Area Director, Group Sales - Fairmont Vancouver Hotels

This is a position for a strong strategic leader with experience in senior sales roles at luxury hotels. The Area Director, Group Sales oversees the group sales activities for Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Waterfront. This senior leader builds out the group sales strategies, ensures revenue maximization, supports existing client relationships and builds new business opportunities for each of the hotels. The Area Director, Group Sales is constantly looking to identify synergies, to support cross selling and to achieve and exceed the set goal for each individual on the team.

What is in it for you:

Cosmopolitan by nature - With the most luxurious accommodation, extraordinary cuisine, inviting ocean views, cultural celebrations and West Coast recreation, Fairmont’s hotels in Vancouver are simply unrivalled.  Be an ambassador for the brand, where your leadership, strong interpersonal skills and strategic vision will drive solid operating results, an engaged team and memorable guest experiences. 

• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within Fairmont Pacific Rim and across the world!
• A competitive salary, starting from $125,000.00 per annum
• Eligible for bonuses and/or salary increases in accordance with company policy
• Extensive benefits package including health, paramedical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance for those meeting eligibility requirements
• Company-matched pension plan and ability to enroll in the Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan for those meeting eligibility requirements
• Complimentary work meal through our Colleague Dining Program
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Travel reimbursement program for a TransLink monthly pass
• Complimentary hotel stay for newly hired employees with breakfast for two through our BE OUR GUEST program

What you will be doing:

Based out of one of the Vancouver properties, and reporting to the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing with dotted line to Directors, Sales and Marketing at the three Vancouver properties, responsibilities and essential job functions include:

• Provide exceptional leadership and support to our regional group sales team, fostering a “can do” work ethic
• Responsible for maximizing revenues and maintaining relationships with key accounts by actively seeking out opportunities and develop strategies and tactics focused on surpassing budgeted group revenue goals
• Regular prospecting of new business and develop key accounts for the region
• Conduct routine & timely calls on all accounts
• Organize and lead client events, sites & business development trips
• Participate in training, industry trade shows and sales trips
• Collaborate with Marketing and PR teams to develop and execute winning group focused marketing and media initiatives, campaigns and collateral
• Manage regional travel budget to maximize proactive opportunities and exposure for the region
• Communicate and represent the group sales department to operations at each hotel. Communicating/hosting sites (sales and operations), attending Leadership meetings, Resume & Pre-con Meetings, and ensuring strong sales presence while customers are onsite
• Champion ALL Meeting Planner program
• Develop and enhance authentically local comprehensive themed events, activities and activations 
• Assist Directors of Sales & Marketing in the following areas:
  • Support the forecasting, budgeting, and month end/commentary process
  • Assist with development of Marketing Plan, Budget and Sale Activity calendar
  • Protect/manage meeting/function space to maximize group revenues
  • Ensure rate quotes and negotiations for room contracts are within the established parameters
  • Responsible for initial client recovery and resolution
  • Champion team efficiency/use of applications and tools
  • Collect market & competitive intelligence to access and implement strategy and long-term goals
  • Lead communication with hotel suppliers: Encore, Global Sales & Industry Partners
  • Represent the hotel on  group meeting committees
• Ensure high accountability of area sales team through:
  • Establish annual group goal setting in collaboration with sales leadership
  • Building out strategic action plans by market
  • Establishing a business development strategy Meeting monthly reporting deadlines and activity goals
  • Ensure prompt and courteous service is extended to both internal and external customers
• Support the goals, objectives and philosophies of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim and Fairmont Waterfront
• Embody the values of AccorHotels: Guest Passion, Sustainable Performance, Spirit of Conquest, Innovation, Trust & Respect
• Balance operational, administrative and Colleague needs
• Follow departmental policies and procedures, and all safety policies
• Other duties as assigned

Your experience and skills include:

• Minimum of five years hotel sales experience required, with minimum 2 years as a leadership role in a luxury hotel environment
• Bachelors Degree and/or Hotel Management Degree preferred
• Multiple property sales experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal required
• Computer literacy in various applications including Opera Sales & Catering System (or other CMS), Microsoft Office, Cvent, TravelClick-D360, LinkedIn
• Goal oriented, competitive and well organized
• Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities
• Ability to analyze financial data to create winning group strategies and solutions
• Expertise in the Sales Process – ability to execute and hold accountable
• Experience creating comprehensive themes (ex, tailored packages/offerings/event experiences) and resulting sales collateral / promotions
• Positive attitude, firm and supportive, team based approach to ensure attainment of the hotel’s short and long term goals
• Ability to travel and work flexible hours and days
• Be a role model in pro-active sales

Your team and working environment:

Key Working Relationships: Regional Vice President, General Managers, Regional Director Sales & Marketing, Directors of Sales & Marketing, Director of Sales, Director of Events and Sales Leaders.  This position will also work closely with Operations Leaders, Revenue Management Leaders, Public Relations and Marketing Leaders.

People Management:  The Area Director of Group Sales will work alongside and lead a team consisting of four to five sales leaders and three coordinators. 

Visa requirements: Successful candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates with Canadian work authorization.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit  https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS #GREATPLACETOWORK