Director of Sales

Role Overview

Director of Sales at The Red Palace, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reports to the Hotel Manager with dotted-line reporting to the General Manager/Vice President of the Red Palace.

Company Overview

The Red Palace is an ultra-luxury boutique hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, originally built in 1943. The historic palace has been transformed into a masterpiece of refined hospitality, blending timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication. The hotel offers meticulously restored architecture, curated cultural experiences, and unparalleled service.

Role Purpose

The Director of Sales leads the hotel's overall sales strategy to drive sustainable revenue growth, maximize market share, and strengthen brand positioning across all segments. This role provides strategic leadership to the sales team, builds strong relationships with key stakeholders, and ensures alignment between sales efforts, revenue strategy, and operational excellence in a luxury hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine the hotel's overall sales strategy in alignment with commercial objectives, brand standards, and market conditions.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and performance data to identify opportunities, risks, and strategic actions.

Sales Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and motivate the sales team to achieve and exceed revenue, room night, and market share targets across all segments.
• Drive business development, acquisition, retention, and growth of key accounts including corporate, leisure, group, wholesale, and strategic partners.

Stakeholder & Account Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, travel trade partners, industry stakeholders, and internal leadership teams.
• Oversee contract negotiations, pricing strategies, and account production to maximize profitability and long-term value.
• Partner with Operations to ensure seamless delivery of contracted business and consistently high guest satisfaction.
• Represent the hotel at industry events, trade shows, sales missions, and networking activities to enhance market visibility.

Revenue & Analytics

• Work closely with Revenue Management to optimize pricing, inventory allocation, forecasting, and distribution strategies.
• Prepare and present accurate sales forecasts, budgets, performance reports, and market insights to senior management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Marketing to support campaigns, promotions, brand positioning, and go-to-market initiatives.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure all sales activities, contracts, and account data are accurately maintained within CRM systems.
• Manage departmental budgets and expenses in line with financial targets and company policies.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, company policies, ethical sales practices, and applicable regulations.
• Embrace and practice the hotel's legacy values and competencies in all client, team, and stakeholder interactions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive sales experience in luxury hotels or resorts, including leadership roles.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Hospitality Sales Leader (CHSL) or equivalent are preferred.
• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

Professional & Technical Competencies

• Strong expertise in hotel sales leadership, market segmentation, and strategic account management.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth and lead high-performing sales teams.
• Solid commercial acumen with a strong understanding of revenue management principles.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, sales analytics, and Microsoft Office tools.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Inspirational leader with strong coaching, communication, and people-development skills.
• Strategic, analytical, and results-driven mindset.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.