Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing

Paragon Hotel Company - Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing Job Description:

The Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing position will be based out of the Paragon Hotel Corporate offices in Anderson, SC. and will report to the Vice President of Operations. The chosen candidate will primarily be responsible and accountable for all top line revenue for all PHC managed hotels and will oversee all sales and marketing efforts for these hotels; develop annual sales and marketing plans and budgets; assist in development of sales goals; provide ongoing training to Area Directors of Sales and Sales Managers in PHC programs and systems; participate in development of property rates and revenue management; participate in personal sales calls with each property's staff and active involvement with key volume producers at each property.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• A four-year college degree or equivalent education/experience.

• 5 years if hotel sales experience as Director of Sales & Marketing.

• Proven track record of successfully exceeding revenue goals.

• Knowledge of Sales Methodologies and Revenue Management.

• Proven leadership and Management skills.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Publisher.

• Knowledge of Sales Pro, Travelclick  Agency 360/Demand360.

• Ability to travel 80% of the time.

Essential Functions:

General:

• Lead the sales team in an effort to solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat business through various efforts (outside sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, referrals, networking, etc...) to maximize room revenue to meet/exceed goals.

• Negotiate and manage room rates, dates and space for groups/accounts at specific properties as assigned;

• Participates in sales calls with members of the Sales and Marketing team to acquire new business and/or close on business.

• Prepare and review forecasts, period and month-end reports and various banquet and catering reports to continually assess the food & beverage/room rental productivity against the budget, plan and market place.

• Use professional sales techniques to negotiate the best possible terms and conditions that satisfy customer (internal and external) requirements.

• Monitors the effective resolution of guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process by creating mechanisms to channel issues to property leadership and/or other appropriate stakeholders.

• Maintains successful sales performance by increasing revenues, controlling expenses and providing a return on investment for the owner and Hotels

• Manage all sales segments on a company wide basis; ensuring that key accounts and contacts are aware of and utilizing our entire portfolio as applicable.

• Ensure that the company sales guidelines, both market specific and total hotel are adhered to in order to drive overall revenue and meet/exceed goals.

• Notify/coordinate customer specifications with other departments and quickly, efficiently respond to customer issues, comments and problems to ensure a quality experience and enhance future sales prospects.

• Maintain accurate, legible records and files to provide group history, ensure future and current quality service and enhance future prospects.

• Ensure that you are prepared for all weekly revenue calls and one on one meetings and clearly communicate the actions being taken to satisfy the needs of the hotels.

• If applicable, implements the brand's service strategy and pertinent brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process and focuses on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of the hotel's' sales objectives.

• If applicable, work to ensure that all current structures are maintained and brand standards met.

• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned and participate in task forces and committees as requested by management strategic

• Develop a marketing strategy by analyzing historical, current and future hotel/market trends and creating selling strategies to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet/exceed sales goals.

• Use internal and external resources and data to develop strategic plans to incorporate all business segments

• Reviews the Strategic Alignment Review (STAR) report, competitive shopping reports and uses other resources to maintain an awareness of the hotel's market position.

• Researches competitor's sales team strategies to identify ways to grow occupancy and RevPAR and increase market share.

• Serves as the property sales liaison with Corporate Sales, Revenue Management, E-Commerce and other hotel departments as appropriate.

• Prepare and maintain a current annual marketing plan with measurable and specific initiatives detailed to maintain and grow each business segment.

Community Relations

• Develops strong community and public relations by maintaining property participation in local, regional and national organizations, tradeshows and client events.

• Develop and continually enhance relationships with key corporate, business and travel industry accounts to maintain and increase our market share.

• If applicable, manage brand relationships to ensure that every revenue opportunity is recognized and the hotel receive proper brand support.

Leadership

• Provides day to day leadership to sales associates to achieve property sales objectives with overall responsibility for achieving booking goals and property revenues.

• Sets goals and expectations for direct reports that align performance and rewards, addresses performance issues and holds staff accountable for successful results.

• Partners with Human Resources to attract, develop and retain the right people in order to support the strategic priorities of the market.

• Forecasts talent needs and manages talent acquisition strategy with Human Resources to minimize lost time due to turnover.