Director of Sales & Marketing

Unclassified - Santa Cruz, CA

Full-time - Senior

Santa Cruz, CA

About the position

We currently have an opening for a Director of Sales & Marketing at Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection located in Santa Cruz, CA. The ideal candidate will lead and manage the Sales team ensuring a high level of professionalism, guest service, and profitability. This role involves developing business leads, soliciting potential clients, servicing existing accounts, and selling all hotel facilities. The Director will target business in assigned market segments and is expected to meet and exceed sales goals for rate, occupancy, and revenue. Consistently performing our standards of service, the Director will interact with guests, clients, and all hotel team members in a professional manner, embodying a "Yes I Can" attitude. Santa Cruz, CA, is a breathtaking coastal city renowned for its pristine beaches, legendary surf spots, and towering redwoods, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The city's vibrant cultural scene, featuring a historic boardwalk, bustling downtown, and a flourishing arts community, offers a rich tapestry of experiences. The Director of Sales & Marketing will play a crucial role in promoting the hotel and ensuring its success in this dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, schedule, coach, counsel, and motivate employees directly accountable to their position to maintain high levels of employee morale and department productivity.
• Attain established personal monthly, quarterly, and annual goals for group room nights, room revenues, banquet revenues, and bottom-line, while supporting the attainment of similar team goals for the Sales Department.
• Monitor group arrival/departure patterns, rates, room blocks, public space allocations, and special negotiations for all Sales Managers.
• Oversee transient sales market segments of the hotel, including leisure, corporate, Consortia relations, and package sales.
• Participate in revenue management for the hotel.
• Understand and respond to all guest needs and requests in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepare the annual departmental budget according to specifications set forth by the property GM, Director of Finance, and Ownership.
• Monitor and control departmental expenditures to ensure meeting operational standards while maintaining the annual budget.
• Complete all weekly, monthly, and lost business reports accurately and on time, as well as any other miscellaneous reports as requested.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with representatives of companies in outside markets to promote business.
• Accurately maintain sales and marketing records, including logs of daily occupancy and ADR, and records of leads given to the Sales Department.
• Maintain cordial and professional relationships with long-time key group and transient accounts representatives, and proactively solicit their repeat business.
• Monitor the results of all Sales Reps working on a retainer basis for the hotel to ensure optimal performance.
• Assist the Sales Managers in their contract negotiations and actively support their development of promotional ideas.
• Participate within the property Executive Committee and attend resort functions as directed.
• Document HR/Payroll transactions as directed.
• Promote and comply with all policies and procedures of the property.
• Collaborate and effectively communicate within the sales team and other departments.
• Conduct regular departmental operations meetings and attend all mandatory meetings as directed.
• Perform other tasks, including cross-training, as directed, and additional duties as requested by the General Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Hotel Management preferred or equivalent experience required.
• Five years minimum experience in Sales in the hotel industry, including at least three years in a hotel sales leadership role.
• California market experience required.
• Marriott branded sales experience is a plus.
• CI/TY system experience is strongly preferred.
• Requires a basic understanding of the operations of all departments in the hotel and what role each department plays in group business.
• Must be skilled in accepted business presentation formats.
• Familiar with Marriott systems and Microsoft Office.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with digital marketing strategies.
• Knowledge of local attractions and events to enhance sales pitches.
• Ability to speak multiple languages.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Employee discounts on hotel stays and services.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.