Business Travel Sales Manager
Benchmark Hospitality
- Houston, TX
- Permanent
- Full-time
OverviewHouston Marriott Westchase Hotel is looking for an experienced Business Travel Sales Manager that has proven results in targeting and development of business travel accounts in the hospitality industry.As the Business Travel Sales Manager (BTSM) you will be responsible for pursuing and growing our business travel accounts portfolio. Heavy emphasis will be expected on proactive solicitation and account saturation within local and national corporate accounts.The ideal team member will use their exceptional customer service skills to develop relationships with customers directly and with the assistance of the Director of Sales & Marketing, Marriott National Sales Team and Marriott Global Sales Offices. The individual will understand the overall market competitor’s strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand and know how to sell against the competition.JOB DUTIES
- Generate revenue and room nights in the Business Travel Segment.
- Solicit existing and new business to ensure all revenue goals are achieved.
- Create and maintain action plans focused on volume producing/profitable business travel accounts. Focus efforts on key and target accounts with significant potential, including projects and group and catering business.
- Respond to incoming sales leads related to individual business travel.
- Develop reservation maker and in-house guest recognition programs to ensure customer satisfaction and create loyalty
- Identify improvements to enhance the client/guest experience.
- Develop a proficiency of the hotel’s sales policies and selling techniques with emphasis on maximizing occupancy and average daily rate.
- Develop networking opportunities through active participation in professional association and community activities and events.
- Analyze current client base and target market for the hotel using Brand Resources, Travelclick data and Demand 360.
- Create SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities & Threats) analysis as it compares the Houston Marriott Westchase to competitive set hotels.
- Handle annual Request for Proposal (RFP) season negotiations and annual contract renewals.
- Work with existing accounts and conduct quarterly reviews with Travel Managers to ensure accounts are on pace to meet targeted production.
- Build strong relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities to include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.
- Collaborate with Director of Revenue and Sales Management to manage rate positioning.
- Work with other operational departments to communicate details via the new account, account of the month, VIP guest notifications pertaining to arrival/departures, billing, special requests, etc.
- Prepare information for, meet with and entertain clients as deemed appropriate by potential business from that account.
- Coordinate various departments' participation in servicing accounts. Communicate both verbally and in writing to provide clear direction to all departments in the hotel to ensure high quality of service to customers.
- Plan sales trips base on solicitation of existing and potential top producing customer/feeder markets with business to Westchase. Utilize existing relationships as well and relationships with Marriott Sales Executives and Marriott Global Sales Offices.
- Participate in daily business review meetings, training and other sales-related meetings as required.
- Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures and consistently maintain a professional and ethical representation within the Sales and Catering Department.
- Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.
- Firm Hotel or Resort Sales Manager Experience within the last 3 years is required.
- Must have at least Three (3) years of Sales Management experience; Marriott Brand highly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred; a degree in Hospitality Management will be a plus.
- Must have at least Two (2) years of proven success in the development of business travel accounts in the hospitality industry.
- Verifiable track record of team play, accomplishments, and revenue growth.
- Thorough knowledge of Houston market and sales trends.
- Understands how to communicate, negotiate, and network effectively with customers and interdepartmentally.
- Excellent organization and time management skills; meets deadlines.
- Strong quantitative skills
- Must be able to multitask on an on-going basis with ability to prioritize and reprioritize throughout the day/workweek.
- Strong problem resolution skills & ability to perform well under pressure
- Proficiency in all MS Office applications, Google Search, and online networking applications.
- Strong systems knowledge with exposure to some or all of the following applications is ideal; Marriott Sales Systems / C.I.T.Y; Lanyon, Sabre RFP, etc; Star Report; GDS
- Ability to travel if needed.