Overview
The Director of Sales at Crowne Plaza College Park – Washington DC will lead the property's sales strategy to drive revenue growth across all market segments, including corporate, government, group, and transient business. This 291-room hotel features over 11,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, making it a prime destination for conferences, weddings, and social gatherings. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales plans, managing key accounts, cultivating new business opportunities, and collaborating closely with the revenue and marketing teams to optimize performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a proven track record in hotel sales, and the ability to build lasting relationships with clients and community partners. Experience in the Washington DC metro area and IHG brand familiarity is preferred.
The Director of Sales administers, directs, manages and controls the sales and marketing department to maximize sales revenue for the hotel and ensure an aggressive approach by all sales staff to meet budgeted goals and key hotel drivers. The Director reports directly to the General Manager, and the Regional Sales and Marketing Manager will interface and assist in the direction of the Sales and Marketing function at the property.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop sales strategies for property, including targeted market segments, rate management, solicitation procedures and advertising.
- Develop a realistic annual marketing plan, forecast with monthly reviews to update and modify as required by market conditions.
- Emphasize control procedures and yield management to assure a proper balance of rate availability to market demand.
- Establish and executive an effective outside sales program.
- Direct internal servicing of groups.
- Act in concert with hotel management team and property General Manager.
- Train all sales and marketing staff, holding them accountable to actionable results.
- Work in a cooperative and friendly manner with fellow associates.
- Practice a culture of guest service in all you do; promote courtesy, goodwill and a positive attitude in each and every encounter.
- Perform any reasonable request as assigned or directed by General Manager.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong business communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
- 3 years proven hotel sales experience, demonstrating proven creative thinking and results driven leadership skills
- High work ethic and self-initiative
- Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite
- Some travel may be required
- Regular attendance according to established guidelines
- May be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the property
- Must possess basic computational ability
- Focus and maintain attention to tasks, and complete work assignments on time despite frequent interruptions
- Ability to maintain excellent relationships with staff and maintain staff and guest confidentiality at all times
- Ability to participate in, and at times lead departmental and/or hotel team meetings
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
- Sales leadership in full-service hotels: Minimum of 2 years in a leadership role is required; ideally 4–6 years of experience managing direct reports within a full-service hotel environment.
- Team leadership and development: Will directly oversee a team of four sales professionals, with responsibility for coaching, performance management, and aligning team efforts with property goals.
- Strategic sales planning and market segmentation: Demonstrated success in developing and executing targeted sales strategies that increase market share and optimize revenue across corporate, government, group, SMERF, and business travel segments.
- Business Travel (BT) experience: Proven ability to manage and grow BT accounts, including negotiating preferred agreements and maintaining strong relationships with travel managers and consortia partners.
- Meeting and event space expertise: Experience selling and managing event space in properties with significant capacity; Crowne Plaza College Park offers over 11,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space across 12 rooms.
- Financial acumen and executive-level reporting: Skilled in forecasting, budgeting, and analyzing performance metrics, with the ability to present strategic plans and results to ownership and senior leadership.
- Washington DC metro market knowledge: Deep understanding of regional demand drivers including federal agencies, universities, associations, and government contractors.
- Brand experience with IHG strongly preferred: Candidates with prior experience in IHG systems and standards—especially within the Crowne Plaza brand—will be prioritized.
- Sales technology proficiency: Proficient in platforms such as Delphi, Amadeus Sales & Event Management, or IHG’s proprietary systems to manage leads, bookings, and client relationships effectively.
- Proactive business development: Comfortable with outbound sales efforts including cold calling, networking, and building new business pipelines through local partnerships and national account strategies.
- Schedule flexibility and ownership mindset: Success in this role requires a driven, hands-on leader who embraces the dynamic nature of hotel sales and understands that impactful results often come from being present and responsive beyond standard hours.
- Ownership relations and resilience: Must be confident and composed when working with demanding ownership groups, with the ability to navigate high expectations, provide clear communication, and maintain professionalism under pressure. A thick skin and solution-oriented mindset are essential.
- Relocation policy: No relocation assistance is available; however, candidates who are open to relocating at their own expense will be considered.
- High-impact catering and group sales experience: This role demands a confident, strategic sales leader with deep expertise in catering and group business—someone who can build strong client relationships and deliver results in a competitive market.
Physical Requirements:
- Sit, stand and walk for varying lengths of time
- Lift approximately ten (10) pounds
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, pulling, pushing, listening and hearing ability and visual ability
- Must have finger dexterity to be able to operate office equipment such as computers, printers, multi-line phone, filing cabinets, photocopiers and other office equipment as needed
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $135,000 – $145,000 annually (commensurate with experience, qualifications, and market alignment)
- Bonus: Eligible for a maximum quarterly payout of 30% based on paid and earned wages, tied to performance metrics and revenue goal
- Relocation: No relocation assistance is available for this role; however, candidates who are open to relocating at their own expense will be considered.
- Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement: 401(k) with company match
- Time Off: Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days
- Perks: Discounted hotel stays across the portfolio
- Growth: Career development and advancement opportunities
- Culture: People-first environment focused on excellence and innovation