Sales Manager – Leisure

Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Center: A Symphony of French Elegance and Saudi Arabian Warmth
The Sofitel Riyadh is dedicated to providing a five-star experience characterized by luxury, elegance, and impeccable service. The hotel's commitment to personalized attention ensures that each guest's stay is not just comfortable but memorable. Blending urban sophistication with refined opulence, the Sofitel Riyadh creates an atmosphere where every detail is thoughtfully curated to offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

As the Sales Manager – Leisure at Sofitel Riyadh, you will be responsible for managing and driving leisure sales activities. Your role is critical in positioning the hotel as a preferred destination for leisure travelers by building strong relationships with key partners, driving room sales, and promoting Sofitel’s luxury offerings. As part of the pre-opening team, you will contribute to developing the hotel's presence in the Riyadh leisure market and creating long-term partnerships with travel trade partners.

Key Responsibilities:

· Develop Leisure Sales Strategy: Create and implement effective sales strategies for the local travel trade, travel agencies, and intermediary agencies to generate room bookings and leisure business for Sofitel Riyadh.

· Build Key Relationships: Establish strong relationships with local travel agencies, tour operators, and intermediary agencies to drive sales and ensure the hotel is top-of-mind for leisure bookings.

· Negotiate and Close Deals: Lead negotiations for rates, packages, and contracts with travel agencies and intermediary partners to secure bookings while maximizing revenue and ensuring Sofitel’s brand standards are maintained.

· Local Market Knowledge: Maintain an in-depth understanding of the local travel trade market in Riyadh, identifying key players and staying informed of market trends and competitor activities.

· Pre-opening Contributions: Assist in pre-opening tasks such as building client databases, organizing familiarization trips (FAM trips) for key travel trade partners, and supporting sales campaigns to launch Sofitel Riyadh in the leisure market.

· Leisure Sales Growth: Focus on increasing the hotel’s leisure business by working with travel partners to promote special offers, seasonal packages, and group stays for leisure travelers.

· FAM Trips and Site Inspections: Organize and host site inspections and familiarization trips for local travel agents, tour operators, and intermediary partners to showcase Sofitel Riyadh’s unique offerings and luxurious guest experience.

· Sales Reporting: Prepare regular sales reports, forecasts, and performance updates for senior management, analyzing trends and opportunities in the leisure market.

· Internal Coordination: Collaborate closely with the marketing, reservations, and revenue management teams to ensure that leisure sales strategies align with pricing, promotions, and brand positioning.

· Promote Group Leisure Business: Work on securing group bookings from local agencies for leisure group stays, ensuring smooth coordination between sales, operations, and guest services for successful execution.

· Customer Service: Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service to travel trade partners, handling inquiries promptly, and ensuring seamless communication throughout the sales process.

· Experience: Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in leisure sales, preferably within the luxury hotel sector. Experience working with local travel agencies and intermediary agencies in Saudi Arabia or the Middle East is highly preferred.

· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Hospitality Management, or a related field.

· Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of the leisure travel market in Riyadh and the wider Middle East region. Experience working with travel agencies, tour operators, and intermediary agencies is essential.

· Language Skills: Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is highly advantageous.

· Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Ability to manage multiple accounts and handle complex sales processes efficiently. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

· Personal Traits: A dynamic, results-driven individual with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be adaptable, proactive, and thrive in a fast-paced, pre-opening environment