Job Ref: SEG1365
Branch: Slieve Donard Resort Spa
Location: Slieve Donard Resort Spa, Newcastle
Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Shift pattern: To be agreed
Hours per week: 40
Posted date: 10/02/2023
Closing date: 26/02/2023
Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, the magnificent Slieve Donard Resort and Spa stands in six acres of immaculate private grounds. A golden strand of beach borders one side while the mighty Royal County Down golf course frames the other. This lovingly maintained Victorian hotel is home to one of Europe’s finest resort Spas and is perfect for a short break, residential conference or grand event. Now part of the Marine and Lawn portfolio there has never been a more exciting time to join our Team.
The Opportunity
The successful candidate will:
- Drive revenue and market share through focus on new business development and key customer relationship management at a national and international level.
- Drive segments according to the strategy set out by the RDOS, DOS and DBD.
- Represent sales at key commercial meetings where there the DOS and or GM are not able to attend.
Position Summary:
Planning Activities 25%
- Researches and helps to identify business opportunities and reports findings to management accordingly
- Manages objectives for the market segments or projects assigned in line with the sales strategy.
- Supports Director of Sales and GM in drawing up the sales action plan of the respective segments and drawing up of sales targets on the basis of an exact market analysis and with the aim of optimal room occupancy and high accommodation revenues
- Assist with the development, design and calculation of market relevant offers for individual customers, travel agents and companies with the support of the Director of Sales and GM
- Planning, co-ordination and implementing of all sales trips in the designated territory by agreement with the Director of Sales GM
- Participates in industry events and represents the hotel /or region at national and international specialist trade fairs and workshops, agreed by the RDOS, DOS GM
- Identification of potential new accounts and assuring the corresponding sales activities to win these customers
- Follow up on leads from any source
- Propose and agree new and existing business contracts
- Manage a given portfolio of clients on a proactive basis
- Maintain and grow client relationships
- Increase the revenue and market share for portfolio of managed accounts.
- Conduct and create product awareness initiatives with customers
- Manage RFP Process
- Create accurate written quotations and confirmations for clients in line with department standards.
- Assist with conversion
- Conduct Telesales Initiatives
- Keep all systems and business processes updated as appropriate
Organising Activities 25%
- Works with key stakeholders and departments structuring activities and resources so overall objectives are met.
- Communicates sales plans and project activities to department.
- Evaluates and streamlines business processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
- Manages cross-functional links with other departments hotels.
- Adheres to measurements required to ensure overall effectiveness.
- Co-ordination and implementation of the segment sales activities and strategy with the aim of optimal room occupancy and high accommodation revenues, together with concern of the costs involved and in line with the hotel business.
- Develops relationships and partnerships with key accounts, prospective accounts and other accounts in the determined territory or beyond if not yet allocated within the sales team.
- Maintains and develops the production of Key Accounts through Total Account Management.
- Develops Key Prospect Accounts to Key Accounts within a year through monitoring the share given to the hotel compared to the competition.
- Plans regular visits to accounts
- Organises and executes FAM trips for clients.
- To present the hotel in a professional manner towards negotiating partners in line with our values.
- To reach agreed goals and to deliver incremental revenue for the hotel.
Directing Activities 25%
- Communicates important information to team members.
- Manages third parties and identifies vendors
- Leverages effective partnerships with third parties and internal constituents.
- Advises management on progress and key performance issues.
- Generates leads for the hotels, monitoring the offers and getting actively involved in the follow up to increase conversion in close cooperation with the Events and Reservation departments.
Controlling Activities 25%
- Oversees proper controls and systems.
- Owns and manages projects and processes as required.
- Ensures established performance standards are met for department or project.
- Assesses actual performance to ensure success and takes corrective actions.
- Ensures business plan is followed and achieved providing feedback as necessary.
- Enforces policies and procedures to improve overall operations and effectiveness.
- Ensure Terms Conditions negotiated with customers are checked / validated by Legal
- Operates within prescribed budget parameters.
- Support Director of Sales and GM to ensure accurate communication of sales promotions and information that relevant people in each hotel receives copies.
- Coordinate any required administrative work in terms of reporting of figures, account forecasts and drawing up account development plans within the time frame given and the quality expected.
- Ensures permanent observation of the market and competitors, involvement in drawing up analysis of competitors (rates, trends, customers, product changes) and market statistics, to be shared with the team and Director of Sales.
Supportive Functions
In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the particular requirements of the company.
- Support Director of Sales and GM in monitoring of sales results.
