Sales Manager - Leisure

Karen Tupper Recruitment; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Karen Tupper Recruitment is seeking an experienced Leisure Sales Manager to grow profitable leisure business across the group, strengthening travel trade relationships and ensuring visibility and ease of doing business with the properties.

Reporting to the Group Head of Commercial - Marketing & Sales, you will manage leisure trade accounts, lead contracting, identify new opportunities and collaborate with Revenue, Reservations and hotel teams to convert opportunities and drive performance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant hospitality or travel trade sales experience.
• Diploma in Hospitality, Tourism or Business.
• Experience managing relationships with STOs, wholesalers, tour operators and/or travel agencies.
• Proven experience representing a hotel, hotel group or tourism business at trade shows or industry events.
• Sound knowledge of hotel contracting processes and the interface with Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Distribution and Reservations.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow leisure trade accounts with STOs, wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents.
• Lead the group’s leisure contracting process and negotiate rates and terms.
• Identify and convert new leisure opportunities with a clear pipeline.
• Build strong trade relationships and represent the group at trade shows and events.
• Monitor market trends and account performance, translating insights into recommendations.
• Deliver accurate reporting and maintain an up-to-date sales pipeline and activity plan.
• Maintain organized and compliant leisure portfolio and manage expenditures within policy.

Skills

Leisure sales experience

Account management

Contracting

Relationship building

Reporting & analytics

Education

Hospitality/Tourism/Business Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Opera PMS

Job description

We are looking for an experienced leisure sales professional who will grow profitable leisure business across the group, strengthen their travel trade relationships, and ensure the properties remain visible, relevant and easy to do business with. Reporting to the Group Head of Commercial - Marketing & Sales, the Leisure Sales Manager will be the Group's primary point of contact for leisure travel trade partners and an active member of the wider Sales & Marketing team, working collaboratively with Revenue, Reservations and hotel teams to convert opportunities and support performance across the Group.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• 1. Manage and Grow Leisure Trade Accounts - Build and manage relationships with STOs, wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents, developing clear plans for priority accounts to grow, retain and recover business across the three hotels.
• 2. Lead the Group's Leisure Contracting Process - Assess contract and rate requests and negotiate rates, allocations and commercial terms within agreed parameters, in close collaboration with Revenue & Distribution, escalating exceptions where required.
• 3. Identify and Convert New Business - Proactively source and qualify new leisure opportunities, maintain a clear pipeline, and work across the business to convert appropriate opportunities, with particular focus on identified need periods and business priorities.
• 4. Build and Represent Strong Trade Relationships - Act as a knowledgeable, responsive point of contact for leisure partners, hosting site inspections and representing the Group at trade shows, roadshows and industry events.
• 5.. Monitor Market and Account Performance - Track leisure production, account performance, market trends and competitor activity across all three hotels, and translate insights into practical recommendations.
• 6. Deliver Accurate Reporting and Planning - Maintain an up-to-date sales pipeline and account activity plan, monitor key account performance, and contribute meaningful leisure sales insights and recommendations to business reporting and planning.
• 7. Maintain an Organised and Compliant Leisure Portfolio - Keep account records, contracts and correspondence accurate and accessible, and manage leisure sales expenditure responsibly within agreed budgets and Company policy.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant hospitality or travel trade sales experience, including demonstrated experience in leisure accounts, contracting and account management, ideally within the 4-star or 5-star hotel sector
• H a relevant Hospitality, Tourism or Business Diploma.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with Specialist Tour Operators (STOs), wholesalers, tour operators and/or travel agencies.
• Proven experience representing a hotel, hotel group or tourism business at travel trade shows, roadshows or industry events.
• Sound working knowledge of hotel contracting processes and the interface between Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Distribution and Reservations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and hotel systems; working knowledge of Opera would be advantageous.
• This is a full-time, office-based role, based at Head Office. The role requires daily attendance at the office, except when attending client meetings, site inspections, trade events or other approved business activities. Must be flexible after hours when required for site inspections and client engagements.
• Valid Code 08 driver's licence and own reliable transport, as the role requires travel between the Group's properties and attendance at client meetings, site inspections and industry events.
• Applicants must be a South African Citizen.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory criminal record, credit, qualification and reference checks.