Director Sales

Compensation Type: Yearly Highgate Hotels:

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.

With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands.

Location:

The Westin Arlington Gateway is perfectly located two blocks from the Ballston Metro Station, offering guests the convenience of reaching the nation's Capital in just minutes. See historic monuments and museums, shop trendy Georgetown, slip in a round of golf after your meetings, or enjoy a day in DuPont Circle just a metro ride away. The hotel features 338 modern guestrooms (including 14 suites) with modern amenities.

Overview
The Director of Sales & Marketing is primarily responsible for leading & driving top line revenue strategy for traditional sales related segments to include group, volume transient & catering. The individual is additionally responsible for staying ahead of market trends, market share movement and ongoing competitive hotel analysis, while directing the property sales teams (rooms & catering) to insure budgeted revenues are met or exceeded. The Director of Sales & Marketing is also responsible for developing and implementing a marketing communications plan designed to achieve the desired positioning for the hotel, as well as managing the sales and marketing budget that supports revenue attainment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for leading & driving top line revenue for traditional sales segments to include group, volume transient & catering.
• Assesses & reacts to market trends, market share & the competitive hotel environment.
• Develops and implements a marketing communications plan designed to achieve the desired positioning of the hotel, as well as manage the sales & marketing budget that supports all initiatives.
• Act as the hotel's voice of the customer and communicate key issues/concerns at all levels of the organization.
• Fluent in reading/assimilating/using Smith Travel Research data, financial P&L, mix of sales, forecasting, group pace/position & a wide array of traditional hotel reporting.
• Ability to understand and communicate market trends, demand generators, supply/demand and economic factors affecting hotel performance.
• Conduct comprehensive competitive set reviews, SWOT analysis & keep tabs on new supply.
• Understand GEO source & ability to develop a plan to penetrate the primary markets.
• Develop/implement key segment strategy & managing key accounts (both existing & target).
• Design effective sales deployment schemes & market assignments.
• Develop sales goals designed to achieve budget & market share targets.
• Manage group pace measurement and set sales production goals.
• Manage sales activity & travel schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Marketing
• At least 3 years' experience as a sales leader, with prior hotel sales experience.
• Experience dealing with/communicating with ownership groups and asset management.
• Proficient in managing/using sales automation (DELPHI) & PMS systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with revenue management.
• Well rounded knowledge of all market segments and channel sources, as well as ability to develop a strategic plan for each.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to direct, lead, train, motivate & drive a direct sales team; and develop a cooperative & competitive team spirit & winning attitude.
• Must be proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines