Task Force Sales Manager

The Task Force Sales Manager serves as an acting sales manager at hotels in transition across the Naples Hotel Group portfolio. This role requires frequent travel to properties to provide sales leadership and hands-on support in areas such as group sales, function room & banquet sales, and corporate/ business travel sales. The Task Force Sales Manager plays a key role in stabilizing the sales department, ensuring continuity of client service and NHG standards during periods of change. The Task Force Sales Manager is responsible for achieving the revenue goals set forth by the VP of Sales & Marketing. Success will be measured by top line revenue performance, hotel’s market penetration index, conversion of new business, ability to maintain relationships with existing clients, and increased customer value and ROI.

Essential duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Sales:

• Execute strategic sales plans to positively affect revenues within assigned hotel or portfolio of hotels
• Aggressively solicit new business across Business Transient, Group Sales, and Banquets & Catering segments
• Conduct site tours for potential clients
• Implement strategic account management; develop multiple contacts, research/qualify various departments and divisions within the organization for full account qualification
• Review brand reports and tools to assist in identifying potential business targets within the market
• Utilize the Kalibri Hummingbird tool to create a sales account pipeline/target account list
• Research and understand the sales pipeline and target account list(s) of the prior salesperson and follow-up immediately
• Fully qualify all accounts utilizing current sales resources
• Be aware of new business opportunities in and around your market; monitor through local newspapers, business journals, trade publications, internet resources, and Google Alerts, etc.
• Attend Sales Training & Trade Shows as scheduled
• Networking with organizations that will assist with the development of future opportunities

Sales & Communication:

• Collaborate with operations and revenue management to deliver revenue results: constant communication with General
• Manager, On Property Sales Coordinator, Regional Sales Team, and Revenue Management
• Be familiar with competitors and their selling strategies. Recognize what opportunities exist to move market share from the competitors
• Accurately communicate details on accounts to the operating departments as needed
• Understand the hotel’s operations, including room types, meeting capacities, services, features, and benefits ü Involvement with Front Line training, including Front Desk staff and On-Site Coordinators, as it pertains to generating leads for the sales office, proper handling of billing and reservations, etc. 
• Communicate with Revenue Management to ensure that pricing is appropriate and adjust selling strategies as needed 
• Maintain consistent verbal and written communication with clients
• Respond to all customer inquiries within 4 business hours 
• Participate in the sales transition meeting during the transitional process from one salesperson to another 
• Provide the incoming salesperson with a full update on recent sales activities, required follow-up, warm leads, and other information as assigned by the VP of Sales. 

Sales Administration:

• Complete sales activities for assigned hotel(s) as outlined by the VP of Sales 
• Enter all sales activities in Delphi.fdc. Commit to 100% adoption and update account information daily 
• Compile and complete weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports ü Complete annual Business Plan(s) when assignments dictate 
• Observe and strategize according to prime selling time 
• Monthly mileage and expense reports 
• Overall knowledge of the brands and maintain compliance 

Corporate Support: 

• Participate, as requested, in the planning and implementation of Naples Hotel Group sales policies and programs 
• Participate in company-wide sales efforts, trade shows, corporate meetings, and any other event or activity deemed to be in line with the overall revenue goals 
• Allocate both dedicated and shared sales resources to achieve maximum revenue return on invested sales dollars by focusing efforts on those customers who are the most profitable
• Perform other duties or tasks assigned by the Company 

Travel:

• Overnight travel is required, up to 100% of the time, and includes extended stays at assigned property. 
• This position will be based primarily at a property within the Company’s management portfolio. 
• During periods when there is not an on-property assignment, the TFSM will work out of the NHG Corporate Office. 
• Travel home during on-property assignments is permitted. The VP of Sales & Marketing determines the schedule.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the sales/marketing/hospitality profession. This includes knowledge required for management of people, complex problems and efficient sales activities. Make decisions within the standards of the position, which can impact more than one department. Must possess highly developed communication skills to frequently present, negotiate, convince, sell, and influence other managerial personnel, hotel guests and/or corporate clients.

Standard Qualifications:

• Four-year degree or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of hotel sales experience in a branded hotel
• Ability to read, write and speak English, with excellent grammar and communication skills (written and verbal)

Additional Qualifications:

• Capable of handling multiple hotels’ sales and marketing
• Travel required: overnight travel for up to 100% of the time.
• Hours Required: this is a salaried position; 40-50 hours per week is required
• Available to meet guests outside the scope of regular business hours
• Well organized and detail-oriented
• Must be able to work independently and multitask, prioritizing as appropriate
• Display initiative, perseverance and analytical skills
• Team player and ability to get along with others
• Must have the ability to communicate issues and concerns at all levels of the organization
• Must have planning and problem-solving skills that include the ability to tie strategies and planning actions to results
• Requires working knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook 
• Must be able to scan and assess competitive arena to refine/improve customer value proposition Excellent customer service skills: the ability to manage the customer decision and relationship process

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; bend; walk; use hands or finger; or feel objects, tools or controls; lift boxes (up to 15 pounds); talk and hear. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision to a computer screen.

OTHER Requirements: 

• Employee must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available). 
• Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by Naples Hotel Group from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Employees with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. 
• Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with Naples Hotel Group rules and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of the hotel facilities. Employees who violate hotel rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.