Director of Travel Industry and Entertainment

WE ARE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN SERVING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

Become part of our The Ritz-Carlton family and join us in going the extra mile for great guest experiences and the best team spirit.

At The Ritz Carlton, Berlin, we are looking for a Director of Travel Industry & Entertainment.

Reporting to the Director of Sales, the Director of Travel Industry is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the hotel's relationship with the travel industry, including travel agencies, consortia, entertainment, and key industry partners. This role requires a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality sector and the ability to develop and implement strategies to attract high-value guests. The Director will lead efforts to create tailored travel experiences, promote the hotel in key travel markets, and drive revenue through strategic partnerships, all while maintaining the brand's luxury standards and exceptional service.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

1. Directs the property's Travel Industry Sales function verifying that client expectations and production goals are met.
2. Analyzes market information by using sales systems and implements strategy to achieve property's financial room goals for the respective Markets.
3. Works with management team to create and implement a sales plan addressing revenue, customers, and the market for the segment led by the Director of Sales (DOS).
4. Develop and maintain strong relationships with top travel agencies, and key accounts.
5. Responsible for Consortia relationships and execution of contractual agreements.
6. Participates in all special projects / events such as Site Inspections, Familiarization (FAM) trips.
7. Plans and participates in Sales trips and industry-related meetings.
8. Participates in departmental sales meetings, operational meetings, and pre-cons.
9. Participates in sales calls with sales team members to acquire new business and close deals.
10. Supports the operational aspects of business booked.
11. Partners with the marketing department to plan and execute a comprehensive marketing program to promote the property as a travel industry destination.
12. Develops and implements sales and marketing strategies for the Travel Industry Sales & Entertainment segment.
13. Executes the annual Sales & Travel plan for the assigned market and all direct reports.
14. Monitors competitors and industry trends, making strategic recommendations to maintain a competitive edge.
15. Identifies and develops new business opportunities proactively.
16. Manages relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
17. Reports on the performance of travel industry accounts, providing insights and data-driven recommendations.
18. Maintains a CRM system with current industry contacts and booking trends.

This role is essential for positioning the hotel as a preferred choice for luxury travelers through strategic industry relationships and innovative business development. It requires frequent travel, especially to key industry events and partner locations.

Key Skills :

1. Develop and maintain strong business relationships with Travel Industry & Entertainment clients.
2. Proven track record in driving sales, building partnerships, and managing key accounts.
3. Deep understanding of the luxury hospitality market and travel distribution landscape.
4. Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
5. Ability to work cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and operations teams.
6. Identify changing market conditions and adapt sales and marketing strategies accordingly.
7. Strong business acumen to recognize market trends and implement effective sales strategies.
8. Highly organized, results-oriented, and adaptable.
9. Willingness to travel frequently to key markets.
10. Excellent presentation and communication skills.
11. Client-centric approach and commitment to customer service excellence.

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

Leadership

1. Adaptability - Adjusts to change, communicates reasons for change, and manages impact on the team.
2. Communication - Effectively conveys complex ideas, interprets behavior, and practices active listening.
3. Problem Solving and Decision Making - Breaks down complex issues, evaluates options, and involves others in decisions.
4. Professional Demeanor - Exhibits confidence, makes a positive first impression, and represents the company values.

Managing Execution

1. Building and Contributing to Teams - Leads and collaborates effectively to achieve goals.
2. Driving for Results - Sets high standards, takes responsibility, and proactively works toward objectives.
3. Planning and Organizing - Gathers information, prioritizes, and arranges work to meet goals.

Building Relationships

1. Coworker Relationships - Builds trust and openness with colleagues.
2. Customer Relationships - Understands customer needs and meets service standards.
3. Global Mindset - Supports diversity and utilizes differences to foster innovation and engagement.

Generating Talent and Organizational Capability

1. Organizational Capability - Adapts team structure and processes to support goals.
2. Talent Management - Guides and develops team members’ skills and abilities.

Learning and Applying Professional Expertise

1. Applied Learning - Seeks opportunities to improve performance.
2. Business Acumen - Uses business information to manage operations and develop solutions.
3. Technical Acumen - Applies professional skills in functional areas.
4. Communications and Media - Uses various media techniques for communication.
5. Devising Sales Strategies - Innovates in sales approaches considering constraints and opportunities.
6. Sales Ability: Persuasiveness - Gains acceptance of products or ideas.
7. Sales Call Facilitation - Ensures sales calls are productive.
8. Sales Coaching - Provides guidance to improve sales performance.
9. Sales Disposition - Demonstrates traits of successful salespersons.
10. Sales Implementations - Supports sales strategies and actions.
11. Sales Opportunity Analysis - Diagnoses customer business issues to inform strategies.
12. Basic Competencies - Fundamental skills for work activities.
13. Mathematical Reasoning - Performs calculations accurately and quickly.
14. Oral Comprehension - Understands spoken information.
15. Reading Comprehension - Understands written documents.
16. Writing - Communicates effectively in writing.

Education and Experience

1. A minimum of a 4-year bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel Management, or related field.
2. At least 4 years of experience in a similar senior sales role within luxury hospitality, with a proven record of revenue growth.
3. Strong existing client relationships within the North American travel market, especially with high-end leisure agencies, Virtuoso, Internova, and STARS Agents.
4. Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to mentor and manage transient business.
5. Strong decision-making, selling, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
6. Proficiency in German and English (reading, writing, speaking); additional languages like Spanish or Italian are a plus.
7. Advanced computer skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internal systems such as Opera.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin - A tribute to Berlin's glamorous golden age

The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, with 303 rooms and suites, is located on Potsdamer Platz. The hotel offers contemporary Art Deco spaces with excellent service. The restaurant POTS features modern German cuisine, and The Lounge offers tea and a menu. The Curtain Club is a top city bar. The hotel includes a wellness area and a Club Lounge. More info at www.ritzcarlton.de/berlin or our hotel video: https://vimeo.com/456492241

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and non-discrimination on protected bases.