Director Sales Marketing

Description

Job Summary

Right in the heart of downtown Austin, just off I-35, the Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown puts guests in the middle of everything that makes Austin such a great place to visit, work, meet, and experience. With the University of Texas nearby, downtown businesses and entertainment just minutes away, and some of the city's best-known events and attractions at our doorstep, there is no shortage of opportunity—or personality—to sell.

We're looking for a Director of Sales & Marketing who is excited to get out into the Austin community, build relationships, find new business, and create a sales strategy that takes advantage of everything this market has to offer. From corporate and university business to groups, events, entertainment, and weekend demand, this role is about understanding what brings people to Austin and making our hotel part of their experience.

With engaged ownership, new management, and opportunities to continue enhancing and activating the property, this is a great role for a sales leader who wants to put their own stamp on a hotel and have a direct impact on its success.

You'll partner closely with the General Manager, Revenue Management, Hilton, and Avion Hospitality to grow market share, strengthen key accounts, uncover new opportunities, and ultimately drive revenue, profitability, and long-term success for the hotel.

Commercial Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Own and execute the hotel's overall sales and marketing strategy across group, corporate, transient, catering, and local market segments.
• Identify new revenue opportunities and build strategies to capture emerging Austin demand generators.
• Develop annual sales plans, budgets, forecasts, account strategies, and measurable revenue goals.
• Partner closely with Revenue Management and the General Manager on pricing, need dates, business mix, pace, market trends, and competitive positioning.
• Continuously evaluate market performance and adjust deployment and sales strategies to maximize revenue and profitability.

Business Development

• Lead proactive prospecting efforts through outside sales calls, networking, site tours, client entertainment, industry events, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and grow relationships with key corporate accounts, meeting planners, universities, associations, entertainment partners, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Monitor production of top accounts while continually developing new accounts and market segments.
• Negotiate contracts and business terms that balance revenue opportunity with hotel profitability.
• Build strong relationships throughout the Austin business and hospitality community.

Marketing & Market Positioning

• Partner with Hilton, Avion Digital, field marketing resources, and outside partners to strengthen the hotel's positioning and visibility.
• Identify creative opportunities to showcase the hotel, its downtown location, and its unique spaces and experiences.
• Develop strategies around citywide events, university demand, entertainment, conventions, compression periods, and major Austin events.
• Ensure sales and marketing efforts consistently communicate a compelling and competitive hotel story.

Leadership & Sales Culture

• Lead, coach, develop, and hold the hotel's sales team accountable for measurable results.
• Establish clear sales goals, activity expectations, account ownership, and follow-up standards.
• Create a culture where sales is not limited to the Sales Department—train hotel leaders and associates to recognize opportunities and generate leads.
• Recruit, develop, and retain strong sales talent while creating opportunities for continued professional growth.
• Maintain strong communication and alignment with hotel Operations, Revenue Management, and Avion leadership.

Owner & Performance Accountability

• Maintain a strong understanding of hotel financial performance, competitive position, market share, and sales productivity.
• Clearly communicate sales strategy, opportunities, risks, and results to hotel and corporate leadership.
• Measure the effectiveness and ROI of sales and marketing initiatives and adjust strategy when results are not meeting expectations.
• Operate within approved budgets while continuously identifying opportunities to improve revenue and profitability.

Education & Experience

•  At least 6 years of progressive hotel sales experience preferred; or a 4-year college degree and at least 2 years of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and at least 4 years of related experience.
•  Must have a valid driver’s license in the applicable state.
•  Must possess highly developed verbal & written communication skills to frequently negotiate, convince, sell and influence other managerial personnel, hotel guest(s) and/or corporate clients.
•  Must have thorough experience with professional selling skills: opening, probing, supporting, closing
•  Shows strong analytical skills and strategic vision in establishing appropriate sales deployment
•  Must be proficient in general computer knowledge especially Microsoft Office products
•  Must be able to work independently and simultaneously manage multiple tasks
•  Strong organization and presentation skills
•  Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and manage people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds while solving complex problems and creating a productive sales team.
•  Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the sales/marketing/hospitality

Requirements

 Education & Experience

•  At least 6 years of progressive hotel sales experience preferred; or a 4-year college degree and at least 2 years of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and at least 4 years of related experience.
•  Must have a valid driver’s license in the applicable state.
•  Must possess highly developed verbal & written communication skills to frequently negotiate, convince, sell and influence other managerial personnel, hotel guest(s) and/or corporate clients.
•  Must have thorough experience with professional selling skills: opening, probing, supporting, closing
•  Shows strong analytical skills and strategic vision in establishing appropriate sales deployment
•  Must be proficient in general computer knowledge especially Microsoft Office products
•  Must be able to work independently and simultaneously manage multiple tasks
•  Strong organization and presentation skills
•  Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and manage people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds while solving complex problems and creating a productive sales team.
•  Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the sales/marketing/hospitality

Leadership Expectations

The Director of Sales & Marketing is expected to operate as a commercial leader, business developer, and ambassador for the hotel. Success in this role requires someone who understands the numbers, knows the market, builds relationships, develops people, and is energized by creating business—not simply maintaining it.

This leader will be expected to bring ideas to the table, challenge existing strategies when appropriate, anticipate changes in the market, and continuously look for the next opportunity to strengthen the hotel's performance.

At Avion Hospitality, we lead through Trust, Transparency, and Results—and we are looking for a sales leader who will bring those values to our clients, our team, our ownership partners, and the Austin community.