Senior Group Sales Manager

Group Sales Manager at The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown

Essential Job Function and Purpose

Proactively solicit and book group events, meetings and room block to enable the hotel to meet and/or exceed revenue goals in sleeping rooms and food and beverage. Send proposals on all leads that fit the profile of the property and actively follow through to convert from proposal to definite status.

The ideal candidate for this position is a standout go-getter with a proven track record of creative selling strategies and a collaborative closing mindset. The candidate must be a highly communicative, meticulously organized team player who possesses a positive, problem-solving attitude and a passion for innovation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Soliciting and negotiating new accounts through phone, direct sales calls, sales blitzes, hotel tours and internet prospecting.
• Manager will be responsible for booking sleeping rooms and event space as requested.
• Nurturing and growing client relationships through upselling and proactive customer service, including sales calls, entertainment and FAM trips.
• Planning, organizing and managing sales aspects of events and room blocks from conception including contract negotiations, contract composition, profitability, site visits and re-solicitation.
• Ensuring MCR Sales Standard Operating Procedures are followed and completed accurately.
• Generating monthly SMART plans and aiding with the preparation of weekly sales reports.
• Identifying and acting on business opportunities through a constant pursuit of knowledge about market trends, competition and customers.
• Maintaining an accurate, organized and up-to-date file management system in order to quickly and effectively meet clients’ needs; utilizing trace all daily sales activities and correspondence with clients to ensure prompt responses.
• Developing key relationships within the community to strengthen and expand the customer base.
• Exemplifying customer service by interacting with guests before, during and after all events in a professional, courteous and ethical manner to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
• Collaborating with the MCR operations team to develop and implement cutting-edge, comprehensive plans for groups and events.
• Overseeing the sales efforts for the hotel: leading by example and mentoring team members to effectively implement smart strategies.
• Must be able to communicate accurately and effectively in verbal and written form with guests and associates so as to respond accurately and completely to people to give directions, instructions, information, answer questions and provide service as required.
• Working to continuously improve customer service by integrating obtained feedback and personal judgment into action plans.
• Talking and listening to clients demonstrating excellent sales skills by knowing and selling product in a professional and courteous manner.
• Understands the overall market (e.g., competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand) and how to sell against them.
• Responsible for hosting creative site visits when appropriate with a focus on closure.
• Acting as a strategic business partner internally to maximize profits and externally to ensure client objectives are met. 

Sales Manager Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience in the Group Sales for a Full Service/Luxury hotel.
• Marriott brand experience preferred
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with industry-specific systems, such as CI/TY, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Apps
• Excellent time management, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills and customer service experience
• An aptitude for self-motivation
• A can-do attitude and a hands-on approach to client management
• A flexible schedule that allows you to be available days, nights, holidays and weekends based on the demands of the hotel and clients
• The ability and desire to attend travel trade shows and hotel industry-related events

Our Company

• MCR is the 3rd-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States.
• Founded in 2006, our company has offices in New York City, Dallas, Chicago, and Richmond, Virginia.
• MCR has a $5.0 billion portfolio of 148 premium-branded hotels containing more than 22,000 guestrooms across 37 states and 106 cities.
• MCR has more than 7,000 team members across the country and operates hotels under 9 Marriott brands, 8 Hilton brands and a number of unflagged independent hotels.
• MCR was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Travel Companies of 2020.
• MCR is a three-time recipient of the Marriott Partnership Circle Award, the highest honor Marriott presents to its owner and franchise partners, and a recipient of the Hilton Legacy Award for Top Performer.
• For the TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK Airport, MCR won the Development of the Year (Full Service) Award at The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), the Urban Land Institute New York Excellence in Hotel Development Award and the American Institute of Architects national Architecture Award, the highest honor given by the AIA

What we offer/What’s in it for you?

• Hotel Discounts
• Weekly Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Options
• Referral bonuses
• Career advancement & upward mobility
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance- available after 30 days of employment for full-time team members