At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales and marketing for a luxury hotel, driving growth in various segments.
- Company: Dunluce Lodge, a stunning five-star hotel on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, exclusive discounts, wellness activities, and healthcare options.
- Other info: Regular travel across the UK and Ireland, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the luxury hospitality sector.
- Qualifications: Sales and marketing experience, ideally in luxury hotels; creativity and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Dunluce Lodge is looking for a Director of Sales & Marketing to lead UK and Ireland commercial activity for one of Northern Ireland's only five-star hotels. You'll take ownership of the hotel's sales and marketing plan, driving strategies that grow the luxury leisure, corporate, groups and social events segments — while working alongside colleagues focused on international and inbound business to keep the whole commercial picture aligned.
Day to day, that means staying close to the competitor landscape and market rate intelligence, and using that insight to identify new business and grow existing accounts. You'll be the driving force behind promoting the hotel, The Stookan and restaurant for exclusive use, weddings, celebrations and corporate and social events across the domestic market, building relationships with corporate clients, event agencies, luxury travel advisors and destination management companies.
You'll manage the hotel's CRM, data and database processes, develop partnerships with local attractions and tourism providers, and plan the local and domestic marketing campaigns and collateral that support them. The hotel's social media strategy, website content and third-party platform presence sit with you, as does coordinating PR activity.
Beyond the day-to-day, you'll represent Dunluce Lodge at UK and Ireland trade shows, exhibitions and networking events, and work with Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and other industry bodies to maximise domestic promotional opportunities. You'll partner closely with the General Manager on community and local business relationships, and with the Revenue Team and Valor Sales Director on aligning strategy to drive UK and Ireland revenue growth — attending Commercial Meetings, Sales Reviews and Business Reviews, and owning the actions that come out of them. You'll also support the preparation of the annual sales and marketing budget within your areas of responsibility. Performance is monitored through the Valor Sales Metrics, with bi-annual KPIs agreed with the General Manager and Valor Sales Director.
What We're Looking For
You’ll bring sales and marketing experience from a similar role, ideally within a luxury hotel, and experience selling and marketing an independent property. Familiarity with Salesforce CRM is a plus but not essential — what matters more is confidence across Microsoft Office, Teams or Zoom for virtual selling, social and digital marketing channels, and B2C/B2B email marketing systems. This is a role for someone outgoing, motivated and creative, with strong sales, negotiation and presentation skills, and the resilience to prioritise competing deadlines under pressure. You’ll be based at Dunluce, with regular travel across the UK and Island of Ireland to visit clients and attend events.
About the Hotel
Dunluce Lodge is a new five-star luxury hotel and spa set on the edge of Royal Portrush Golf Club's fourth fairway, on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast in County Antrim. The 35-suite property — including eight suites in its private annex, The Stookan, for larger groups — offers à la carte dining, tasting menus, a wine vault and private dining spaces, alongside an intimate spa and onsite putting green. Overlooking the Atlantic and close to the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Lodge is the region's first five-star hotel.
In Addition to Competitive Rates of Pay, We Also Offer
- Exclusive discounts for you, your friends and family
- Valor team member rates at our UK hotels, with rooms from just £30 Bed and Breakfast
- Discounted stays for friends and family
- 50% discount when dining in our restaurants and bars
- Free meals while on duty, keeping you well‑fueled
- Access to high‑street discounts on a range of shops, experiences and more
- Up to 40% savings on a wide range of bikes, with our Cycle to Work Scheme
- Generous refer‑a‑friend bonuses, starting at £250
- Caring for your health and wellbeing, both in and outside of work
- A calendar of wellness activities — from healthy lunches to wellbeing walks and pay day treats, not forgetting our annual #HealthyHabits campaign
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, providing free confidential advice, 24/7, for you and your family, supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing
- Healthcare Cash Plan options, from just £5 per month
Fancy joining our team? We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Director of Sales & Marketing in Portrush employer: Valor Hospitality
As a Leisure Club Manager, you will thrive in a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With access to comprehensive training programmes, competitive pay, and exclusive discounts, our company fosters an environment where you can grow your career while enjoying meaningful interactions with members. Join us in creating a positive impact on the community through wellness activities and team recognition initiatives, all within a supportive and flexible workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Sales & Marketing in Portrush
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Valor Hospitality and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Valor Hospitality are looking for.
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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Valor Hospitality on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Sales & Marketing in Portrush
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Valor Hospitality. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Valor Hospitality:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Valor Hospitality’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valor Hospitality
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Valor Hospitality will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Valor Hospitality, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.