Director of Sales

Reports to: General Manager, position is exempt

WHO WE ARE Hotels done differently. It’s not just a slogan or catchphrase, it is who we are in everything we do. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character; ensuring our properties are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated as a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities in which we operate; elevating our associates’ pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. The Detroit Foundation Hotel has transformed the historic Detroit Fire Department Headquarters into a 100 room independent hotel that adds another piece to the ongoing Detroit renaissance puzzle. The hotel draws on the Motor-City's unparalleled past while proactively moving the city to its next incarnation as a national cultural, business and artistic touch-point. Featuring an inviting ground-floor restaurant, The Apparatus Room, the hotel partners with local distillers, brewers, farmers and other edible sundry purveyors to deliver an authentic Detroit experience. The hotel is managed by Aparium, which was founded in 2011, driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings.

WHO YOU ARE

You are humble and understand the need to work side by side with others; and you take feedback to make things better seriously. It is quite natural for you to walk into a hotel and see the potential of the environment and how it could work for a variety of people, groups, events or meetings.

THE ROLE

This leadership role requires the tenacity to build an efficient and productive sales office and base of business; it is not for the faint of heart. If you are known to have the grit that is associated with an entrepreneurial spirit, then we invite you to your next career opportunity.

As an active participant in both the sales process and function of the Detroit Foundation Hotel you will leverage your experience and capabilities to identify and respond to market needs with a brand-new product, unlike anything that exists within the local market today. This position will require strong effort to make deep inroads in the local community, collaborate with a diverse team and sell all group market segments.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Reinforce the company’s Art + Science ideologies to ensure the experiences of trans local hospitality, intuitive service, and collaboration are implemented and modeled by yourself and every leader of the hotel.
• Actively participate in the interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and motivating associates to create an environment that nurtures ideas and develops future talent for succession planning.
• Ensure a sense of belonging for associates by upholding the company’s values and guidelines for a Respectful Workplace, Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive environment.
• Role model the company’s open-door policy and employee engagement practices, which makes the hotel a great place to work.
• Build and maintain a trusting and transparent relationship with all stakeholders, specifically taking the time to develop rapport and respect with the individuals of your peer group, known as the Executive Committee.
• Understand who the hotel is and what we aspire to be by following established practices and procedures.
• Dive deep to understand client needs and develop the relationship with the client.
• Lead and direct the sales catering teams in developing and executing the sales and marketing plan.
• Coach Sales team by collaboratively helping them creatively solve problems when challenges arise.
• Clever in maximizing hotel revenue through effective pricing strategies for transient or group inventory.
• Pivot short-term strategy to compensate for short-term needs, without compromising long-term goals.
• Establish regular and frequent communication with Aparium Headquarters to ensure initiatives are executed within the hotel marketing plan.
• Craft and establish the annual sales goals, ensuring they are fully understood and implemented in the hotel.
• Direct the reporting and apprising of results against planned objectives.
• Develop the annual budget and sales + marketing plan in collaboration with the General Manager and Controller.
• Evaluates, solicits, sells and confirms group + transient business in assigned to meet overall budgeted sales and profitability.
• Collaborate with GM and Director of Lifestyle on strategic management of meeting/public space.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of three (3) years as a Director of Sales within upscale, lifestyle or luxury hospitality companies.
• Bachelor’s degree in sales, marketing, communications, or hospitality is preferred though not required if you have the proven years of experience in a Director role.
• Past experience of working within a boutique-lifestyle or independent hotel company is a plus.
• Professional proficiency of the English language in reading, writing and verbal communication.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• Highly analytical in thought and recommendations.
• Engages others in general conversation tactics to build rapport quickly.
• Passionate in driving results of their effort and others.
• Comfortable in being a “general” in identifying strategic needs.
• Approaches fact finding and discovery missions in a collaborative effort.
• Values the importance of making decisions with integrity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and a sense of belonging for all associates.