Location: The Hickstead Hotel, Hickstead, West Sussex
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive Basic Salary + Uncapped Performance-Based Commission
ABOUT THE HICKSTEAD HOTEL
The Hickstead Hotel is an established 52-bedroom hotel set within approximately nine acres of grounds in West Sussex, conveniently located near the A23 with excellent access to Gatwick Airport, Brighton, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill.
With extensive meeting and event facilities, a restaurant, bar and versatile function spaces, the hotel offers significant opportunities for corporate accommodation, conferences, weddings, private events and group bookings.
As part of UNO Hotels, The Hickstead is entering an exciting phase of commercial growth.
We are seeking a highly motivated, commercially driven and proactive Sales & Events Manager to lead new business development and maximise revenue opportunities across the property.
This is a hands-on sales role for someone who enjoys going out, meeting clients, developing relationships and winning business — not simply responding to incoming enquiries.
THE ROLE
The successful candidate will take ownership of proactive sales activity for The Hickstead Hotel, focusing on generating new corporate accounts, securing accommodation contracts, increasing meetings and events bookings, and developing long-term commercial partnerships.
You will be responsible for building a strong sales pipeline, converting opportunities into confirmed business and contributing directly to the hotel's revenue growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
PROACTIVE SALES & CORPORATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Identify, approach and secure new corporate accounts across Gatwick, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Brighton and the surrounding business communities.
- Build relationships with Gatwick Airport-related businesses, airlines, aviation training centres, construction contractors, logistics companies and local employers.
- Generate corporate accommodation contracts, long-stay bookings and project-related room nights.
- Conduct regular outbound sales calls, client appointments and face-to-face business development visits.
- Negotiate corporate rates and preferred accommodation agreements.
- Build relationships with corporate travel agents, travel management companies and group booking organisers.
- Develop a consistent pipeline of new business opportunities.
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS
- Proactively generate bookings for conferences, business meetings, training programmes and corporate events.
- Develop relationships with local companies, event agencies, conference organisers and professional associations.
- Promote the hotel's meeting and function facilities to new and existing clients.
- Conduct hotel showrounds, prepare proposals and negotiate event contracts.
- Increase meeting room utilisation, delegate bookings and associated food and beverage revenue.
- Identify opportunities to secure residential conferences combining accommodation, meeting facilities and catering.
WEDDINGS & SOCIAL EVENTS
- Develop wedding and private event business through proactive marketing and relationship building.
- Establish relationships with wedding planners, event organisers and local suppliers.
- Generate enquiries for weddings, celebrations, private dining and special occasions.
- Conduct wedding and event showrounds and convert enquiries into confirmed bookings.
- Support wedding showcases, open days and promotional events.
- Maximise revenue through accommodation, catering, drinks and event packages.
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT & REVENUE GROWTH
- Develop and maintain relationships with existing corporate and event clients.
- Identify opportunities for repeat bookings and increased account spend.
- Work closely with hotel management to identify commercial opportunities.
- Maintain accurate sales records, forecasts and pipeline reports.
- Deliver agreed monthly and quarterly sales targets.
- Provide regular updates on sales activity, new accounts, conversion rates and revenue generated.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are looking for an energetic and ambitious sales professional with a proven track record in hospitality sales.
- Previous experience in proactive hotel sales, corporate business development or meetings and events sales.
- Demonstrable success in securing new business and achieving revenue targets.
- Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Confidence in cold calling, prospecting and conducting client meetings.
- Ability to independently develop and manage a sales pipeline.
- Commercial awareness and a results-oriented approach.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Existing business relationships within Gatwick, Brighton, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath or the wider Sussex area.
- Experience securing corporate accommodation contracts.
- Experience selling residential conferences, meetings and weddings.
- Knowledge of hotel sales systems, CRM platforms and local corporate markets.
WHAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE?
You are someone who:
Enjoys proactively finding new customers rather than waiting for enquiries.
Is confident visiting businesses and presenting hotel services.
Can build long-term corporate relationships.
Understands how to convert sales opportunities into confirmed revenue.
Has a passion for hospitality, weddings and events.
Is self-motivated, accountable and target-driven.
Takes ownership of commercial performance and delivers measurable results.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive basic salary.
- Attractive performance-related commission.
- Opportunity to make a direct impact on hotel revenue and commercial growth.
- Autonomy to develop new business opportunities.
- Support from hotel and group management.
- Career progression opportunities within UNO Hotels.
- A supportive and entrepreneurial working environment.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
- New corporate accounts secured.
- Corporate accommodation revenue generated.
- New meetings and conference bookings.
- Wedding and private event revenue.
- Sales appointments and client visits completed.
- Conversion rates and confirmed business.
- Achievement of agreed revenue targets.
Join The Hickstead Hotel and help drive the next phase of its commercial growth.
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Sales and Events Manager employer: The Hickstead Hotel
The Hickstead Hotel is an exceptional employer that offers a vibrant work culture and a unique opportunity for growth in the heart of West Sussex. With a focus on employee development, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences, we empower our team to take ownership of their roles while enjoying the benefits of working in a dynamic environment close to Gatwick and Brighton. Join us as we embark on an exciting phase of growth, where your contributions will be valued and rewarded.
