Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.
At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.
Join us deep in the heart of the world’s most celebrated wildlife reserves, where the Big Five – the lion, the leopard, the buffalo, the elephant and the rhinoceros – run free on the endless, untamed landscape. Perched on a series of elevated platforms and walkways, our Lodge sits next to an animal watering hole, where you can watch a family of elephants stop for their morning drink. Nestled in the heart of Central Serengeti amid wide-open plains, our Lodge is just a 45-minute drive from the Seronera Airstrip, accessible by connecting flights from three main airports within Tanzania. This beautiful lodge opened under the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts family in December 2012, and has 77 rooms including 12 suites and 5 villas, 3 stunning Food and Beverage venues, our unique Discovery Centre offering an interactive experience where you can learn about the wildlife, history and people of the Serengeti, Kijana Kids Club, a spa with 6 free-standing treatment pavilions offering bespoke rituals and treatments that celebrate Africa’s magic and mystique, fitness center and a dedicated team bringing your magical wildlife safaris experiences to life.
This post will be based in Arusha, Tanzania.
This position reports to our Senior Director of Marketing.
Work authorization for the location is required.
As a member of the Marketing Division, the Senior Director of Sales works across disciplines to deliver an exceptional experience and provide leadership.
The Senior Director of Sales will proactively solicit new accounts, groups and event bookings for the hotel, from accounts within the designated segment and territory. In addition, this position is responsible for planning and executing sales trips, client events, sales calls and customer recognition to effectively position the hotel in the buying cycle. Actively partake in the weekly group pipeline meeting, yield strategy/forecast meetings. This position will include travel to designated territories. Ability to handle key accounts and to provide market intelligence for the group pipeline, yield/forecast meetings, marketing plan and annual fiscal budget. Follow-up on all leads and maintain a good relationship with key accounts.
Develop and implement strategies to exceed financial results and drive market share, customer satisfaction, employee loyalty, owner loyalty, and brand strength for the hotel.
Develop and implement a sales strategy to effectively manage all the different sales channels; utilize on-property sales resources and leverage all above property sales engines to deliver results. Ensure the development of strategic account plans for the demand generators in the market. Deploy sales team against appropriate market segments.
Will assist in the development of the annual marketing plan, ensure projects are executed for all market areas as stated in the hotel marketing plan with emphasis on increasing sales and profitability, review market analysis and determine client needs, occupancy potential, rates desired, etc., supervise the installation of sales and marketing procedures and ensure the hotel is in compliance with all company Minimum Operating Standards, use and take advantage of company provided Marketing "Tools." and Analyse sales statistics against booked vs. consumed business.
Proactively positions and markets the property to remain a market leader and strengthen Four Seasons brand image. Develop and execute a marketing strategy to drive revenue and meet property objectives.
Act as the customer expert and customer advocate at the hotel. Ensures sales and marketing information provided to the operations departments is timely, accurate and enables property to meet or exceed guest expectations, create customer loyalty and grow market share. Ensures execution of brand strategy and brand initiatives in all sales processes and continually focuses on improving guest satisfaction.
Strategic business thinker. Strategically evaluates and makes decisions based on data. Identify changing market conditions and introduces appropriate changes in sales and marketing strategy to meet or exceed customer expectations,
Proactive, business-focused, data-driven and ROI-minded maximize revenue and ensure a competitive position in the market.
Uses data (STAR report, Hotelligence, shop scores, etc.) and other resources to maintain an awareness of the hotel’s market position. Research competitor’s strategies to identify ways to grow occupancy and RevPAR and increase market share.
Encourages sales team to set and exceed challenging objectives. Takes calculated risks to move the department forward.
Knows the business, the competition, the clients and customer trends. Represent the customer needs to the rest of the hotel, and constantly identify and communicate potential new revenue opportunities to the hotel executive team influencing the development of plans to tap those opportunities.
Proactively develops and maintains effective relationships with internal and external key stakeholder groups. Works with operations department heads to ensure sales strategies are aligned with the overall hotel plan.
Liaise and strengthen relationship with main accounts to drive business and increase fare market share.
Create and execute account plans for assigned market territory to ensure maximum revenue and budgeted targets are achieved.
Conduct sales calls, prospecting calls, site inspections, and entertainment in the assigned
Balances the interests of the sales and marketing group with the interests of the rest of the organization.
Effectively manage communication with Four Seasons Sales Offices maintaining regular dialogue and providing Sales & Marketing updates
Leads on-property sales functions and leverages above property sales resources to deliver results.
Translates strategy into specific business actions and individual accountabilities that achieve results.
Accomplishes desired results by setting priorities and effectively managing through people and processes, using reliable tools, and leveraging resources and other parts of the organization.
Hire, retain and develop diverse, high-calibre talent that makes a strong positive impact on the organization, and creates and sustains a work environment that embraces the brand’s culture, ensures fair and equitable treatment and associate satisfaction to enable business success.
Assign clear accountability to team members and monitor implementation to assure success and accountability for results.
Adhere to the Company's Procedures and rules.
Maintain strict confidentiality and ensure work is of the highest level.
Manage, motivate and lead the sales managers to achieve their goals.
Oversee and direct the sales efforts of both Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti and Four Seasons Hotel the Westcliff Johannesburg.
To assist the Director of Marketing in achieving business growth and profitability objectives, integration with the hospitality operations departments and development of budgets and business plans.
UK and US markets knowledge is a plus.
Candidates should exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and team leadership competencies.
Excellent communication and organizational skills; reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the English language is required.
Applicants are required to have at least three to five years’ experience.
Multi-property/cluster experience is a plus.
Proven sales track record with a strong knowledge of the luxury consortia business
Creative and innovative approach to sales activities
Strong leadership skills to manage diverse employee group with a wide range of experience, resulting in a positive working environment.
Excellent negotiation skills and strong decision-making abilities
Working on a computer skills and knowledge including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Delphi, Internet and Opera