Now Hiring - Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts - Director of Sales in Colorado Springs, CO

The Director of Sales is a key position within the hotel responsible for acquiring and maintaining a solid base of customers ensuring the hotels continued success and profitability. The Director of Sales is also responsible for managing a team of sales professionals serving as a strong and motivating leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for acquiring and maintaining a solid base of customers and for attaining a high occupancy and level of profitability.
• Actively seek high revenue accounts and work to maintain a high level of business.
• Productivity will be evaluated against room night and revenue goals set by the General Manager, and based upon a written, approved action plan.
• Provides all operations areas up-to-date information about promotions and specific accounts.
• Acquire and maintain a solid base of accounts towards attaining the property’s budgeted profit levels.
• The development of a comprehensive property marketing plan and annual sales forecast.
• Solicit sales for the property through planned, personal calls and telephone solicitations to local trade and professional associations/corporations, travel agents, as well as other local and state organizations that could result in potential business for the hotel.
• Provide operations staff up-to-the-minute information regarding promotions and specific accounts.
• Prepare written sales call report on all outside calls made each week, and furnish copies to the General Manager.
• Prepare a report of all tentative or definite business booked during each week and furnish copies to the General Manager. Provide a list of all cancelled business, giving reason for loss.
• Maintain an updated sales filing system which includes an efficient file and central trace system, an up-to-date account history and a means for sending correspondence to customers / prospects without delay.
• Follow-up on all meeting and banquet functions with the customer contact person and solicit future business.
• Participate in department head meetings and report on sales activity for the previous and upcoming weeks.
• Maintain and regularly update files of competitor’s activities, prices, menus, brochures, sales kits, etc.
• Prepare monthly expense report for all expenses involving sales duties. Submit to the General Manager for approval and reimbursement.
• Responsible for third party requests, GoLeads, CVB bids and Hotel Planner.
• Oversee the Sales office and address issues, challenges and problems.
• Assists in training employees on proper upselling techniques.
• Ensure sales staff maintains a professional appearance.
• Follow up on employee issues.
• Work with other departments to ensure successful events.
• Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel.

Required Skills and Experience

• Highly energetic and motivated individual
• Must have strong sales and leadership skills
• 10+ years of sales experience required
• Previous hospitality industry experience preferred but not required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with strong customer/client focus essential
• Self-Starter with ability to work independently and as a team
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment
• Ability to shift and manage multiple priorities
• Results driven focus and ability to work through to completion in a timely manner
• Adaptable to change
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products to include, but not limited to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook
• High level of flexibility regarding overtime during times busy periods as required by the business