Director of Sales - European, CIS, and Asia

Company Description

Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Raffles is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.  Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. 

About Raffles London

Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall, unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses with a name is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extraordinary adventure. 

This fine Grade II* listed Edwardian building has been transformed with 120 rooms and suites along with a collection of 85 exceptional branded residences. Within The OWO destination there are a total of nine restaurants and three bars, including one by our signature chef Mauro Colagreco. The Guerlain spa and Pillar Wellness offer the latest in wellbeing, and a 600 seated-capacity grand ballroom, The Whitehall, is perfect for all kinds of special occasions and events.

Within these much-storied walls, where legendary statesmen and women once shaped the modern world, guests are now invited to discover new and inspiring emotions and connections. 

At Raffles, you arrive as a guest, leave as a friend and return as family. 

SCOPE OF POSITION

Your role will be responsible for leading and managing the European, CIS, Russia and Asia Leisure market.

Responsible for ensuring all sales calls and leads are fully followed up and logged in line with the Raffles standards. Building relations and growing recognition of the hotel. Achieving time sensitive and budget targets.

Be on site to meet and greet clients, work with the events operations and concierge teams to ensure guests needs are met and ensuring smooth and efficient service and the ability to pre-empt and deliver a luxurious and high-quality level of service.

RESPONSIBILITIES (OR AREAS OF RESPONSIBLITIES FOR SENIOR POSITIONS)

Operation

• To fully penetrate the assigned markets for Leisure sales for Raffles London and build its reputation as one of the top tier luxury hotels in London for official delegations, business, leisure, family and extended stays  
• To work with the Director of Sales & Marketing and the Director of Sales to create and implement a sales strategy in accordance with budget
• To attend sales missions, networking events, trade shows and exhibitions as required
• To prospect opportunities through telephone calls, virtual presentations and in-person visits to research, penetrate and develop new accounts
• To identify and lead the account management of key clients to ensure revenue is maximized
• To create a portfolio of top accounts and keep consistently updated
• To identify potential changes in the market in a timely manner and pivot to ensure that revised strategies are quickly in place in order to stimulate alternative demand channels
• To monitor competitor activity in the market and to be consistently up to date with school holiday schedules, state visits, cultural occasions and political and economic change
• To coordinate logistics & funding and accompany fam trips to Raffles London in order to increase awareness, knowledge and loyalty among key opinion leaders and top bookers from mainland Europe.   
• To work closely with the on-property Reservations Team to ensure all requests are dealt with in a timely manner and are presented with creativity and imagination
• To have a good understanding of revenue management and work collaboratively with the Director of Revenue Strategy to in order to achieve hotel goals
• To manage the sales system to ensure all information is correct and updated and that all bookings, enquiries and activities are logged to maintain a comprehensive account management system and clean database
• To work within the boundaries of the budgeted and forecasted sales expenses
• To ensure payment schedules are made clear to clients and are adhered to at all times 
• To submit reports to the Director of Sales when required  
• To ensure clear, positive and regular communication with the Accor National Account Managers, the Regional Sales Offices and the Luxury Sales Team and to work collaboratively to achieve all goals
• To work with the Director of Sales and the Director of Communications on trade marketing pieces and other ad hoc marketing and promotional activities that will support the sales strategy
• To be entrepreneurial, highly creative and think beyond the boundaries
• To have a very strong knowledge of hotel operations and be ‘hands on’ for VIP arrivals, delegations and throughout high-profile stays
• To take time to get to know customers, to build lasting relationships and be always committed to service excellence

• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned including working in a different department or restaurant, than usually assigned.

Leadership

• To attend and represent the department at daily meetings etc. as required
• To support the wider team and assist with trouble shooting and resolving client and guest challenges as needed
• To strive for high standards across the department and to suggest and implement improvements where needed

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified
• Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and BOMB procedures
• Emergency procedures are rehearsed regularly with attendance records, implemented and enforced to provide for the security and safety of guests and employees
• Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statues and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre-planning a defence against them
• Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Previous experience working in European Leisure sales
• Someone who is organised and efficient
• Someone who possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Someone who has a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role in a luxury environment 
• Someone who has an extensive network of contacts and relationships within the European market

Why join our Raffles team?

Employee Benefits:
Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive colleague perks, including complimentary upgrades, extended stays, discounted stays across Fairmont & Raffles properties, special dining and wellness discounts, and added luxuries to enhance your experience. We believe in taking care of our team, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded with exceptional benefits.

• 28 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years (35 Days).
• Staff meals whist on duty.
• Free dry cleaning for uniform.
• Employer pension contribution of 3%
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Life Assurance 1x salary
• Employee assistance program, including virtual GP and financial advice.
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme.
• Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions.
• Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice.
• Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you.  
• Fun-filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party.
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide and Raffles London F&B outlets.
• Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio.

What are the Raffles Values?

Respect:  We value the needs ideas and individuality of others; we treat everyone with fairness and dignity.

Belonging: We celebrate our differences. We support each other and we always stand together.

Integrity: We build trust through mutual respect and being authentic.

Empowerment:  We have the authority to take initiative and anticipate moments to create unforgettable experiences.

Excellence: We make genuine connections and we cherish every opportunity to make the people around us feel special.

Diversity & Inclusion

Raffles is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.

About the Application Process:

At Raffles, we want to bring out your highest potential. Shortly after applying, you will receive an email from our partner AssessFirst prompting you to create a profile and complete a questionnaire. This is a mandatory step for your candidacy to be considered as it enables us to explore your compatibility with this role and our culture of luxury excellence.

We aim to respond to every application promptly, however if you do not hear form us within 2 weeks, please assume your application has not been successful at this time.