Director of Sales & Marketing - The InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf

About Us 

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and one of the world’s leading hotel and resort companies with a family of 19 brands. Our purpose – True Hospitality for Good – comes to life in every one of our collections. With luxury and lifestyle, we are taking it to new heights.

Five visionary brands - InterContinental, Regent Hotels, Six Senses, Vignette Collection and Kimpton Hotels - make up our luxury collection. Individually, they are icons. Together, they bring unforgettable and unparalleled experiences to travelers in over 430 hotels and resorts in 100 countries around the world. 

Having recently added a host of incredible properties to our portfolio, we now stand as one of the world’s leading luxury operators. Each of our hotels cultivates a distinctive style and ambience where we embrace every opportunity to give our guests unforgettable and unparalleled experiences. 

About the hotel

A luxurious hotel destination at The Wharf on D.C.’s Waterfront, the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf in the reimagined Wharf neighborhood brings sophistication to its contemporary style. Perfectly placed on the beautiful Potomac River, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf enjoys the most incredible waterfront views of D.C. Steps away from America’s political epicenter, the hotel embraces guests with an exquisitely curated resort destination that reignites the river’s edge and a captivating sanctuary in the center of The Wharf neighborhood, paying homage to the maritime and industrial-working heritage of its setting.  Featuring a relaxing seasonal rooftop pool with striking Potomac River views and the indulging full-service spa, The Spa at The Wharf, modern luxury, culture, and a rich history combine in the Wharf neighborhood to create a perfect atmosphere for guests and locals alike.

About the Director of Sales & Marketing position

Our hotels bring people together. We’re searching for a Director of Sales & Marketing.  As Director of Sales & Marketing, the position will oversee all functions of the Sales, Marketing, and the Catering and Event Services Department.  Ensure that all conferences, meetings and group activities are coordinated and managed within client expectations. Ensure hotel and client fulfill group contract commitments.

At InterContinental Hotels & Resorts® we want our guests to feel special, cosmopolitan and In the Know which means we need you to:

• Be charming by being approachable, having confidence and showing respect.
• Stay in the moment by understanding and anticipating guests’ needs, being attentive and taking ownership of getting things done.
• Make it memorable by being knowledgeable, sharing stories and showing your style to create moments that make people feel special.

A little taste of your day-to-day

As Sales & Marketing Director you’ll develop and implement strategies to ensure revenue and room night sales goals are achieved, sales and marketing strategies are set, tactical plans are created and implemented, and results are monitored and achieved. 

Key Accountabilities

People 

• Manage daily sales activities, plan and assign work ensuring you always have the right staffing numbers.    
• Develop your team and improve their performance through coaching and feedback, and create performance and development goals for colleagues - recognise good performance.  
• Train colleagues to make sure they hit hotel revenue goals to the standards we expect and have the tools they need to work effectively.  
• Recommend or initiate any HR elated actions where needed.   
• Drive a great working environment for teams to thrive – connect departments to create sense of one team.   
• Interact with outside contacts: guests, vendors, and other contacts as needed.  
• Develop and maintain great working relationships with key clients and outside contacts to increase revenue.  

Financial 

• Hit all personal/team sales goals and maximise profitability.  
• Help prepare the departmental budget and financial plans including the hotel marketing plan.   
• Create and implement sales plans that drive measurable incremental occupancy, increase average rates, increase volume, food and beverage and banquet sales.  
• Produce monthly reports and sales forecasts to analyse current/potential market and sales trends, coordinate activities to increase revenue and market share and monitor performance to ensure actual sales meet or exceed established revenue plan.  
• Review monthly reports and sales forecasts to analyse current/potential market and sales trends, coordinate activities to increase revenue and market share and monitor performance to ensure actual sales meet or exceed established revenue plan. 
• Create and develop special events and sales blitzes to showcase the hotel to potential clients. Attend trade shows and major market events locally and nationally to promote new business and increase sales and marketing opportunities for the hotel.

Guest Experience

• Provide guests with information (example: loyalty programmes, area attractions, restaurants, facility information) to enhance guest experience. 
• Schedule conventions and/or business group activities at the hotel and coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients. 
• Communicate to appropriate departments all pertinent information requirements and special needs for arriving VIP’s, large groups, and other key guests. 
• Lead marketing efforts to up sell guests on hotel services, offerings, and amenities.

Responsible Business 

• Work closely with key business leaders, officials, and representatives of local community groups within the city to ensure constant high profile exposure for the hotel. 
• Effectively communicate and market aspects of the hotel that are sustainable or “green” and use information to gain new business opportunities. 
• Work with advertising agencies, consulting firms, and vendors to maximise advertising investments and ensure ads represent brand identity. 
• Raise the awareness and reputation of your hotel and the brand locally – occasionally acting as hotel representative for media related enquiree. 
• Identify improvements to marketing activities and overall hotel sales performance and work with other departments.  
• Ad-hoc duties – unexpected moments when we have to pull together to get a task done.

Accountability

This is the top sales and marketing job in a large, luxury, resort, or major flagship hotel. Hotel may have multiple sites and facilities, high-volume catering and/or convention facilities, and a large number of VIP and special service guests. May manage a large number of professional level and administrative sales, catering, and/or convention employee

Key Skills & Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent in marketing or related field  
• Four or more years of experience in a hospitality or hotel sales and marketing setting with direct supervisory experience over a sales team
• Strong knowledge of local businesses and business trends required  
• Must speak local language(s)  
•  Other languages preferred

The salary range for this role is $130,000.00 to $150,000.00. This job is also eligible for bonus pay. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401k, and many other benefits to eligible employees.

Who we are

As the world’s first and most global luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has pioneered international travel since the 1940s, we are passionate about sharing our renowned international know-how and cultural wisdom in truly impressive surroundings. We all take great pride in being genuine ambassadors of the InterContinental®️ brand and to be part of the brand you will have a thirst for travel, passion for culture and appreciation for diversity. We create inspiring experiences for those seeking a richer perspective on the world. If you’d like to embrace a world of opportunities, we’d like to welcome you to the world’s most international luxury hotel brand.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.

Important information:

• The salary range listed is the lowest to highest pay scale we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors, including relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs.
• No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until it is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or other form of compensation allocable to a particular employee remain in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
• If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process, please click here.
• IHG does not accept applications, inquiries, or unsolicited CVs/resumes from staffing or recruiting agencies. Please click here for our agency policy.
• If you are a resident of or applying to a job opening in the State of Washington, please click here to read about applicable benefits.