Director of Sales - Luxury Leisure (Pre-Opening) - Waldorf Astoria

As the Director of Sales - Luxury Leisure, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards. Strategic Planning and Execution. Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies to achieve revenue targets and drive business growth. Analyze market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and inform strategic decisions. Create and manage sales budgets, forecasts, and performance reports, delivering actionable insights to support financial goals and continuous improvement. Client Relationship Management. Build and nurture strong relationships with luxury leisure guests, travel agents, and tour operators to drive repeat business and brand loyalty. Conduct regular client meetings, presentations, and site inspections to effectively showcase the hotel’s offerings and service excellence. Ensure outstanding guest service and satisfaction throughout the client journey to foster long-term partnerships and sustained patronage. Leadership and Team Management. Inspire and lead a high-performing sales team to consistently achieve individual and collective targets. Cultivate a collaborative, results-driven culture that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Champion professional development by providing regular coaching, training, and growth opportunities tailored to each team member’s career path. Negotiation and Deal Closure. Strategically lead contract negotiations to secure mutually beneficial agreements that drive revenue growth and profitability. Demonstrate expertise in closing high-value deals with precision and professionalism, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Facilitate seamless transitions to the operations team, maintaining clarity and continuity throughout the guest onboarding process. Monitor contract execution proactively, resolving issues promptly to uphold service excellence and strengthen guest relationships. Stay abreast of evolving industry trends, market dynamics, and competitor activities to maintain a strategic advantage. Represent the hotel at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions to enhance brand visibility and cultivate valuable partnerships. Leverage market intelligence to craft and execute innovative sales strategies that drive growth and position the hotel competitively. A Director of Sales - Luxury Leisure serving Hilton Brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. Extensive experience in sales management and leadership within renowned 5-star international luxury hotel chains. Proven success in pre-opening hotel projects, with the ability to establish and drive high-performing sales teams from the ground up. Proven ability to design and implement strategic sales initiatives that drive revenue growth and elevate brand presence. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for influencing stakeholders and fostering long-term partnerships. Strong analytical capabilities, with experience in market research, forecasting, and performance analysis to support data-driven decision-making. Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing sales teams in a dynamic, results-oriented environment. Proficiency in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms and digital sales tools, with a forward-thinking approach to technology and innovation.