Business Travel Sales Manager

SUMMARY:

The Business Travel Sales Manager works within the property and develops and establishes the best relationships with business travel agents, domestically and internationally, to be the point of contact for BT (local and national), consortia, and government markets. Responsibilities include ensuring travel is negotiated with the best conditions and rates. Responsible for optimizing our travel operations, managing, and negotiating provider agreements, and policies, and monitoring travel activity and programs. This role requires strong sales, communication, and networking skills. The ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of customer needs and then apply a disciplined approach to qualify, negotiate, and secure new revenue for the hotel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research, solicit, and generate new leads for transient and group opportunities through database research and proactive sales efforts, maximizing new room revenue streams, to meet and exceed lead generation goals.
• Represent the hotel in the development of market segment(s) and new customer relationships while maintaining existing relations with assigned accounts. Consistently strives to maximize revenue and profitability for all hotel revenue streams.
• Develop a business strategy by analyzing historical, current, and future hotel and market trends, and implementing marketing initiatives to capture the maximum amount of lead revenue to meet and exceed sales goals.
• Maintain an up-to-date pipeline of business opportunities that will meet the short and long-term business objectives for the designated market.
• Represent the hotel in all interactions dealing with their customers relative to sales, including creating business proposals and executing contracts.
• Conduct site inspections through masterful storytelling with prospective and existing customers based on their individual needs.
• Coordinate customer specifications (including room, food, and beverage and meeting space requirements) via an identified lead management system. Enter and maintain pertinent account and booking information in Delphi FDC following defined standards.
• Research, solicit, and generate new leads for business opportunities through database research and proactive sales efforts, maximizing new room revenue and meeting and exceeding lead generation goals.
• Create and execute a plan to shift share from your competitors.
• Negotiate contracts and commission agreements with end-user customers and intermediaries.
• Travel and attend tradeshows for industry-related events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 3 years experience in the travel industry.
• Knowledge of travel management processes.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with vendors of direct travel (existing relationships may be advantageous).
• Demonstrate proven decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to calmly work with high demand and/or upset guests.
• Ability to maintain excellent relationships with staff and always maintain staff and guest confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION:

• A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management is preferred.
• Certification in travel or hospitality may be advantageous.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish (preferred).

REASONING ABILITY:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with guests, associates, and external partners.
• Ability to work well under pressure and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This job is primarily performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently inspect inside and outside areas of the property location and may be exposed to ongoing construction and various weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment may range from moderate to loud.

The above job description describes the primary duties and qualifications for this position. The company reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and other duties as necessary.