Cluster Assistant Sales Director - Government & Royalty GCC - Raffles & Fairmont The Red Sea

Accor Hotels; Umluj; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international hotel group located in Saudi Arabia seeks a Cluster ADOS - Government & Royalty to manage all aspects of luxury travel for diplomatic missions and royal families. The role requires extensive experience in ultra-luxury hospitality sales, profound cultural sensitivity, and a network of high-level government contacts. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and significant expertise in handling ultra-high-net-worth individuals, shaping bespoke experiences while ensuring the highest discretion and confidentiality standards. This position involves travel as needed to facilitate high-profile client needs.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in ultra-luxury hospitality sales focused on Government, Diplomatic, and Royalty segments.
• Extensive portfolio of high-level contacts within government agencies and diplomatic corps.
• Experience in handling ultra-high-net-worth individuals and Royal Families.

Responsibilities

• Manage all business related to government travel and royal families.
• Negotiate complex contracts with confidentiality.
• Curate bespoke experiences for high-profile guests.

Skills

Cultural sensitivity

Discretion

Negotiation

Sales acumen

Network within government segments

Fluency in Arabic

Education

Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Business Administration or Hospitality

Master’s degree

Job description

Company Description

Raffles & Fairmont the Red Sea, positioned in the kingdom's groundbreaking Red Sea Project, will provide visitors access to a nature-focused resort. With 361 rooms, eleven distinct dining concepts, including an overwater restaurant with views of the Red Sea and the mangroves, and a Spa. The resort will be situated next to an 18-hole championship golf course, reflecting Fairmont's association as a world class golf destination. It will set new standards in sustainable development, positioned on 200km of untouched coastline, an archipelago of more than 90 unspoiled islands, dormant volcanoes, rich marine habitat, and ancient archaeological sites.

Position Summary

The Cluster ADOS - Government & Royalty is a highly specialized and confidential role responsible for generating and managing all business related to government travel, diplomatic missions, royal families, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals requiring royal‑level protocols. This position demands an exceptional level of discretion, cultural sensitivity, and an existing network within these exclusive circles. The individual will be the resort’s ambassador for this elite segment, curating utterly bespoke experiences and negotiating complex, high‑stakes contracts while maintaining the utmost confidentiality and security.

Essential Functions & Core Responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Management & Protocol

• Develop and nurture long‑term relationships with key contacts in government entities, embassies, consulates, royal diwans (courts), and family offices within GCC.


• Possess an expert understanding of international and regional diplomatic protocols, royal hierarchies, and cultural nuances to ensure all interactions are conducted with appropriate respect and formality.


• Serve as the single point of contact for all communications, always ensuring absolute discretion and confidentiality.

Bespoke Sales Process & Itinerary Curation

• Manage the entire sales process for highly complex and confidential bookings, which often involve extensive entourages, specific security details, and unique logistical requirements.


• Curate and present completely customized proposals for entire wings, villas, or full resort buy‑outs, including detailed itineraries, security plans, and highly personalized amenities.


• Coordinate with all operational departments (Security, F&B, Housekeeping, Spa, Butlers) to design and execute flawless, one‑of‑a‑kind experiences that anticipate and exceed every guest need.

Contract Negotiation & Compliance

• Expertly negotiate and manage complex contracts that include specialized clauses for security, privacy, force majeure, and diplomatic immunity.


• Have a deep understanding of government per diem rates, billing procedures (direct billing to embassies, payment against letters of credit), and compliance requirements.


• Ensure all financial transactions are handled with accuracy and discretion, adhering to strict internal and external audit trails.

Market Intelligence & Networking

• Maintain an impeccable network of contacts and actively leverage it to generate new business within the government and royal circles.


• Continuously gather intelligence on market trends, competitor activity, and the movements of key figures within the segment.


• Represent the resort at high‑level diplomatic functions, national day celebrations, and exclusive industry events.


• Conduct a minimum of 15‑20 proactive, targeted sales calls and schedule 15‑20 face‑to‑face client meetings per week with key decision‑makers.

Internal Coordination & Security Liaison

• Act as the primary liaison between the guest’s security team and the resort’s security and management team, facilitating thorough advance planning and risk assessments.


• Conduct pre‑arrival briefings with all relevant resort departments to ensure complete readiness and understanding of all protocols and requirements.


• Manage all aspects of the pre‑arrival process, including vetting of staff, privacy controls, and specific suite preparation.

Qualifications

Mandatory

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Business Administration, Hospitality, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in ultra‑luxury hospitality sales, with at least 3 years specifically focused on the Government, Diplomatic, and Royalty segment.


• A verifiable, extensive, and portable portfolio of high‑level contacts within government agencies, royal families, and diplomatic corps, particularly within GCC and other key international markets.


• Experience in handling UHNWI and Royal Families.


• Impeccable professional references that can attest to discretion and performance.

Highly Desirable

• Previous experience working in a palace hotel or a resort renowned for hosting royalty and heads of state.


• Formal training in international protocol and security coordination.


• Fluency in Arabic is essential. Fluency in additional languages (e.g., French, English) is a significant advantage.


• An existing security clearance is highly advantageous.

Key Competencies & Behavioral Indicators

• Utmost Discretion & Confidentiality: Unquestionable integrity and the ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.


• Cultural Savvy & Diplomacy: Deep respect for and understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and protocols. Possesses exceptional tact and grace under pressure.


• Executive Presence: The poise, professionalism, and communication skills to interact confidently with ambassadors, royalty, and C‑suite executives.


• Bespoke Service Mindset: An innate ability to anticipate unexpressed needs and curate highly personalized, flawless experiences.


• Crisis Management: Remains calm, composed, and solution‑oriented in high‑pressure situations with complex logistical challenges.


• Resilience & Patience: Understands that sales cycles are long and relationship‑based, requiring persistent and respectful nurturing.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• Achievement of Total Revenue Goal for the segment.


• Number of Successful VVIP & Royalty Visits hosted without incident.


• Client Confidentiality & Satisfaction: Measured through direct feedback from principals and their offices; zero breaches of privacy.


• Account Penetration & Growth within assigned portfolio of key accounts and royal households.


• Repeat & Referral Business from existing high‑profile contacts.

Working Conditions

• Excitingly high autonomy and confidentiality; may need to respond to needs outside standard business hours.


• Based in Riyadh but requiring travel to the Red Sea resort per management decision and business needs.


• Travel may be required for key client meetings or to accompany high‑profile site inspections.


• Success measured not only in revenue but in flawless execution of visits and strengthening of the resort’s reputation within this elite segment.

Additional Information

• Understanding of Ultra‑Luxury guest expectations and brand alignment.


• Experience in project coordination, scheduling, and document control during pre‑Opening stages.


• Experience in pre‑Opening is a must.


• A proactive, anticipatory approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.


• Impeccable grooming and personal presentation aligned with Luxury standards.