Now Hiring - DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport - Director of Sales and Marketing in Sarasota, FL

Full description of the position

The DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport is currently seeking a driven, strong leader to serve as our opening Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM).

The hotel will be opening as one of Manatee County’s top upscale, full service properties, and the premier property near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, in late 2023.

Currently, the hotel is open as Holiday Inn Sarasota-Airport. A 135-room, boutique, unique property with a six-story atrium, glass elevators, lobby waterfall, onsite sports bar, and full-service catering facilities, the hotel already boasts a long history as a market leader.

ROLE:

The DOSM will be responsible overseeing all of the hotel’s top-line revenue efforts, helping to set strategy and marketing efforts across all distribution channels. These efforts must be employed to consistently exceed market share as measured by STR reports, maximize profitability, and secure repeat business through outstanding customer service. The DOSM will also directly handle all new and existing accounts, as well as the contracting of group and catering business.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Major brand hotel sales experience. Hilton and upscale full-service backgrounds are strongly preferred
• Local Sarasota/Bradenton market experience strongly preferred
• Associates/Bachelor's degree strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Delphi or other sales systems strongly preferred
• Analytic abilities to make sound pricing decisions
• Exceptional guest service
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responding to all inbound inquiries from prospective clients and electronic Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Preparing detailed, accurate proposals, contracts, confirmations, and invoices for rooms and catering business
• Conducting site tours of the property
• Tracking the activities of the competition and the hotel’s position in the local market in order to identify the business’ strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/treats and take appropriate action
• Routine prospecting for new business along with regular, documented sales calls (outside calls, site visits, phone and email solicitations/follow ups, and networking events) to uncover and capture new business
• Serving as the main face of the property by being involved in the community and participating in industry organizations, especially the local convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and chambers
• Working with the GM and Revenue Management team to yield leisure / transient business across all distribution channels
• Directly handling all negotiated, crew, and group market segments to ensure optimal mix of business year-round
• Informing the operations team of upcoming Meetings and Banquets, and working with them to ensure high customer satisfaction
• Using Delphi to build and maintain customer account files
• Tracking the production of all contract business and negotiated accounts for regular reevaluation
• Securing proper payment and deposits when confirming business to protect the hotel from billing disputes and non-payment
• Documenting all sales calls to report to ownership and the GM on request
• Monitoring client satisfaction through regular follow-up
• Occasionally acting as Manager on Duty in the absence of the General Manager. The average workweek will require a minimum of 50 hours, and may include nights, weekends, holidays, as well as workweeks exceeding 5 days.

POLICIES:

Responsible for following all hotel policies and procedures as set forth in our Employee Handbook, maintaining a professional image for the hotel both internally and in the community.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The DOSM will occasionally act as Manager on Duty for the entire hotel.

Prior experience handing interviewing, hiring, and training; monitoring and appraising employee work performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and resolving problems is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

All employees must follow proper safety precautions at all times.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and reach arms. The employee is occasionally required to pull or lift over 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision and ability to adjust focus.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive starting wages based
• Competitive bonus structure
• Dental and Vision
• Paid PTO
• Referral program
• Hotel discounts

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person