Director of Sales- Pre Opening Hotel

Over the past two decades, The First Group has forged a reputation as one of the hospitality industry’s leading innovators, providing groundbreaking investment opportunities to clients and partners, while delivering exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests. Our corporate ethos and unique vision for the future of hospitality is encapsulated in our fast-growing portfolio of award-winning hotels and residences, exciting F&B outlets and lifestyle venues, and delivered through our array of complementary third-party hotel and asset management services.

Core to our vision for the future of hospitality is The First Collection, our award-winning hotel brand that reflects the rich culture, innovative spirit, and unparalleled refinement for which Dubai is famous for. The First Collection’s urban lifestyle resorts, situated in prime locations across Dubai, are renowned for their unique blend of world-class hospitality and modern flair, as well as their cutting-edge guest facilities and services, which include exclusive access to the stunning Soluna Restaurants and Beach Club, located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah.

Every hotel in our fast-growing portfolio reflects our ambition to capture the essence of urban living, blending it seamlessly with the tranquillity of a serene getaway. The First Collection echoes the city’s heartbeat, ensuring all our guests are made to feel a part of the magnificent tapestry of Dubai, the world’s most exciting metropolis.

Job Summary:
We are seeking a results-driven and strategic Director of Sales to join our leadership team for the pre-opening of the tallest hotel in the world, located in the iconic Dubai Marina. This role requires an innovative and dynamic leader who will drive revenue growth, lead the sales team, and establish strong relationships with clients to position the hotel as a market leader in luxury hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening Phase:

• Collaborate with the pre-opening team to develop and implement the sales strategy for the hotel, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and market expectations.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales team that will drive revenue and create lasting business relationships.
• Develop the hotel’s pricing strategy, including group, transient, and corporate business, ensuring maximum profitability.
• Set up sales processes, tools, and systems to effectively track performance and generate business.
• Oversee the development and execution of the hotel’s sales and marketing plans.

Revenue Generation and Strategy:

• Drive top-line revenue growth through strategic sales initiatives across all market segments, including corporate, leisure, group, and events.
• Develop and implement targeted strategies to secure new business, increase market share, and build brand awareness.
• Foster relationships with key corporate clients, travel agents, event planners, and other key stakeholders to secure long-term business partnerships.
• Collaborate with the revenue management team to develop and implement pricing strategies that maximize hotel occupancy and profitability.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and motivate the sales team, ensuring alignment with the hotel’s objectives and brand values.
• Establish sales goals and monitor performance against KPIs, ensuring the team’s success in achieving targets.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and professional development opportunities to enhance the team’s skills and performance.
• Create a collaborative and results-driven sales culture within the team.

Market Research and Competitive Analysis:

• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, new opportunities, and potential risks.
• Use market insights to adjust the sales strategy and adapt to changing conditions, staying ahead of competitors.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the local and international hospitality market, identifying key demand drivers.

Sales Operations and Reporting:

• Monitor and report on sales performance, including the effectiveness of campaigns, booking trends, and revenue generation.
• Ensure all sales activities are tracked and documented in CRM systems to optimize lead conversion and relationship management.
• Prepare regular sales reports for senior management, providing insights into performance, market conditions, and business opportunities.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Establish strong, lasting relationships with key accounts and clients to ensure continued business.
• Oversee the preparation of proposals, contracts, and presentations, ensuring they meet client expectations and hotel standards.
• Work closely with the operations team to ensure smooth transitions from sales to event execution, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Representing the brand in key international industry events- Must be ready to travel.

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in hotel sales, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in luxury hotels or large-scale properties.
• Proven experience in hotel pre-openings and managing sales teams to exceed revenue targets is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of local and international markets, including corporate, group, and leisure segments.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in sales and CRM systems, with a solid understanding of sales analytics and reporting.
• Ability to think strategically and implement creative sales solutions.