Director Of Sales And Marketing

JOB SUMMARYThe Director of Sales & Marketing is responsible for establishing Capella Florence as one of Europe's most sought-after ultra-luxury hotels ahead of opening and leading the commercial strategy through launch and stabilization.This individual will build international demand across luxury leisure, high-end corporate, group and events, while positioning the hotel at the very top of Florence's luxury market. The role requires exceptional commercial leadership, strategic brand stewardship and the ability to cultivate influential global relationships across luxury travel advisors, consortia, media and key luxury partners.Working closely with the General Manager, Corporate Commercial Leadership and Regional Sales Offices, the Director of Sales & Marketing will develop and execute an integrated commercial strategy encompassing Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Distribution and Public Relations to deliver sustained market leadership, premium rate positioning and long-term brand equity.THE ROLEDevelop and execute the commercial strategy for Capella's most significant European openings.Build premium demand well in advance of opening through strategic market activation.Position Capella Florence at the top of the competitive luxury set, achieving market-leading ADR and RevPAR.Create an integrated commercial strategy spanning Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Digital, Distribution, PR, Social and Partnerships.Drive owner confidence through disciplined commercial planning and performance reporting.Secure inclusion, develop and personally manage relationships with key luxury travel advisor networks including Virtuoso, Serandipians, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and other strategic luxury distribution partners.Build preferred partnerships with leading luxury travel agencies across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.Establish Capella Florence as a preferred hotel among the world's leading luxury travel advisors.Personally cultivate relationships with influential travel advisors, UHNW travel designers, family offices, luxury corporate accounts, destination management companies and key opinion leaders to build long-term commercial value.Develop and execute the complete commercial pre-opening critical path.Recruit, mentor and build a high-performing commercial team, instilling a revenue culture and mindset.Lead opening campaigns encompassing Rooms, F&B and Spa.Establish an optimal market penetration strategy.Define and launch opening offers that will cement Capella Florence’s ultra-luxury positioning.Launch CRM strategy.Build database within Salesforce.Develop opening calendar across Marketing, Sales and all Commercial touchpoints.Lead media preview strategy that will positively impact global visibility.Optimise channel mix to maximise direct contribution while leveraging strategic luxury distribution partners.Collaborate with Revenue Management to develop pricing, segmentation and inventory strategies aligned with Capella's premium positioning.Protect and elevate Capella's brand standards across every commercial touchpoint.Ensure all communications reinforce the brand's positioning within the ultra-luxury segment.Identify strategic collaborations that strengthen awareness amongst affluent global travellers.Formulate and implement diverse Sales & Marketing strategies to maximize room revenue.Understands the respective market and competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.Direct Sales team and ensure they meet the targets set in the annual business plan.Attend all major local and overseas trade shows, hotel and tourist association meetings to identify market opportunities for the hotel.Plan and where appropriate, execute sales trips to key existing market areas and identify new potential market areas.Lead Guidance Team engagement, organize and accompany famil and site inspection trips of the hotel by major clients.Direct Sales team in identifying market opportunities for increasing the revenue produced by group meetings, functions and special events.Direct Reservations Sales team in driving conversion and upselling through telephone calls and delivering high level of customer service to call-in guests.Actively engaged with Marketing Communications team in formulating and implementing strategies to create awareness for the hotel in local and international markets through various media and marketing partnerships.Establish Capella Florence as the city's most sought-after destination by cultivating relationships with influential local social, business and cultural communities and positioning the hotel as the preferred venue for high profile guests and events.Drive the commercial objectives of Food & Beverage and Spa in promoting the facilities in increasing revenue.Perform any other reasonable duties as required by the General Manager from time to time.Manage budget of the entire Sales & Marketing Division, monitor and control the expenses and ensure that there is no substantial overrun of costs.Works collaboratively with available sales channels, i.E. Property Sales, Regional Sales Offices and Corporate Teams to ensure sales efforts are coordinated, complementary and not duplicative.Continuously focuses on improving Guest Engagement to create customer loyalty and increase market share.TALENT PROFILEQualificationBachelor’s Degree in either Hospitality Management, Business Management, Communications, Sales & Marketing or equivalent.Work ExperienceMinimum 8–10 years progressive commercial leadership experience within internationally recognised ultra-luxury hotel brands.Previous experience leading Sales & Marketing for a Forbes Five-Star or equivalent ultra-luxury hotel strongly preferred.Demonstrated success leading at least one luxury hotel in an international market.Proven ability to launch and position ultra-luxury hotels at the top of their competitive markets.Strong commercial leadership with a track record of delivering premium ADR, RevPAR and market share.Executive presence capable of engaging owners, UHNW clients, global partners and the world's leading luxury travel advisors.Technical SkillsMust possess excellent organizational and planning skills.Proven track record of achieving Sales & Marketing targets and success of hotel pre-opening.Extensive experience managing luxury travel consortia including Virtuoso, Serandipians, Traveller Made, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and leading luxury wholesale partners.Deep understanding of international luxury demand from North America, UK, Europe, GCC, Australia and Asia Pacific.Inspirational leader with demonstrated ability to attract, develop and retain exceptional commercial talent.Demonstrates a strong business acumen.Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to draft, read and organize information from proposals and contracts.Kindly be informed only shortlisted candidates will be notified.