Director of Sales (Based in Athens)

We are looking for a Director of Sales to join our pre-opening team at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, set to open in Summer 2023.

This role will be based in Athens.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is located on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese, one of the most unspoiled and breath-taking landscapes in the Mediterranean, and 45 minutes’ drive from Kalamata International Airport. The beachfront resort will be part of the sustainable resort destination of Costa Navarino, a well-established tourism destination which includes 3 other resorts. It will comprise 99 guest rooms, including 48 pool villas, all with outdoor terraces and sea views, along with five restaurants and bars.

As the Director of Sales, you will take full responsibility for all aspects of the Sales Department’s action plan creation and execution. This includes, but is not limited to, starting and developing international market relationships, liaise with Mandarin Oriental’s Global Sales teams to co-ordinate and drive activities that aim to create a flow of new business whilst maintaining the brand’s relationships, mainly within the luxury leisure and luxury groups/events segmentation. The Director of Sales will support the Director of Commercial Strategy in developing the annual Sales budget, proactively driving the commercial strategy through Sales activities attached to various channels and provide innovative suggestions in terms of actions that help with our brand’s right positioning in the market.

The Director of Sales will be responsible for the following:

• Provide leadership, motivation, training, and support to the Sales Department.
• Study, create, monitor and analyse data and business reports in an effective way. Use them to come up with goal-oriented ideas and specific actions that can help us achieve revenue growth.
• Organize and attend both client engagement and industry partners’ activities either at the resort or other locations, when necessary, including, but not limited to Familiarization trips, entertainment activities, Roadshows, Tradeshows and other.
• Set a leadership example for the department in professionalism and striving to exceed guest expectations on a daily basis, as well as consistently offer exceptional, friendly, and engaging service.
• Showcase a problem-solving and coaching type of behaviour towards colleagues in situations to ensure that guest and partners expectations are exceeded.
• Under the guidance of Director of Commercial Strategy, responsible for maximizing hotel revenue and market share through sales activities, key contracts, and partnership agreements.
• Work with the Director of Marketing for the creation of necessary sales and marketing collateral related to sales activities, i.e.: sales presentations for a specific market based on specifications.
• Leverage on Global Sales Team’s Account action plan and support centralized activities.
• Ensure a high-end luxury performance and communication style is followed in any opportunity given and respect the brand’s guidelines across the board.
• Proactively and strategically target and win new business alliances.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum of five-year experience in Sales in luxury resorts or hotels. Advanced knowledge of a minimum of two key global markets is mandatory.
• Self-motivated, outgoing, and driven with the ability to work both as part of a team and autonomously.
• Demonstrated experience and success in a similar, results orientated, sales management role.
• Confidence to lead sales performance and manage various stakeholders.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.
• Supervisory skills including team builder, leadership skills and willing to take responsibilities.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and organization skills including multi-tasking.
• A positive, service-oriented, and enthusiastic attitude are required for this role.
• Strong English communication skills - written & verbal. Additional languages, including Greek is a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure and possess high degree of stamina, agility, and flexibility.
• Strong computer knowledge.