Area Director of Sales, Freehand Hotels

About Us

HEI Hotels & Resorts is proud to welcome the Freehand New York to our growing portfolio of distinguished properties. Freehand is a collection of hotels that combine the social culture of a hostel with innovative design, award winning food and beverage, and a community-driven atmosphere. At HEI, we understand that exceptional hotels are built by exceptional people. Our continued success is driven by our associates — the heart of every guest experience. Where people choose to work matters. In return for that choice, we are committed to providing competitive compensation and benefits, industry-leading tools and training, and a culture that empowers growth and excellence. Simply put, we honor the privilege of our associates choosing HEI by investing in them — ensuring they thrive, grow, and elevate every property we serve.

Don't meet every single requirement of this job? At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization!

We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.

Compensation

Salary Range: $170,000.00 - $180,000.00 Annually

Tipped/Service Charge Eligible? No

Discretionary Performance Bonus Eligible? Yes

Overview

This position will be based at the Freehand New York and also oversees the Freehand Los Angeles, Freehand Miami, and Freehand Chicago. Responsible for total room, banquet, catering, and room rental revenue, yield strategies, implementation and accountable to a market performance and meeting budget, forecast, and optimal business mix targets. Strategies to include market mix, pricing, status, and direct sales. The development and solicitation of business from all markets to ensure the necessary advance bookings needed for a successful and profitable operation for the hotel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct the solicitation efforts of the sales staff through effective oral and written communication while overseeing rate, date, and space commitments for group room sales within the hotel. 
• Recruit, Interview, hire, train, recommend performance evaluations, resolve problems, provide open communication, and recommend discipline and/or termination when appropriate.
• Oversee the sales team management of the Freehand portfolio.
• Ensure training programs are conducted regularly and HEI standards of performance are met.  Give guidance and counsel staff toward improvement.
• Compile and/or direct the preparation of reports pertaining to the operation of the Sales Department to include, but not limited to the annual budget, annual and monthly forecast, lead management system, group booking pace report, star reports and sales meeting minutes.
• Coordinate ongoing research of the travel industry to detect market trends and related information for development of new marketing strategies. Make reasonable recommendations to improve potential from various markets.
• Develop and conduct persuasive verbal sales presentations to prospective clients. 
• Lead presentation to ownership and asset management.
• Initiate preparation of computerized annual business plan and execute plans as outlined, critically examining, and adjusting as deemed necessary by current market conditions.
• Organize and/or attend scheduled sales department, executive committee, and related meetings.
• Knowledge of travel industry, current market trends and economic factors.
• Ability to access, understand and accurately input information using a moderately complex computer system.
• Direct and manage all group, transient, and catering/banquet sales activities to maximize revenue for the hotel.
• Prepare, implement, and compile data for the strategic sales plan, monthly reports, annual goals, sales budget, forecasts, and other reports as directed/required.
• Develop rates, group sales and catering deployment strategies through review of competitive data, demand analysis and mix management.
• Professionally represent the hotel in community and industry organizations and events.
• Oversee departmental matters as they relate to federal, state, and local employment and civil rights laws.
• Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.
• Travel (as required)

Qualifications and Skills      

• 5+ years of sales leadership in similar sized operation preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Delphi.
• Knowledge of computer accounting programs, math skills, as well as budgetary analysis capabilities required.
• Extensive knowledge of sales skills, revenue management, recruitment, supervision, training, and motivation of managers.
• Ability to effectively listen, communicate and perform diplomacy with internal and external customers and staff in all situations.
• Ability to stand and move throughout the hotel property and continuously perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences, such as effectively communicating with supervisors, coworkers, public etc.

Benefits

HEI Hotels and Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.