sales manager Oxford, England
Job description
The Oxford Collection is a small, privately owned group of two luxury 5* hotels and three restaurants that consists of the Old Bank Hotel, the Old Parsonage Hotel, Parsonage Grill, Gees Restaurant & Bar, and Quod Restaurant & Bar. Having very recently undergone a complete refurbishment programme, we have 78 bedrooms across two iconic properties in central Oxford, with unrivaled views across the city’s beautiful skyline.
We offer support, training, and development opportunities to help your career flourish. We believe that investment in each and every one of our ‘collectives’ is key to the success of our business and the happiness of our customers. As a member of our team, we are looking for an exceptional candidate who shares these values.
We are looking for a Corporate Sales Manager to join our team at The Oxford Collection.
The Reservations & Events team is located in our beautifully renovated offices, situated in St. Giles, central Oxford.
The ideal candidate:
- Self-motivated, driven, results-orientated, proactive, positive attitude
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent people management skills
- Highly organised, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Reservations and guest relations experience within the luxury hospitality sector would be needed
Corporate Sales Manager responsibilities:
- Identify new corporate and leisure business opportunities and nurture new partnerships with key businesses – locally, nationally, and internationally
- Focus on growing business in specific market segments where the opportunities benefit the hotels above other segments. (i.e., leisure vs corporate), and use this information to form agreements and contracts with national and international travel agents, tour operators, and businesses
- Develop and implement strategic sales plans that expand a company’s customer base and solidify its presence
- Identify emerging markets and market shifts while being fully aware of new products and competition status
- Train, manage, and encourage the sales team to upsell where possible, and form excellent relationships with all guests, specifically those who are loyal to The Oxford Collection
- Identify new commercial opportunities and present them to the Head of Revenue & Sales and the Director of Operations
- Ensure The Oxford Collection has up-to-date and presentable marketing collateral to provide to all potential guests when making enquiries online or in person
- Collaborate with the Marketing department to ensure we are following the booking window and advertising relevant packages/rates/rooms based on the demand and need periods
- Collaborate with the Marketing department to ensure all applicable rates and packages are visible and bookable online and are easily found through searches on Google/Bing etc.
- Alongside the Head of Revenue & Sales, Director of Operations, and the Marketing department, develop and execute a strategic sales plan in line with our revenue strategy and therefore create the marketing calendar to encourage more volume in specific segments and ensure we are targeting our desired customers/guests
- Achieve growth and hit sales targets by successfully managing sales teams and assessing the teams’ strengths and weaknesses
- Exceed pre-determined room night and revenue goals as outlined by the Head of Revenue & Sales
- Compile and analyze month-end report, review and implement actions to address market changes
- Within established parameters, quote and negotiate rates with clients, handle and follow up on contracts and RFPs within the company guidelines
- Conduct site inspections, facilitate FAM trips, and assume the responsibility as the direct sales contact
- Maintain a strong liaison with the Central Reservations Management Team to ensure all the new clients are looked after and the agreed rates/offer are always available
- Maintain a strong liaison with the Operation Teams to ensure all VIPs and preferred accounts are managed accordingly
- Upon closing all critical business deals, coordinate with all the hotel departments to ensure delivery of superior guest service
- Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required
- Act as an ambassador for The Oxford Collection and role model for the team, always leading by example
- Attend weekly meetings with the Head of Revenue & Sales to discuss team performance
- Train, coach, mentor and motivate the Central Reservations Sales Team by maintaining a positive and engaging environment in order to increase, well-being and productivity and to achieve sales targets
- Ensure training and development plans are carried out on an ongoing basis and standards are monitored continuously to increase the performance and effectiveness of the Central Reservations Team
- Provide support to the reporting line in tasks such as, but not restricted to, rate loading, daily pickup, and groups and events past and ahead reports
- Take ownership and be responsible for best practice standards to include but not restricted to: market demand; event calendar; competitor analysis
- Be familiar with Oxford, the surrounding area, and its market (business parks and companies to target)
- Be confident in having full product knowledge of The Oxford Collection in order to be able to sell the facilities confidently
- Be confident in having knowledge of all systems for The Oxford Collection for Rooms, F&B, Events Sales, and Revenue
- Show teamwork and flexibility and liaise with the teams at The Oxford Collection as required for guest requests and daily correspondence checks
- Be intuitive and passionate in maximizing room revenue, function room hire and average spending by cross-selling, selling, and up-selling The Oxford Collection hotels, venues and restaurants at all times and to secure business by offering alternative or fallback options
We offer a 40-hour working week (Monday to Sunday rota with two days off) with a salary of £35,000 per annum plus non-contractual service charge (tronc).
Benefits of the role include:
- 50% discount on food within our restaurants
- Up to £700 recruitment incentive
- Membership to our Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action
- Pension scheme
- Complimentary ‘Manager’s meal’ within one of our restaurants every six months
- Opportunities to develop within the Company
- 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays per annum
- A paid day off on your birthday
- Team awards and prizes
- Hospitality Rewards: offering discounted gym membership, high-street and online shopping discounts, discounted vouchers, and a cashback card
Eligibility to work within the UK must be proven and two references should be available on request.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
Supplemental pay types:
- Tips
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Oxford: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