- Takes part in Communication Meetings on a regular basis as determined by the Director of Sales or GM and lead if necessary.
- Support Director of Sales and GM in maintaining standards, revise these regularly and guarantee that these are upheld through targeted training.
- Updates Sales Manual and other department related documents.
- Involvement in supporting Director of Sales and GM in department target setting for self and team.
- Submit weekly sales call reports and future week activity plan as per the defined reporting standards as determined by the Director of Sales and GM.
- Establish account development plans on a yearly basis.
- Communication - proactively and precisely with the hotel teams and other stakeholders.
- Carry out product trainings for service centre agents or travel agencies on behalf of the hotel or region.
- Communication of special promotions after approval of Director of Sales and GM, ensuring that relevant people in each hotel receives copies.
- Ensure maintenance of accurate and comprehensive and updated rate and special promotions summary sheet and distribute monthly.
- Issue special forms for any brochure contribution or marketing agreements ensuring that relevant people in sales department receives copies.
- Comply with all policies, systems and procedures as laid down by the Regional Director of Sales, Director of Sales relevant GM/HM.
- The management reserves the right to change/extend this statement if necessary, at any point of time during her/his employment.
- The holder of this statement can be asked to take on other tasks in addition of the ones stated, in a reasonable framework.
- Additional supportive functions as appropriate.
What we are looking for
- A minimum of 2 years experience as a Sales Manager in the hospitality industry
- Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing
- Ability to analyse departmental financial data
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build trust and confidence in order to motivate and influence others
- Demonstrates the highest standards of ethical behaviour and absolute discretion with sensitive information
- Ability to take initiative to identify, prioritise and implement actions required to achieve functional goals
- Strong problem solving skills including ability to address any issue in collaboration with others, identify and prevent potential problems and develop problem solving skills in others
- Ability to work well under pressure and effectively handle multiple and concurrent demands
- Ability to collaborate with others and act in an objective manner to stay on track to achieve common goals
- Ability to quickly learn new programs and train others
- Strong project management skills including ability to manage details through to completion and ensure deadlines are met
- Knowledge of microsoft systems to include Excel, Powerpoint, Word
- Knowledge of CRM systems, ideally Delphi and Salesforce
- Open minded, creative, entrepreneurial and uses initiative to resolve issues
- Understands the importance of the quality of communication (written verbal) skills sufficient to produce sales communication that reflects the hotel and brand image in a dignified form towards customers and negotiating partners.
- To be motivated, committed and enthusiastic, seizing opportunities to learn new skills or knowledge in order to improve personal performance
- To maintain a high level of professionalism in dealings with customers, face to face and on the telephone and ready to take calculated risks
- To maintain team focus by showing co-operation and support to colleagues in the pursuit of department goals
- University degree or equivalent or experience in lieu
- Fluent in English, verbal and writing skills
Desirable
- Pro-active sales within the MICE segment
- Experience working at a regional, national and international level direct with clients, PCO’s, agents and DMCs
- Background in 4 or 5 star hotels within the island or Ireland or UK market
The Perks
- Hybrid role
- Enrolment in pension from Day 1 for all eligible team members
- Meal on each shift in a dedicated team member area
- Access to everyday discounts from high street retailers
- Car Parking
- Discounted hotel room rates for you and your family across the portfolio (TC’s apply)
- Refer a Friend Scheme – just by putting a good word in for a friend you could earn some extra cash
- Incentive schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Team Celebration Awards
- Access to participating in healthcare plans and insurance plans – just in case
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to recruitment practices that do not discriminate against any job applicant because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. We value diverse cultures, ideas, and people as part of our core DNA.
Right to Work
In line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, we do require all applicants to have the eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom. Documentation will be required at interview stage.
About us
Marine Lawn Hotels Resorts is a collection of bespoke hotels in the world’s most distinguished golfing destinations. Nestled along some of the most coveted courses across the globe, each of our properties offer unforgettable travel experiences inspired in the history and legacy of the once-in-a-lifetime destinations they call home. Here, we invite locals, neighbours, and international guests alike to embrace the beauty of where land meets sea as they embark upon a journey rooted in service, storytelling, and adventure. For more information visit www.marineandlawn.com.
Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, the magnificent Slieve Donard Resort and Spa stands in six acres of immaculate private grounds. A golden strand of beach borders one side while the mighty Royal County Down golf course frames the other. This lovingly maintained Victorian hotel is home to one of Europe’s finest resort Spas and is perfect for a short break, residential conference or grand event.