Cluster Dir Sales & Marketing A

About the Role

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing A to lead the sales department for properties with significant booking volumes and local catering revenue in Makkah. This full-time role involves managing both reactive and proactive sales efforts, providing leadership to sales associates, and ensuring the achievement of booking goals and property revenues. The Cluster Director will implement brand service strategies, build long-term customer relationships, and manage the marketing budget to drive revenue.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic account plans for demand generators in the market.
• Oversee the property's reactive and proactive sales initiatives.
• Determine and develop marketing communication activities in collaboration with Regional Marketing Communications.
• Provide customer intelligence by evaluating market and economic trends to adjust sales strategies.
• Review STAR reports and competitive shopping reports to maintain awareness of market position.
• Research competitor sales strategies to identify opportunities for occupancy, RevPAR growth, and market share increase.
• Attend sales strategy meetings and provide input on weekly and overall sales strategy.
• Suggest innovative marketing ideas and develop deployment strategies to grow market share.
• Serve as the primary sales contact for the General Manager, property leadership, Group Sales, and Area Sales leaders.
• Act as the hotel authority on sales processes and contracts.
• Participate in sales calls to acquire new business and close deals.
• Identify public relations opportunities and coordinate activities to enhance the overall marketing communication strategy.
• Execute and support Marriott’s Customer Service Standards and hotel’s Brand Standards.
• Manage the operational aspects of booked business, including proposal generation and contract writing.
• Monitor the resolution of guest issues arising from the sales process.
• Maintain successful performance by increasing revenues and controlling expenses.
• Interface with regional marketing communications for regional and national promotions.

Building Relationships

• Develop strong partnerships with local organizations to increase brand and product awareness.
• Manage internal key stakeholder relationships effectively.
• Foster community and public relations through participation in local, regional, and national tradeshows and client events.
• Deliver exemplary customer service to drive satisfaction and loyalty by understanding customer needs and recommending appropriate features and services.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead the property’s sales department, focusing on properties with over 300 peak rooms and significant local catering revenue.
• Develop sales goals and strategies aligned with the brand business strategy.
• Execute sales strategies to meet individual and team booking goals.
• Coach leaders of revenue-generating departments in developing effective revenue strategies.
• Ensure the sales team leverages Marriott International demand engines to their full potential.
• Partner with Human Resources to attract, develop, and retain talent.
• Set goals and expectations for direct reports using the Leadership Performance Process (LPP).
• Forecast talent needs and manage talent acquisition strategies with HR.
• Champion leadership development and workforce planning priorities.
• Identify, train, and mentor group sales associates, utilizing available on-the-job training tools.
• Provide daily leadership to sales associates to achieve property sales objectives.
• Manage the marketing budget for property-specific campaigns, promotions, and collateral.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates for this role should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience in sales and marketing leadership within the hospitality sector. The position requires a proven ability to manage complex sales efforts, lead a team, and achieve revenue targets for properties with substantial booking volumes.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Makkah. The role involves leading a dynamic sales department and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives.