Business Development Manager, Group Sales

Key Goals & Objectives

• Drive lead generation and revenue growth from North American clients for member hotels with a primary focus on North American properties.
• Develop and expand relationships with new corporate and incentive group travel clients.
• Proactively identify new business opportunities to increase market share for our member hotels with a primary focus on North America properties.
• Consistently meet or exceed sales targets through strategic prospecting and relationship management.
• Represent The Leading Hotels of the World as the leader in luxury hospitality with passion and professionalism, reinforcing its position in the luxury travel sector.

This is a full-time position located in New York City. We offer flexible, hybrid workplace policies that allow for working remotely 3 days a week and require being in our NYC office 2 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities within the luxury group travel market for our member hotels while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Assess pipeline activity to identify opportunities for support, strategic engagement, and business growth with member hotels as needed.
• Increase brand awareness and market preference by fostering strong relationships with new key accounts, member hotels, and industry stakeholders across the assigned region.
• Collaborate with member hotels to create compelling offerings tailored to client needs that result in revenue growth and increased lead volume.
• Develop and execute targeted sales strategies to maximize leads, confirmed bookings and revenue for our member hotels.
• Track sales performance and client engagement through CRM tools, leveraging data insights to identify and pursue potential clients.
• Develop compelling presentations and lead efficient meetings with internal teams, senior management, project stakeholders, and hoteliers.
• Participate in planning events for member hotels such as sales missions, client educational programs (FAMs) and any events assigned by leadership while ensuring strong ROI by targeting hotels and accounts with the highest revenue potential.
• Represent The Leading Hotels of the World at LHW events, trade shows and industry networking events to enhance brand visibility, strengthen relationships and identify new business opportunities.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities.
• Manage own travel and successfully set up and expedite direct and collaborative sales calls.
• Responsible for developing and meeting annual expense budgets for assigned market while ensuring all sales activities maximize client engagement and ROI.
• Responsible for developing personal OKRs as part of the LHW performance management efforts.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Group Sales, East Coast ensuring all strategies, client outreach initiatives, and major sales activities are reviewed and approved before execution.
• Oversee and execute special and ongoing projects assigned by the Director of Group Sales, East Coast.
• Willingness to adapt to evolving job responsibilities and business priorities

Requirements & Experience

• 3+ years of experience in MICE and group related business development, sales, or account management within the luxury hospitality or group travel sector.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales goals.
• Established network of corporate and incentive luxury group travel buyers is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the North American luxury travel market and client expectations.
• Experience working with high-net-worth clientele, incentive and corporate travel planners, and luxury event organizers.
• Fluent in English (written & spoken) other languages are desirable.

Skills & Abilities

• Possesses fundamental sales skills including an understanding of all phases of the group travel experience
• Shows tenacity, perseverance, and consistency, thrives in a competitive environment and is relentless in pursuit of success.
• Demonstrates solid organizational and planning skills and is able to work independently while collaborating with a supervisor and larger team.
• Efficiently multi-tasks and works in a fluid and ever-changing work environment.
• Possesses strong negotiation and persuasion skills to drive revenue growth.
• Translates broad strategic thinking and analysis into a clear course of action
• Displays the ability to build trust, influence and ignite enthusiasm in clients and colleagues.
• Autonomously and proactively manages key accounts and develops mid-tier accounts.
• Able to work and communicate with clients and hotels from varied and diverse backgrounds.
• Strong Salesforce, Outlook, Word and Excel skills
• Effectively prepares written and verbal presentations and is comfortable presenting
• Displays passion for luxury travel and an understanding of what differentiates high-end hospitality experiences.
• Shows strong financial discipline with the ability to manage travel and entertainment expenses effectively within budget.
• Embodies The Leading hotels of the World core values
• Flexible team player with excellent cross-functional and interpersonal skills
• Executive polish and presence
• Ability to travel and promote The Leading Hotels of the World within assigned territory as required
• Maintains a positive attitude

Compensation

Expected Salary*: $87,000-89,000

Target Annual Incentive bonus: 25%

*Actual compensation within that range will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience, location and applicable laws.

Benefits

The Leading Hotels of the World fosters a high-performance culture and generously rewards its employees for their contributions. Here is just a preview of the benefits we offer:

• 22 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 paid holidays, including birthdays as a personal holiday
• Medical coverage available within the first month
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company seed
• 401(k) company match up to 4% of salary
• Up to $500 for home office setup credit
• Up to $500 travel credit that supports and encourages our employees’ passion for travel
• Unlimited access to financial advisors
• 4 weeks work-from-anywhere

About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW)

Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, LHW is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW. Since then, the Company has carefully curated distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is filled with exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every experience. LHW’s collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and uncommon experiences, enhanced by LHW’s tiered guest loyalty program Leaders Club. From converted former palaces, and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps – and beyond – explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments. For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld

LHW is an equal opportunity employer. LHW does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, handicap, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other applicable legally protected category.