Assistant Director of Sales - Europe

Virgin Hotels Collection is the parent brand of Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition, two award-winning and world-class luxury hospitality brands that form part of Sir Richard Branson’s global Virgin Group. Dedicated to providing guests with irresistible and unrivalled hospitality experiences across the world, while making a meaningful and positive contribution to the communities and destinations the brands operate in, Virgin Hotels Collection boasts some of the most incredible and unique properties in the world.

Virgin Limited Edition takes guests to some of the world’s most breathtaking sanctuaries for unforgettable experiences, including one of the most exclusive private islands in the world. The collection of unique retreats are chosen for their beautiful locations and magnificent surroundings with each offering a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service. The ultra-luxury brand includes the famed Necker Island and the Branson Estate in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands; Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa; Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco; The Lodge in Verbier; Mahali Mzuri and Finch Hattons; tented safari camps in Kenya; Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard in South Africa and Son Bunyola Hotel and Villas in Mallorca, Spain.

Virgin Hotels is a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service with a personalised hotel experience, inspired by innovation. Each property blends a passion for food and beverage with music, design, and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travellers and locals alike. Currently consisting of seven hotels (and counting), Virgin Hotels has an exciting growth plan and is ready to change the luxury hotel business for good.

This hybrid working role is based in London office where our central teams are located. The official office hours are 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday however you would be required to work as and when necessary to fulfil your role. No overtime is payable.

The Assistant Director of Sales will report into the Executive Director of Sales and will be responsible for the productivity and achievement of sales goals for the brand’s top producing accounts in their respective region as well as identifying new suitable and qualified accounts for Virgin Hotels Collection, with particular focus on those with exclusive use business potential. To be considered for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK.

Here’s what you’d do:

• Build and deliver a proactive sales strategy using real-time market, competitor and customer insight, with quarterly SMART goals.
• Identify growth opportunities and optimise sales performance through market and trend analysis.
• Drive revenue by increasing hotel awareness via sales calls, presentations, networking, industry events, and targeted outreach (cold calling/emailing).
• Execute short-term initiatives and long-term plans to grow transient market share across assigned territory and key accounts.
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Sales (EMEA) to secure and confirm individual and group business against budget targets.
• Partner with Revenue and Marketing to create targeted campaigns and promotions to attract leisure travellers.
• Develop and maintain strong trade relationships (travel advisors, luxury travel networks, tour operators, DMCs, meeting planners and incentive houses).
• Provide professional, timely account service across individual reservations and group enquiries; manage tour operator contracting and brochure copy checks.
• Act as a visible brand ambassador, promoting Virgin culture, best practices and innovation across on-property teams and partners (including Preferred Hotels & Resorts).
• Support and coach the team to monitor performance and adapt strategies to maximise results.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years of Luxury Hotel experience, with established relationships in the leisure market within the assigned region.
• Able to demonstrate quick wins, to gain incremental business to the brand within first 90 days.
• Strategic thinker with high emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask, work independently, produce high quality work, and meet deadlines.
• Awareness of other cultures and ability to work seamlessly across different countries.
• Good communicator, team player and personable.
• Exceptional follow-up capabilities and a strong business development acumen.
• Strong time management skills, able to manage multiple priorities and reprioritise when necessary.
• Knowledge of and ability to analyse strategies through utilisation of Amadeus Agency360.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and understand financial data as it relates to sales performance.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Package & Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Sales performance related bonus.
• Hybrid working with at least 2 days working from the office a week.
• 25 days paid holiday per year plus public holidays.
• Additional day off for your birthday and a paid day off to support the charity of your choice.
• Life assurance cover with us.
• You will be auto enrolled into the group pension scheme after completing 3 months service, and could achieve up to 6% employer contribution.
• A monthly cash allowance; a flexible and inclusive way of delivering our benefit package.
• We will contribute 50% towards private healthcare after 12 months service & then 100% after 2 years’ service.
• Discounts on Virgin products.
• Fun and relaxed working environment.

If this sounds like your next role, we’d love to hear from you very soon...