New Hotel Openings Commercial Lead, SEAK

Role Purpose

This role is responsible for the supporting the Directors of Commercial in region to manage the commercial activity for new hotel openings and hotel conversions / integration, coordinating activities of all functions of sales, marketing, PR, Channels, distribution and relationship management – working closely with Lifecycle & Growth teams.

Key Accountabilities

• Effectively utilized in the NHOP process.
• Works closely with the Lifecycle and Growth global and regional teams to ensure any applicable processes, tools and procedures can be consistently applied in all openings and conversions.
• Drive the Hotel Openings commercial agenda by working with the on-property Director of Sales and Marketing, Director Commercial/Area Director of Sales and Marketing to develop and implement the pre-opening Sales and Marketing Plan and platforms for new hotel openings in the region supported by and, in conjunction with, the Director of Sales, Director of Revenue Management and Director of Marketing Management and Distribution and Relationship Marketing Teams across the region. Co-ordinate the communication and sales, marketing, PR, distribution marketing and revenue management activity for new opening hotels with the Director, Commercial/Area Director of Sales and Marketing and between hotel and above property functions.
• Monitor pick up and ramp up of the hotel in the first 3 months of opening and provide inputs in strategy meetings to maximize business and provide direction to Directors of Sales and Marketing in the development of effective sales and marketing strategies and activities to ensure rate and occupancy objectives are achieved.
• Support the Directors of Commercial and the Area Directors of Sales & Marketing to roll out and embed any new commercial tools or processes in the business.
• Measure and monitor the adoption and utilization of commercial tools and SOP, from IHG way of Sales and facilitate the sharing of Best Practices from global and regional teams

Key Skills & Experiences

Educational Attainment

Degree or equivalent international degree in Marketing or Business desired

Educational Attainment

• Degree or equivalent international degree in Marketing or Business desired
• Is able to demonstrate external industry knowledge and continuous learning, keeping up to date with current trends

Critical Expertise & Experience

• International hotel brand strategic sales and marketing experience
• Experience in Hotel Sales and Marketing in a senior management role
• Clear project management capability
• Has experience participating in an industry task force

Required Skills

• Establishes goals and objectives and sets performance targets
• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple tasks
• Partnership driven, able to collaborate and rally multiple stakeholders to deliver to deadlines and activity.
• Can meet deadlines
• Good working knowledge of IHG systems and the ability to understand and drive outcomes within the IHG network
• Has a deep understanding of the markets and the context of operating in a diverse region
• A strong leader, who can understand the vision and how to translate this into reality and execution
• Is able to creatively solve problems in order to deliver effectively
• Builds strong and credible relationships. Is patient, yet persistent
• Culturally aware