Senior Sales Manager

SENIOR SALES MANAGER

Reports to: Director of Sales and Catering

Department: Sales

OUR STORY

The Forester Hotel is the natural selection for modern comfort and evolutionary service. Founded on the motto of "Love of Science and Nature", the city of Lake Forest has always been at the crossroads of preservation and progress with its open lands backing up to office parks and the cobblestone streets of historic Market Square leading to Starbucks and Williams Sonoma. We’re blazing new trails with boutique offerings including an upscale bistro bar and over 4,500 square feet of flexible event space.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Sales Manager at The Forester is primarily responsible driving the hotels’ sales and marketing efforts to achieve maximum revenue results and delivering exceptional service to the guests. Increase room night sales and improve market penetration while delivering exceptional financial results. Create solid business relationships with local corporate clients and network with local business associations and chambers of commerce to increase hotel’s visibility in the local communities. S/he will be responsible for exemplifying the Hotel’s Culture and should be service-oriented and outgoing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet and exceed revenue and proactive sales activity goals with a profitable and win-win selling approach
• Maintain hotel relationships with key accounts to increase customer satisfaction and account revenue.
• Capture competitor's accounts through networking, research, and reader board surveys in order to target and solicit those most probable to generate new business.
• Acquires referrals from existing accounts
• Continually targets and prospects for new business independently through telemarketing, individual creativity, community involvement, relationship building and innovation.
• Utilizes yield management techniques by profitably negotiating room rates and function space commitments to enhance the hotel's financial performance.
• Use professional sales techniques and independent judgment to negotiate the best possible terms and conditions that satisfy customer (internal and external) requirements while upholding sales guidelines for the hotel.
• Self-maintains well-documented, accurate, organized, and up-to-date file management system to serve client and employer in the most expedient, organized, and knowledgeable manner.
• Develops strong customer relationships through frequent communication and the use of professional, courteous, and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Promptly follows-up on all customer needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Focuses on revenue-producing activity and maximizes selling time by self-managing dedicated time on direct sales efforts.
• Represents themselves and the hotel with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude always.
• Exhibits a positive and involved team attitude to all hotel departments and maintains open communications with all co-workers for the best overall performance of the hotel.
• Use autonomy to generate quarterly action plans for assigned market segment to drive success for the hotel.
• Contributes to the hotel's overall sales effort during planning and strategy phases through independent research and knowledgeable input.
• Actively participates in those community and trade organizations that most benefit the hotel's exposure to the community and the hotel's bottom line.
• Identify customer business requirements and craft customer offers via proposals and contractual documents.
• Travel locally to conduct outside calls, promote the hotel and review competition. Use independent judgement and market knowledge to determine where to go and whom to visit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong and effective sales skills.

• Highly developed customer service skills.
• Effective business writing and presentation skills.
• Reliable transportation and ability to make outside sales calls.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 3 years of hotel sales experience with a proven track record of success.
• A degree preferably in Sales and/or Hospitality Management is desirable.
• Hyatt operating system experience preferred but not required, such as Opera, Envision, and PrO.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

• 401K with company match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Disability plans
• Life insurance plans
• Parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Paid time off (PTO)/Vacation