Senior Director of Sales & Marketing

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

High up on the rocky Witwatersrand is where you’ll find us. Despite being in the middle of South Africa’s largest city, our Westcliff Hotel feels like a chic hillside village, with nine sun-splashed villas woven with courtyards, fountains and gardens. Take a ride up our glass elevator to meet friends for seasonally inspired dishes at Flames, visit our destination day spa that captures the serenity of the region with its nature-inspired treatments, or simply step out onto your room’s balcony to enjoy a quiet moment as you admire the endless treetops that stretch out before you.

About Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff, Johannesburg and Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti

Four Seasons Hotel the Westcliff, Johannesburg and Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti are looking for stars to join our amazing properties and to be a part of our dream team!

We seek a highly motivated and service-minded individual to join the Sales & Marketing Team as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing. This role will be reporting directly to the Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff, Johannesburg, and General Manager of Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti.

The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified by its employees, people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has been ranked FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

“The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion, and culture. It’s the Golden Rule – the simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.” – Isadore Sharp, Founder and Chairman Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Sales and Marketing is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation and evaluation of all marketing activities including positioning, placement, sales, catering, pricing & revenue management, reservations, advertising, and public relations for Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff Johannesburg and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.

The Senior Director of Sales and Marketing is expected to create and implement marketing strategies and tactics that ensure all marketing activities focus on maintaining the unique positioning of the properties.

A key focus is the development and leadership of the Sales and Marketing team. The leader must ensure the Four Seasons Leadership Behaviours and Golden Rule are embraced and practiced throughout the division and hotels.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

General

1. Oversees Sales & Marketing Departments for both Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff based in South Africa, and Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, in Tanzania. This includes Sales, Catering, Revenue, PR & Communications, and Reservations.
2. Builds a talented and driven team, sets a good example, and fosters a culture of ongoing learning and development among staff members; actively engages in employee relations events and initiatives.
3. Adheres to the Four Seasons Operating Standards and is a role model for the Four Seasons Leadership Behaviours.
4. Represents both properties in all areas, internally and externally, to the highest standard, in line with established guidelines and procedures.
5. Undertakes other duties and responsibilities outside of the daily/weekly routine, but within the overall scope of the position.
6. Performs other duties and projects as directed by the General Manager or Senior Management, relating to the two properties.
7. Leads in the budget preparation and ensures the department operates within cost constraints, i.e. direct selling costs, etc.
8. Continuously be aware of current and forecasted financial/business performance.

Sales & Marketing

1. Develop an annual Sales and Marketing Plan and objectives so as to maximize revenue while carrying out the sales and marketing activities for the properties.
2. Research new market opportunities and develop strategies to penetrate companies likely to produce business for the hotel.
3. Negotiate, draft, generate and confirm/sign group contracts that ensure hotel budget and revenue targets are achieved.
4. Identify, and target group clients that will generate business on behalf of hotel but not conflict with WSO efforts.
5. Work closely with WSO offices on all sales and marketing activities. Be familiar with the key players in WSO offices around the globe.
6. Develop overseas accounts by planning and conducting international sales trips.
7. Prepare and report on statistics useful to our sales efforts including nationality, guest origin, booking sources. Ensure continued use of C360 and other programs to help drive business growth.
8. Advise in negotiation to achieve maximum revenue/profit potential while satisfying client's needs.
9. Be proactive and creative in developing sales and marketing solutions.
10. Plan, organise and participate in familiarisation tours as required.

People Leadership

1. Recruit, select, and acquaint sales department staff with the Hotels and their operations.
2. Employees in the sales department should receive training and direction on how to carry out their activities with regard to reporting guidelines, performance techniques, and position-specific obligations.
3. Work closely with the team (Director of Sales, Director of Catering, Revenue Manager and Director of PR & Communications) on a daily basis as it pertains to sales and marketing activities for your responsible markets.
4. Establish the performance standards in collaboration with the relevant General Managers so that you may evaluate the advancement of the allocated staff.
5. Work with Senior Managers in the division to manage date records of account base performance and regularly review and forecast. Ensure regular feedback given to drive individual performance and financial targets.
6. Foster a cooperative working climate conducive to maximum employee morale and productivity where a diverse group of people work harmoniously together.
7. Conduct performance evaluations and develop individuals for future advancement. Set annual goal targets and financial achievement targets for all sales and catering team members.
8. Actively plans and manages the career development of every employee through effective coaching, training and by instilling company values; is concerned for employees' continuous development and personal growth.
9. Organises and manages the department in accordance with company philosophy and policies, maximizing efficiency and productivity and achieving established goals; promotes harmony between departments.
10. Displays warmth, care and genuine enthusiasm when dealing with guests and internal customers; lives the Golden Rule.
11. Ensures employees adhere to the code of conduct and grooming & hygiene standards as specified in the employee handbook.
12. Conducts daily briefing and monthly departmental meeting (with minutes copied to division head) and participates in meetings when invited.
13. Is seen as a hands-on leader, assists employees in crunch times; Walks the talk.
14. Ensure managers sell and manage his/her key accounts and territories.

Hotel Systems

1. Compile and maintain up to date with Golden Sales & Catering records.
2. Utilise computerised operational systems (C360, PMS, Power BI systems, etc...).
3. Understand, utilise and supervise the installation of automated sales and reservations systems.
4. Set up and implement or follow existing systems to ensure that sales programs achieve projected results.

Requirements

1. Will be based in South Africa, must be willing to travel frequently to Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, in Tanzania. Travel requirements will also include frequent business trips throughout the globe as set out in the annual Sales & Marketing Plan.
2. Five – Ten (5-10) years of previous employment in a related position in branded luxury segment or iconic leading properties.
3. Extensive international luxury hospitality sales and marketing experience at Director Level.
4. Hotel experience and relationships with High End Leisure Travel Industry Partners is required.
5. Outstanding communications and presentation skills.
6. Leads the strategic development and progression of marketing and sales plans and makes adjustments to these plans to ensure the successful achievement of the property's goals.
7. An accredited university/college degree in business or hospitality is preferable.
8. High degree of data analytics literacy.

What to Expect: You Will…

• Be part of a cohesive team with opportunities to build a successful career with global potential.
• Have access to a robust benefit plan.
• Have the opportunity to engage in diverse and challenging work.
• Derive a sense of pride in work well done.
• Be recognized for excellence.

Learn more about what it is like to work at Four Seasons – visit us:

http://jobs.fourseasons.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/four-seasons-hotels-and-resorts

Successful candidate must possess legal rights to work in South Africa.

Please note that due to the large number of responses we receive, only candidates being considered for the above position will be contacted for an interview. Should you not have heard from us within 10 days of application, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.

EE candidates including disabled applicants are welcomed to apply.