As the Director of Sports & Entertainment Sales with Waldorf Astoria New York, you will be responsible for curating and delivering extraordinary experiences tailored to the tastes of our discerning clientele in the Sports & Entertainment business.

In this pivotal role, you will blend your expertise in sales strategy with your innate understanding of the sports and entertainment industry and trends to drive revenue growth and exceed targets.

The Director of Sports & Entertainment Sales for Waldorf Astoria New York is responsible for securing transient and group clients and to establish long-term relationships with these clients within the Sports and Entertainment segment.

Responsibilities include: 

• Responsible for total account management of the Sports and Entertainment segment including but not exclusively from Film/TV, Music, Junkets, Sports teams, talent transient and corporate accounts.
• Responds to sales inquiries, initiates new sales, prospects, and qualifies leads and solicits potential clients, conducts hotel site visits and answers questions, determines rates, prepares proposals, negotiates contracts, services accounts and analyzes lost business for the hotel.
• Identifies and acts on business opportunities through a constant pursuit of knowledge about top accounts, market trends, competition and customers.
• Develops and fosters key relationships within the community to strengthen and expand the customer base.
• Create Entertainment Initiatives in specific for, but not limited to, Award Season, Junkets, and other relevant action items.
• Exemplifying customer service by interacting with guests before, during and after all sales phase in a professional, courteous and ethical manner to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
• Develops and implements sales plans and strategies within the entertainment and sports market segment to achieve / exceed budgeted goals on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Evaluate new and incremental business opportunities/promotions to maximize revenue for the hotels.

• Orchestrate quarterly and annual account reviews and market action plans and collaborate with other Directors and Managers to drive production
• Must be able to communicate accurately and effectively in verbal and written form with guests and associates so as to respond accurately and completely to people to give directions, instructions, information, answer questions and provide service as required.
• Negotiates with clients to secure qualified business for the hotel. Works closely with events and reservations team to ensure clients’ needs are met for successful guest experience
• Follows up on assigned sales leads in a timely manner.
• Participation in tradeshows, networking events, and workshops as outlined in annual plans
• Works with various departments to ensure requested services are provided to customers. Servicing when required.

The annual salary range for this role is $150,000 - $160,000 and is based on applicable and specialized experience.

What are we looking for? 

• A minimum of 7-10 years of sales experience in the sports / entertainment market. 
• Previous Five Star/ or Luxury Hotel sales experience 
• Local Sports /Entertainment market knowledge
• Revenue knowledge including rate loading, rate maximization, revenue strategy and reporting
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow up skills to create client loyalty and confidence
• Ability to travel frequently and often
• Ability to translate business needs into what needs to be done; ensures that all work is completed effectively; monitors the progress of work against schedules and budgets; maintains high performance standards.
• Possession of in-depth understanding of global travel in addition to a network of contacts.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work in dynamic and fast-changing environment