Job Description
Company:
Peacefully located in a wooded setting with views over the green landscape of Walloon Brabant, close to Wavre and Louvain-la-Neuve. This 19th – century Anglo-Norman style château is situated just 15-20 minutes from Brussels and the national airport. The hotel offers 110 rooms and is set within a 3-hectare park featuring gardens and private terraces. It has also leading conference & event venue with 3 fully equipped meeting rooms and a 380 m² banqueting room with strong focus on high-quality meeting and events. In addition, the hotel will further emphasize its wellness facilities offering different treatments and a high-end wellness experience in a unique environment.
About the Job
* The position is accountable for proactively soliciting and handling sales opportunities focusing on the MICE segment (agencies, DMC, incentive houses) as well 1 special industries (such as pharmaceuticals, automotive).
* Lead all day-to-day activities related to sales with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of sales objectives.
* Driving revenue growth by proactively identifying and pursuing sales opportunities within assigned client portfolio.
* Reaches personal sales goals and, together with the DOSM and GC&E (Groups Congresses & Events) Team, executes overall sales strategy of the hotel.
Principal Accountabilities
Managing Sales Activities:
* Responsible in achieving the room and catering sales objectives of MICE markets and segment.
* Act as the primary point of contact for client inquiries and concerns for his/her client portfolio
* Represents and promotes the hotel by maintaining constant contact with the market and the customer base of his/her responsibility through customer relationship management.
* Solicit new and existing accounts to meet/exceed revenue goals through telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communication.
* Solicit group business that enables the hotel to meet and/or exceed revenue goals in rooms, meeting&events and food&beverage.
* Negotiate group contracts/agreements for the hotel in accordance with current business and pricing conditions determined in the hotel’s selling strategy.
* Assists with selling, implementation and follow-through of group sales promotions, as well conversion support of the re-active sales team.
* Maintains and updates sales records as required.
* Prepare correspondence to customers; prepare and use internal (and/or company) sales systems, reports and statistics and file maintenance.
* Attend tradeshows & workshops, community events and FAM Trips and industry meetings (national and international), regular travel during pre-opening and opening year is required.
* Participate in business review meeting, pre-convention meetings, trainings and other sales-related meetings as required.
* Develops a close working relationship with operations and other departments in order to execute strategies at the property level.
* Provides other sales support where needed to other commercial segments, upon direction from General Manager and Sales Leadership, understanding and supporting overall sales strategy.
* Play a crucial role in expanding the hotel’s international footprint by establishing and nurturing relationships with Marriott Global Sales Offices and global Sales Managers.
* Identifies new business to achieve personal and the hotels’ revenue goals.
* Develops relationships within the MICE community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities.
* Create a sales activity plan for the MICE segment & its feeder markets on mid-term & long-term and accordingly implement it.
* Put & keep the hotel as leader in the market through the development of future and repeat business.
* Act as an “Ambassador” for the Cardo brand & hotel.
Providing Exceptional Customer Service
* Supports the company’s service and relationship strategy, driving customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience.
* Services our customers in order to grow share of the account.
* Executes and supports the company’s customer service standards.
* Provides excellent customer service consistent with the daily service basics of the company.
* Sets a positive example for guest relations
* Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
Knowledge of Market Trends
* Develop/maintain knowledge of market trends, supply and demand and competition.
* Gains understanding of the hotel primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solutions.
* Using knowledge of market trends, tools and target customer information to maximize revenue.
* Understands the overall market – competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc… and knows how to sell against them.
Skills Required
* Action orientated with a high drive for results
* A passion for sales and hospitality service
* Networker, influencer and people person
* Very effective communicator; presentations, written
* Positive approach & attitude, possessing the Cardo DNA
* Fluent in English, French and/or Dutch, an extra language is an asset
* In-depth understanding of government, diplomatic environment and knowledge of the European Institutions in Brussels
* Great connection with key government accounts in the market
* International experience is advantageous
Candidate Profile
Education and Experience
Minimum 4-year experience in similar role in comparable property with sizeable rooms and meeting spaces.
Preferred:
* Has demonstrated the ability to always work on behalf of guests.
* Has demonstrated the ability to cooperate with other departments in the hotel, particularly (group) reservations and the banqueting department, to create an exceptional guest experience.
* Shown ability to evaluate and identify business opportunities for a business and to develop an action plan to convert this business.
* Strong commercial understanding including sales, marketing, e-commerce.
* Successful track record of working in a collaborative/matrixed environment.
Advantages
* Full time employee contract
* Attractive package & benefits