Director of Sales and Marketing

Role Overview

Director of Sales and Marketing at IHG Hotels and Resorts, located in Doha, Qatar.

Company Overview

IHG Hotels and Resorts operates a global family of over 370,000 colleagues across nearly 100 countries, united by values of warmth, honesty, and True Hospitality. The Doha property includes Crowne Plaza (378 guestrooms and suites) and Holiday Inn (307 guestrooms), both located in a key business district 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport with access to modern amenities and high-speed wireless internet.

Role Purpose

Lead sales and marketing strategy to drive occupancy, average rates, and revenue across rooms, food and beverage, and banqueting services. Direct a sales team to achieve budgeted revenues, maximize profitability, and establish the hotels as prominent brands in the Doha business community.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Strategy and Revenue

• Create and implement sales plans that drive measurable incremental occupancy, increase average rates, increase volume, and maximize food and beverage and banquet sales.
• Achieve budgeted revenues and personal and team sales goals and maximize profitability.
• Review monthly reports and sales forecasts to analyze current and potential market and sales trends.
• Coordinate activities to increase revenue and market share and monitor performance to ensure actual sales meet or exceed established revenue plan.

Business Development and Client Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients and outside contacts including guests, airlines, wholesalers, travel agencies, advertising agencies, and local community groups.
• Generate group and convention business, including room sales, food and beverage sales, and catering and banqueting services.
• Create and develop special events and sales blitzes to showcase the hotels to potential clients.
• Attend trade shows and major market events locally and nationally to promote new business and increase sales opportunities for the hotels.
• Work closely with key business leaders, officials, and representatives of local community groups within the city to ensure constant high-profile exposure for the hotels.

Planning and Budgeting

• Participate in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, the hotel's marketing plan, business plan, and financial plans.

Team Leadership and Development

• Direct day-to-day activities, plan and assign work, and establish performance and development goals for team members.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and regular feedback to help manage conflict, improve team member performance, and recognize good performance.
• Educate, train, and motivate sales and marketing teams to achieve hotel revenue goals.
• Ensure colleagues have the information, market data, tools, and equipment to successfully carry out job duties.

Brand and Marketing

• Develop awareness and reputation of the hotels and the brand in the local community.
• Serve as the hotel's representative for media-related inquiries.
• Work with advertising agencies, consulting firms, and vendors to maximize advertising investments and ensure ads represent brand identity.
• Effectively communicate and market aspects of the hotels that are sustainable or green and use information to gain new business opportunities.

Operations and Performance

• Identify operational problems that reduce the effectiveness of marketing activities and overall hotel sales performance and work with appropriate departments on solutions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree, higher education qualification, or equivalent in marketing or related field.
• Four or more years of experience in a hospitality or hotel sales and marketing setting.
• Direct supervisory experience over a sales team.
• Strong knowledge of local businesses and business trends.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated ability to effectively manage and motivate a team to perform beyond expectations.
• Positive attitude and good communication skills.
• Commitment to delivering a high level of customer service.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary.
• Full uniform provided.
• Impressive room discounts.
• Comprehensive training programs.
• Equal employment opportunity employer: IHG Hotels and Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
• Inclusive workplace culture that celebrates differences and encourages colleagues to bring their whole selves to work.
• Wellbeing support to help colleagues feel well inside and outside of work.