Director of Sales

Gonville Hotel; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hotel in Cambridge is seeking a dynamic Director of Sales to drive demand and maximize revenue across all segments. The ideal candidate will lead the sales team, develop customer relationships, and implement effective marketing strategies. This role offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including hotel discounts and opportunities for progression.

Benefits

Hotel discounts across all Axiom Hospitality hotels

28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days with service

Access to Employee Assistance Line

Use of Wagestream financial wellbeing platform

Yearly complimentary stayover after one year of service

Opportunities for training and progression

Referral bonus of £250 for successful new hires

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales leadership roles.
• Ability to drive demand and maximize conversion.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the on-property sales team.
• Research and introduce new business opportunities.
• Execute the Hotel Sales and Marketing plan.

Skills

Sales Leadership

Business Development

Customer Relationship Management

Job description

Salary - £50,000 Per Annum

A unique opportunity for an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic sales leader to join the team at The Gonville Hotel.

The ideal candidate will drive demand for the hotel and maximise conversion across all segments and revenue streams. This role requires a proactive approach through account planning, developing customer relationships, and securing new opportunities. The Director of Sales will be responsible for leading and managing the on-property sales team to achieve targets and increase market share.

Business Development:

1. Research, identify, and introduce new and lapsed business opportunities to support the hotel budgets across all segments and revenue streams (corporate, conference, event, leisure, and social).
2. Own local sales initiatives to drive business from hotel-specific opportunities, including social media activities, welcome desks, and showcase events.
3. Implement and manage regular 'Bring Back Old Business' activities, ensuring they are targeted, measured, and reported.
4. Execute the Hotel Sales and Marketing plan, updating information and recording results monthly to evaluate activities and adapt as necessary.
5. Monitor hotel performance to identify opportunities and risks for proactive management.
6. Create and implement local promotions for groups, conferences, and events.
7. Develop, promote, and sell social event products (Gala Dinners, Formals, Christmas events, etc.), including pricing and marketing collateral creation with the marketing team.
8. Promote and sell wedding packages, including market research, pricing, and collateral development alongside the marketing team.
9. Be available for showrounds, product launches, and showcases outside of regular business hours.
10. Maintain the hotel's shopping windows and ensure all digital content is current across channels.
11. Lead and sustain effective sales lead generation efforts within the hotel.
12. Build strong relationships within the company's business development and commercial community.

Administration:

1. Manage weekly function sheet production and distribution.
2. Report enquiry levels daily to the commercial manager.
3. Log all lost business and enquiries in the PMS and review weekly.
4. Communicate last-minute bookings, VIP show rounds, etc., to all relevant Heads of Department.
5. Revisit lapsed leads and enquiries monthly during scheduled sales calling days.
6. Maintain reservation database/diary with all booking details, amendments, and cancellations.
7. Prepare and submit performance and forecast reports; monitor availability continuously.
8. Ensure the sales team employs a dynamic pricing strategy and is confident in our pricing structure.
9. Conduct daily briefings with the events team.
10. Communicate new policies and procedures to all staff concerned.
11. Keep accurate records of departmental procedures, training, staff reports, meetings, customer feedback, and correspondence.

You must have the right to work in the UK; documented evidence will be required prior to employment.

Having these core skills will put you one step closer to joining Axiom Hospitality and The Gonville Hotel Cambridge.

Benefits

• Hotel discounts across all Axiom Hospitality hotels – colleague rates and up to 50% discount on F&B
• 28 days holiday, including bank holidays, increasing to 33 days with service
• Discounts on retail, restaurants, events, and more via our benefits & rewards portal
• Access to our Employee Assistance Line to support mental health and wellbeing
• Use of Wagestream financial wellbeing platform for instant pay access
• Yearly complimentary Axiom Xcape stayover after one year of service
• Opportunities for training, progression, and promotion
• Referral bonus of £250 for successful new hires
• Service awards at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 years of service

Opportunities for all

At Axiom Hospitality, we value diversity and are committed to equal opportunity. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, including different genders, races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, parents, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We are dedicated to sustainability, working to reduce our environmental impact through eco-label certification and responsible practices. Our hotels actively engage with their local communities through charity work and volunteering, aiming to leave positive impacts on their neighborhoods. We strive to be a responsible and inclusive employer and community member.