Area Director of Group Sales

Company Description

A destination retreat on the banks of the Kiawah River surrounded by miles of golden spartina grass, giant oak trees, and shallow marsh flats. Cool breezes blow through cottage-inspired guest rooms and river-view cabanas overlooking vast expanses of marshland. Large furnished porches offer a peaceful oasis to hear the whistles of Carolina wren as you page through a good book and enjoy the simple pleasures of island life. The main lodge is the heart of the resort where you can rock in wicker chairs on the wraparound wooden porch or enjoy cocktails from a riverside pool cabana as the sun sets over the marsh savannahs. Evoking the spirit of old-time summer retreats, The Dunlin’s 72 cottage-style guest rooms overlook the glittering Kiawah River. Designed by Amanda Lindroth, inside you’ll find honey oak floors, white beadboard walls, and mint green and wicker accents that nod to classic southern style, while deep soaking tubs, built-in closets, and linen fabrics stamped with signature prints add an atmosphere of home.

Just 20 miles from Charleston, The Dunlin is only a 45-minute drive from Charleston International Airport.

Job Description

The Area Director of Group Sales is responsible for identifying and sourcing group business following the collection’s strategic plan to maximize room revenue during peak and non-peak periods.  The Area Director of Group Sales reports directly to the Director of Sales and works closely with each hotel’s revenue manager to ensure that the group sales strategy is in line with the property's business needs.  The Area Director of Group Sales manages a team of Sales Managers & Coordinators. The position currently represents two Auberge Resorts properties in Napa - Stanly Ranch & Solage.

•  Oversee account and production goals in the assigned region.
•  Support the collection revenue goals by generating group business at each hotel.
•  Provide direction, coaching, and leadership to a seasoned sales team·
•  Organize and schedule direct sales efforts via phone, email, and in person.
•  Evaluate and initiate opportunities for developing new sources of business.
•  Assist in planning and leading sales execution of a 12-month strategic business plan for each property
• Lead daily calls and business Reviews, support and participate in weekly Revenue Management Calls monthly conference calls, and property specific calls as needed. 
• Demonstrate financial and contract acumen and coach team members for effective negotiation.
• Curate and conduct site visits to showcase property and experience
• Keep department heads informed of problems to ensure prompt correction and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Liaise with the property Events Team to ensure objectives are met.
• Establish appropriate remote workstation, responding in a timely fashion to all inquiries. 
• Represent the Sales Team at Operations Meetings for each property (attend 1 per month minimum for each property).
• Provide positive, proactive engagement with the property hotel General Managers.
• Establishes initiatives and executes direct sales objectives to promote the Auberge Resorts brand.
• Evaluates promotional events, trade shows, community, and industry events to make sure attendance produces the proper return on investments
• Maintain customer, trade, industry, and staff relations and work with tourism organizations to maximize regional opportunities and buying powers.
• Target key accounts to host familiarization trips to increase ROI.
• Perform other duties as directed, developed or assigned.

Required Skills:

• Ability to negotiate, convince, sell, and influence group business decision makers and influencers.
• Ability to research and identify top prospects for growth of an existing account and develop new accounts.
• Ability to be self-motivated and achieve goals with minimal direct supervision.
• Knowledge of sales procedures associated with the hotel industry.
• Excellent spoken, presentation, written and listening skills sufficient to produce sales and marketing communication.
• Ability to present clear, concise and meaningful information to owners, guests, executives, managers and employees.
• Ability to effectively work independently and with a team from a remote sales office by presenting information in one on one, small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and understand financial data.
• Ability to maintain a high level of organization.
• Ability to embody the company's mission, vision and culture.
• Ability to use systems and equipment including personal computer, fax machine, copier, calculator, Google Suite, property management system, and other software/machinery as required.