Sales Manager

Description

Exciting opportunity at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex! We are seeking a Group Sales Manager to lead the SMERF market following a recent promotion. Cedar Rapids offers a robust market with vast potential to attract exceptional groups to our renowned hotel brand. Join us in this dynamic role and play a pivotal part in our success!

Conveniently located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just off I-380, we are only 15 minutes from Eastern Iowa Airport. The hotel overlooks the Cedar River and downtown Cedar Rapids and is attached to the Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena and Alliant Energy Powerhouse Convention Center. Corporate travelers will appreciate our proximity to important businesses, including Fortune 500 companies and government offices.

What Will I Be Doing? 

A Group Sales Manager for our hotel is responsible for securing groups and conventions by building and establishing relationships with customers.  Hilton is looking for dynamic individuals who are well-rounded and business minded.

The sales office in a hotel is a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and is a true launching pad for those who aspire to grow their careers in hospitality. 

Specifically, you would be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:

• Research, solicit and generate new leads for group opportunities through database research and proactive sales efforts, maximizing new room revenue streams, to meet and exceed lead generation goals.
• Represent the hotel in the development of market segment(s) and new customer relationships while maintaining existing relations with assigned accounts. Consistently strives to maximize revenue and profitability for all hotel revenue streams.
• Develop a business strategy by analyzing historical, current and future hotel and market trends, implementing marketing initiatives to capture the maximum amount of lead revenue to meet and exceed sales goals.     

This role requires strong sales, communication, and networking skills. The ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of customer needs and then apply a disciplined approach to qualify, negotiate and secure new revenue for the hotel.

• Customer and Account Management - Apply strong sales skills to create customer value. Differentiate Hilton from the competition and bring clear value to customers and the organizations they represent.
• Prospecting - Demonstrate a mastery of the prospecting process. Identify potential customers. Prepare and implement your call strategy.
• Negotiations - Understand the customer and the business leaders expectations. Adapt to a changing market.

Customer and Account Management:

• Actively engage with Hilton Worldwide Sales, Convention Bureau and Intermediaries to retain existing customers and secure new business for the Hotel.
• Develop and execute plans to engage in outside sales calls, industry tradeshows and customer events.
• Develop, execute and communicate a monthly, quarterly and annual business plan for a designated market.
• Maintain up to date pipeline of business opportunities that will meet the short and long-term business objectives for the designated market.
• Represent hotel in all interactions dealing with their customers relative to sales, including creating business proposals and executing contracts.
• Conduct site inspections through masterful story telling with prospective and existing customers based on their individual needs.
• Coordinate customer specifications (including room, food and beverage and meeting space requirements) via identified lead management system. Enter and maintain pertinent account and booking information in Delphi FDC in accordance with defined standards. 

Prospecting:

• Research, solicit and generate new leads for business opportunities through database research and proactive sales efforts, maximizing new room revenue and meet and exceed lead generation goals.   
• Create and execute plan to shift share from your competitors.
• Engage in outside sales activities to uncover needs, build relationships and to win new business.

Negotiations:

• Negotiate contracts and commission agreements with end-user customers and intermediaries.
• Provide solutions that both achieve and protect the financial goals of the hotel while strengthening relationships with customers.
• Engage Hilton Worldwide Sales and Hilton Legal to support the contracting process when needed. 

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Requirements

What are we looking for?

Since being founded in 1919, Hilton has been a leader in the hospitality industry. Today, Hilton remains a beacon of innovation, quality, and success. This continued leadership is the result of our Team Members staying true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. Specifically, we look for demonstration of these Values:

 Hospitality - We're passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.

• Integrity - We do the right thing, all the time.
• Leadership - We're leaders in our industry and in our communities.
• Teamwork - We're team players in everything we do.
• Ownership - We're the owners of our actions and decisions.
• Now - We operate with a sense of urgency and discipline

In addition, we look for the demonstration of the following key attributes:

• Quality
• Productivity
• Dependability
• Customer Focus
• Adaptability

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!