Director of Sales and Government Relations📣 Job Ad

About the Role

FAENA is seeking a Director of Sales and Government Relations to lead the commercial strategy and government engagement for Faena Wadi Safar in Riyadh. This position is responsible for driving revenue, cultivating strategic partnerships, and establishing the hotel as a premier destination for luxury travelers, corporate clients, and government entities. Reporting to the General Manager, the role requires a dual focus on commercial growth and navigating the Saudi Arabian government landscape, shaping the hotel's market position from its pre-opening phase through sustained success, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive pre-opening sales strategy covering corporate, MICE, government, leisure, travel trade, and diplomatic segments.
• Set and achieve ambitious revenue targets across rooms, food and beverage, events, and ancillary services.
• Build and manage the hotel's rate strategy, account portfolio, and sales pipeline from inception.
• Lead contract negotiations with key accounts, agencies, and government bodies to secure mutually beneficial agreements.
• Represent Faena Wadi Safar at local and international industry events, roadshows, and trade fairs.
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with government ministries, royal court entities, embassies, and quasi-government institutions.
• Position Faena Wadi Safar as a preferred venue for official state functions, VIP delegations, ministerial meetings, and government-hosted events.
• Identify and secure government room block agreements, long-stay contracts, and event partnerships.
• Collaborate with the General Manager to respond to government RFPs and official invitations for proposals.
• Stay informed about Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives and identify commercial opportunities aligned with national priorities.
• Serve as the hotel's senior representative in engagements with key government entities, including the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Commerce.
• Oversee the hotel's regulatory compliance and licensing requirements in partnership with People & Culture and Finance teams.
• Build and maintain relationships with government contacts to facilitate smooth processing, issue resolution, and proactive communication.
• Monitor the regulatory landscape and brief leadership on changes with operational or commercial implications.
• Build, lead, and mentor the Sales & Government Relations team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and commercial ambition.
• Develop the department's tools, systems, and processes, including CRM management, account planning, and performance tracking.
• Collaborate with Revenue Management, Marketing, and Events teams to align commercial activities with pricing strategy and brand positioning.
• Produce regular sales performance reports, forecasts, and market intelligence for the General Manager and ownership.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A seasoned commercial leader with 8+ years of progressive sales experience in luxury hospitality.
• Proven track record of driving significant revenue growth in pre-opening or repositioning environments.
• Deeply networked within Saudi Arabia's corporate, government, and diplomatic landscape, with existing relationships that translate into commercial opportunities.
• Experienced in managing both high-volume transient accounts and complex, relationship-driven government and institutional business.
• A natural leader who builds and inspires high-performing teams, sets clear expectations, and upholds ambitious standards.
• Strategically minded and data-driven, with the ability to translate market intelligence and performance data into actionable commercial decisions.
• Fluent in Arabic and English, with exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Deeply familiar with Saudi Arabia's government systems and regulatory requirements.
• Possesses the cultural fluency to navigate both the public and private sectors with confidence and discretion.
• Aligned with Faena's brand vision, passionate about luxury, design, and delivering extraordinary experiences that go beyond hospitality.

Required Skills

• Sales Strategy
• Revenue Generation
• Government Relations
• Luxury Hospitality Sales
• Contract Negotiation
• Relationship Management
• Team Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Market Intelligence
• Regulatory Compliance
• Communication
• Presentation Skills

Work Environment and Location

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, within the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of experience. FAENA offers opportunities for progression within a global family of brands. The company provides learning opportunities to broaden skillsets and development that supports professional growth in an innovative culture.