Cluster Director of Sales (Hotel Indigo Chester/Courtyard By Marriott Keele) - Chester

Cluster Director of Sales (Hotel Indigo Chester/Courtyard By Marriott Keele) - Chester Cluster Director of Sales (Hotel Indigo Chester/Courtyard By Marriott Keele) 50000 per annum Hotel Indigo Chester, Chester Discover two distinctive hotels in one exciting cluster role. Hotel Indigo Chester is a boutique hotel inspired by its historic neighbourhood, where Tudor buildings, half-timbered houses and medieval architecture tell the city’s story. The hotel is home to our restaurant, The Forge, where contemporary British cooking combines traditional techniques, a passion for wild food and the finest local ingredients. Courtyard by Marriott Keele, at Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park, combines a vibrant university setting with the Staffordshire countryside, welcoming business, university and leisure guests. Contemporary bedrooms, inviting social spaces and naturally lit meeting rooms offer space to work and unwind, while Scholars Restaurant & Terrace provides a relaxed setting for dining and drinks. This role offers the rare opportunity to work across two internationally recognised brands, balancing the individuality and storytelling of Hotel Indigo with the operational excellence and global standards of Marriott. No two days are the same, making this an ideal position for someone who thrives on variety, collaboration and the chance to make an impact across multiple locations. The Role We are seeking an accomplished proactive hospitality sales professional with at least two years’ experience in a senior sales role across corporate business travel, group sales, meetings, events and food and beverage sales. Strong commercial acumen is essential, alongside a proven track record of winning new business, developing valuable client relationships maximising conversion rates, increasing client satisfaction at your hotels and delivering measurable revenue growth. You will understand how to turn market insight and proactive sales activity into profitable opportunities, balancing ambition with sound commercial judgement. Driven, upbeat and approachable, you will enjoy opening doors, building connections and representing the hotels with confidence and enthusiasm. You will be ready to embrace challenges, show initiative and remain focused when opportunities require persistence. Equally important is a commitment to continuous learning: you will welcome feedback, share ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues and senior leadership to achieve shared commercial goals. A good knowledge of the local areas and business communities your hotels are based in would be greatly beneficial. Reporting into the General Managers and the Group Director – Sales and Marketing, this is a property-based role requiring travel to meet clients, agents and attend events, with some evening and weekend working required. The successful candidate will manage their time with approximately 70% towards new business opportunities and 30% account management, driving corporate business travel, MICE, groups and events, whilst supporting and showing commercial leadership to the hotel’s reactive sales, reservations and revenue teams. The Cluster Director of Sales Role will - Business Development & Revenue Generation Drive new and existing business across hotel bedrooms, meetings and events and associated food & beverage. Identify and target new business opportunities across the following business segments: Corporate transient travel MICE (meetings, incentive, conferences and exhibitions) Events Corporate groups Specialist group travel (government, educational, sports, entertainment and media) All associated food and beverage and bedroom revenue Implement and deliver strategic sales plans and activity that deliver measurable, incremental growth in: Total Revenue Per Available Room (TrevPar) Occupancy Average rates (ADR) Average client/delegate spend Pipeline, enquiry volume and conversion rates Confirmed and consumed business Market share Ensure all RFP’s (request for proposal’s) and quotations are commercially sound, cost-effective, profitable and delivered within required timeframes. Submit compelling business cases to win new business, to brand key account directors and travel managers. Use creative initiatives, persistence and determination to win new business. Account Management & Client Relations Manage and nurture existing accounts to retain and grow market share. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, corporate and MICE agents, brand key account directors and TMC’s (Travel Management Companies) through regular calls, meetings, office visits, presentations and lunch-and-learn sessions. Maintain a strong understanding of key clients’ businesses and future requirements to grow account value, forecast revenue and trends accurately and respond to changing needs. Business Development Attend exhibitions, trade shows and networking events to raise the profile of your hotels. Support your hotels with high-value client site inspections. Host familiarisation trips on and off property. Represent the hotels and management company as a brand ambassador, consistently promoting relevant offers, marketing campaigns, and brand values. Present a positive, professional image to clients and partners. Market Intelligence & Competitor Analysis Research and deliver market intelligence, continually building knowledge of the local market and business landscape to support your hotel’s commercial advantage. Develop expert product and competitor knowledge, utilising hotel sales reporting tools to analyse competitor USPs, pricing structures, and key clients, to identify and win market share. Technology, Data & Platform Management Maintain a strong working knowledge of the hotel’s PMS (property management system), CRM (customer relationship management system), and all relevant sales platforms. Ensure the CRM systems are updated with accurate, real-time client data and sales pipelines. Ensure the hotels are accurately represented across web sites, web listings, relevant sales platforms, brand content pages and tourism board pages. Team Support & Leadership Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and colleagues, both verbally and in writing. Build strong working relationships and open communication with key internal stakeholders across your hotels and restaurants. Provide clear leadership and guidance to on-property sales and reservations teams, fostering a positive, productive and commercially focused environment that inspires a motivated and driven team. Build strong working relationships and open communication with internal stakeholders across your hotels and restaurants. Reporting, Strategy & Administration Complete monthly sales reports in line with company expectations. Support senior hotel and commercial leaders with owner trade reports, commercial strategy plans, forecasts, and budgets. Attend and actively contribute to commercial strategy meetings, brand commercial meetings, central sales meetings, and any additional group sales initiatives implemented. Assist the General Manager and hotel team with the hotel marketing strategy. Review sales strategy, pipeline, commercial plans and KPI’s with the Group Director – Sales & Marketing plus the General Manager and relevant stakeholders on a regular basis. Attend brand commercial and sales meetings as required and share key insights with relevant senior hotel leaders and the Group Director – Sales & Marketing. Complete all required sales and hotel training within agreed timescales. Attend any other training or communication meetings required to support the effective performance of the role, locally or nationally. Maintain full compliance with company policies, procedures and health and safety regulations. Maintain confidentiality and ensure all guest and client information is handled in line with data protection requirements. Respond quickly and positively to changing requirements and business needs. Manage expenses professionally in line with company policy, prioritising cost-effectiveness and a reduced carbon footprint. Complete any other reasonable tasks as directed by your direct line manager or commercial line manager. Benefits: Heavily discounted Staff Room Rates at all Castlebridge properties for you and your friends and family, so everyone can enjoy a break away 50% off your bill when you dine in one of our Restaurants or Bars Fully funded Apprenticeship programme Cycle to work scheme Healthcare Cash Plans - dental, optical, medical and more available from just £1 per week Referral schemes for referring your friends or family to join our team Monthly colleague recognition through our 5-Star Service rewards programme and monetary rewards for long service milestones Use of Wagestream financial wellbeing platform, allowing you to access your pay as and when you need it Employee Assistance Programme - free, confidential advice available 24/7 An internal communications hub which acts as our very own social media platform, connecting you to your colleagues and the wider group in seconds41bf1e1f-b16b-4260-a40a-17c77a06fd15