Director of Sales - Pre-Opening

AC Hotel National Mall; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

AC Hotel National Mall in Washington, DC, seeks a Director of Sales to lead the pre-opening sales strategy for a Spring 2027 opening of a 122-room hotel.

The role focuses on building accounts, developing the market, and driving pre-opening business while partnering with Marriott sales resources and the GM. Excellent relationship and negotiation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven hotel sales leadership experience with track record of building and growing a sales team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the hotel's pre-opening and ongoing sales strategy.
• Build the hotel's sales plan, account base, segmentation strategy, and revenue goals.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate, government, group, leisure, and local accounts.
• Establish relationships with key Washington, DC businesses and government entities.
• Drive pre-opening bookings and establish a strong base of business before opening day.
• Develop and manage key accounts while prospecting for new business.
• Partner with the General Manager, Revenue Management, Operations, and Marriott sales resources.
• Participate in pre-opening planning, sales blitzes, networking events, and community outreach.
• Develop group and corporate opportunities to maximize occupancy and ADR.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and business opportunities.
• Create and manage sales action plans, forecasts, budgets, and performance reporting.

Skills

Hotel sales leadership

Pre-opening experience

Washington DC market knowledge

Relationship building

Job description

Director of Sales – Pre-Opening AC Hotel by Marriott National Mall | Washington, DC

Target Opening: Spring 2027 | 122 Rooms

Be Part of Something New in the Nation's Capital!

A brand-new AC Hotel by Marriott near the National Mall is coming to Washington, DC, and we are looking for an entrepreneurial, results-driven Director of Sales to help bring this exciting hotel to life.

This is an opportunity to join the leadership team before opening and build the sales strategy, establish key market relationships, develop accounts, drive pre-opening business, and position the hotel for long-term success.

With 122 stylishly designed guestrooms, the hotel will bring the distinctive AC Hotels experience to one of the most dynamic destinations in the country.

Why This Hotel? Why AC?

AC Hotels by Marriott is designed for the modern traveler who appreciates thoughtful design, European-inspired style, and an experience focused on the things that matter. The brand is known for clean, contemporary spaces, purposeful design, European-inspired breakfast offerings, and the signature AC Lounge featuring Spanish-inspired small plates and cocktails.

This new hotel will offer the opportunity to introduce the AC brand experience to a prime Washington, DC location while creating a sales culture and strategy from the ground up.

An Incredible Washington, DC Location

The National Mall is quite literally America's front yard, surrounded by iconic landmarks, world-class museums, monuments, memorials, government institutions, and some of the city's most visited attractions. We are also adjacent to Judiciary Square.

The area attracts leisure travelers, families, international visitors, government and political travelers, corporate guests, associations, and groups throughout the year.

The hotel's location creates tremendous potential to capture business connected to:

• National Mall and Smithsonian attractions
• U.S. Capitol and Capitol Hill
• U.S. and DC Courts
• Federal government and government contractors
• Associations and nonprofit organizations
• Corporate and business travel
• Group and leisure travel
• Museums, monuments, and cultural attractions
• Events throughout downtown Washington, DC
• The Wharf and Southwest Waterfront
• Convention and meeting business

About the Role

As Director of Sales, you will be responsible for leading the hotel's commercial strategy and building a high-performing sales operation ahead of the Spring 2027 opening.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys opening hotels, creating relationships, prospecting, selling, and developing business from scratch.

You will:

• Develop and execute the hotel's pre-opening and ongoing sales strategy.
• Build the hotel's sales plan, account base, segmentation strategy, and revenue goals.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate, government, group, leisure, and local accounts.
• Establish relationships with key Washington, DC businesses, government entities, law offices, associations, meeting planners, and tourism partners.
• Drive pre-opening bookings and establish a strong base of business before opening day.
• Develop and manage key accounts while aggressively prospecting for new business.
• Partner closely with the General Manager, Revenue Management, Operations, and Marriott sales resources.
• Participate in pre-opening planning, sales blitzes, networking events, industry functions, and community outreach.
• Develop group and corporate opportunities that maximize occupancy and ADR.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and business opportunities.
• Create and manage sales action plans, forecasts, budgets, and performance reporting.
• Represent the hotel and AC Hotels brand within the Washington, DC hospitality and business community.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a confident, energetic sales leader who knows how to open doors, build relationships, and turn relationships into revenue.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven hotel sales leadership experience, ideally as a Director of Sales, with a track record of building and growing a sales TEAM.
• Proven ability to drive topline revenue across assigned market segments.
• Experience in the Washington, DC market strongly preferred.
• Pre-opening or new hotel experience is highly desirable.
• Marriott experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of corporate, government, group, and leisure markets.
• A proven track record of achieving sales goals and growing revenue.
• Strong prospecting and business development skills.
• Existing relationships within the DC market are a major plus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and networking skills.
• A highly entrepreneurial and proactive approach.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on selling.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a pre-opening environment.

The Opportunity

This isn't simply a job managing an existing sales team and account base.

You get to help build the story.

From creating the first account list and making the first sales calls to securing the hotel's first major group, corporate account, and local partnership, you'll have a direct impact on the success and reputation of this new hotel.

If you're a hospitality sales leader who loves Washington, DC, Marriott, new hotel openings, relationship building, and the thrill of creating something from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us in opening something exceptional in the heart of the nation's capital.

Salary for this role is 135 -145K commensurate with experience

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete required employment eligibility verification form (Form I-9) upon hire.

Source: Hospitality Online