Director of Group Sales

TWA Hotel is a prestigious hospitality establishment located at New York's JFK Airport, renowned for its unique blend of historic significance and modern luxury. Owned and operated by MCR, the third-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, the TWA Hotel stands as a landmark destination for travelers seeking both comfort and style. MCR boasts a vast portfolio of 148 premium-branded hotels with over 22,000 guestrooms across 37 states and 106 cities, operating under leading names such as Marriott and Hilton. Founded in 2006, MCR supports more than 7,000 team members nationwide and is recognized for its innovative approach to travel and hospitality, including earning accolades like Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Travel Companies of 2020 and multiple awards from Marriott and Hilton for performance excellence.

The TWA Hotel's Director of Group Sales plays a vital leadership role responsible for directing, coordinating, training, and supervising the Group Sales Managers and their support staff to drive comprehensive sales efforts within the hotel. This position holds direct responsibility for the Corporate group segment, focusing on increasing direct revenue, growing existing accounts, and generating new business to meet or exceed budgeted revenue targets. The role involves the development of sales strategies, execution of tactical plans, and close collaboration with other hotel leadership to optimize room rates, group ceilings, and deployment based on competitive market data and demand analysis.

This leadership position requires the development of sales plans that not only meet revenue and room night goals but also support overall hotel profitability and market presence. The Director of Group Sales oversees both proactive and reactive initiatives, including account acquisition, retention, and strategic share-shifting within the corporate segment. Essential to success in this role is the ability to recruit, manage, and mentor sales staff effectively while participating actively in key sales presentations, property tours, and client meetings.

The role demands strong organizational skills to supervise and ensure timely completion of all sales department activities while maintaining strict adherence to company sales policies and procedures. This Director is tasked with evaluating new business opportunities and promotional efforts to maximize hotel revenue. Additionally, they manage client relations from initial inquiry through contract negotiation and service account maintenance. Accountability for assigned market accounts, generating quarterly SMART plans, preparing weekly sales reports, and cultivating valuable industry and community relationships are also core responsibilities.

As a key member of the Executive team, the Director of Group Sales collaborates on cutting-edge group and event plans while exemplifying leadership by coaching sales staff to implement strategic initiatives efficiently. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, are crucial, as is a commitment to customer service excellence through continuous feedback integration and improved service delivery. This role includes some travel for event attendance and industry trade shows, highlighting the dynamic and demanding nature of the position.

Overall, the Director of Group Sales position at the TWA Hotel offers an exciting opportunity for a seasoned hospitality sales professional to lead a high-performing sales team, contribute to the hotel's continued success in a competitive market, and benefit from the robust support and resources of MCR, a leading hotel operator with an impressive track record of innovation and excellence.