Vice President, Sales | Raffles & Orient Express

Company Description

Raffles & Orient Express
Artisan of Travel since 1883 and Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Orient Express and Raffles are two legendary brands, both steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.  

Representing the pinnacle of ultra-luxury hospitality within Accor Group, both brands are currently going through exciting phases of rebirth and expansion.

Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. It’s timeless elegance, refined manners and spirit of generosity ensure that every visitor arrives as a guest, leaves as a friend and returns as family.

Orient Express embodies the refined nomadic spirit of travel, inviting each traveller to a place where the journey is the destination. Bringing awe-inspiring travel experiences to a new generation of adventurers, its exceptional portfolio includes The Orient Express, with its original carriages reimagined as the new embassy of French luxury; Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a train embodying the 'Made in Italy' style; Orient Express Silenseas - the world’s largest sailing ship; and remarkable hotels coming to Rome and Venice.

Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality, both Raffles and Orient Express are focusing on employee journey and growth.

Job Description

The Vice President, Sales is a key revenue-driving leader for Accor’s iconic luxury brands - Raffles & Orient Express - defining and executing the brands’ hotel sales vision, ensuring continued market share growth and revenue growth across segments. The candidate will indirectly lead high-performing on-property sales teams, and partner with Accor’s Global Sales team, to strategize, plan for, and execute sales plans to exceed revenue targets in all sales segments, including but not limited to, leisure group, MICE, corporate negotiated, TMC, luxury consortia, and government. This candidate will prioritize and communicate business needs to the Accor Global Sales team and develop new business on behalf of the properties in the Raffles & Orient Express hotel portfolio. The candidate will lean on his/her stellar network in the luxury travel space to drive property-specific sales plans for top-line success and market share growth across the globe.

Roles and responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies to achieve revenue targets, increase market share, and strengthen hotel presence within the luxury travel sector.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a geographically dispersed group of on-property sales teams, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• In partnership with on-property sales teams and GSO, nurture strong relationships with key clients, travel agencies, corporate partners, TMCs, Consortia to drive business opportunities and long-term success.
• Provide regular updates to the executive team, highlighting sales performance, opportunities, challenges, and recommended actions.
• Collaborate closely with brand marketing to align sales and marketing efforts, ensuring consistent B2B brand messaging.
• Represent Raffles & Orient Express at industry events and networking functions.
• Support hotels’ forecasting & annual budgeting efforts. Drive a culture of accuracy and growth.
• Support new hotel openings from a Sales perspective; create sales proposals and plans, educate Accor Global Sales on new properties.
• Partner with Distribution to ensure GDS content is accurate and bookable; ensure Raffles & Orient Express properties’ GDS presence is reflective of the ultra-luxury brand essence.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business, hospitality, marketing, or related field. MBA preferred.
• 8+ years successful experience leading luxury or upscale hotel sales teams, both on-property and in a centralized capacity. Demonstrated record of exceeding revenue targets.
• Exceptional experience successfully building and leading hotel sales functions in start-up and established travel organizations; strong balance of both innovation and respect for heritage.
• Exceptional leadership history of building and motivating high-performing hotel sales teams across market segments and sales channels.
• Proven experience successfully navigating complex organizations to achieve company goals.
• Strong network and relationships within the luxury travel space.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills; can influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Strong understanding of the hotel distribution landscape, particularly GDS.
• Strong understandin