Account Director, Western Region - Corporate Events & Incentives, North America
Belmond is a collection of more than 50 iconic hotels, trains, safaris and river cruises worldwide. Culture,community and cuisine take centre stage in curated adventures, from the Mediterranean to MachuPicchu.
Inspiring retreats are set on Caribbean beaches, by the edge of Iguassu Falls and overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Awe-inspiring train journeys include the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Expressand Andean Explorer.
Luxurious river cruises allow guests to glide through the heart of France, whileextraordinary safaris show Africa at its most majestic.
Belmond celebrates the art of travel, withexperiences ranging from gliding through Thailand's emerald jungles to riding on horseback throughthe Okavango Delta.
With our vast offerings, the opportunities to craft a unique career here are endless.Join us and achieve the truly exceptional.
The Account Director, Western Region - Corporate Events & Incentives, North America , is responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing the Groups revenue generated by the owned Accounts within the assigned territory.
The primary responsibility of this role is to manage, nurture and further develop group business for the entire Belmond portfolio from owned accounts including Corporations, Incentive Houses, Meeting Planners, Venue Searching companies, Associations and all 3rd party intermediaries specialized in planning and booking corporate meetings, events, and incentive programs.
The role is responsible for implementation of strategic account management for all owned accounts and increasing the number of new active accounts through business development activities.
The role is accountable for meeting established revenue targets for every Belmond property, or regional
groups of properties, as defined in the personal KPIs.
The assigned geographic territories, market and industry segments, owned Accounts and main base location for the role might be subject to change with a 4-week notice, subject to the Company's needs and / or variable market conditions.
Primary Responsibilities include :
- Develop a detailed quarterly sales action plan and annual account management plan aimed at achieving and exceeding revenue generation goals in Groups sales for each Account, submit to the direct manager for approval.
- Maintain a frequent personal contact with all property-based sales personnel to ensure product knowledge is always up to date and complete alignment of sales strategies.
- Establish a close collaboration with all property sales, revenue management and reservations teams and lead all closing efforts from generated Groups leads.
- Qualify all Groups leads generated by owned Accounts and conduct necessary follow through to secure new bookings that fit with the parameters of "desirable" business.
- Assisted by the Travel Trade Support teams, prepare quotes and detailed offers for all groups leads generated by Owned accounts.
- Manage negotiations for groups leads on behalf of the Properties, and be the Customers "single point of contact" through final conversion of leads into confirmed status.
- Ensure timely, accurate and personalized responses to all customers enquiries.
- Work very closely with Properties' sales and revenue management teams to drive desirable groups business into the Belmond portfolio.
- Analyse and evaluate accounts Groups productivity (past, current and future) to ensure individual Customer targets are met.
- Show initiative and resourcefulness in developing methods for increasing market share from the owned set of Accounts, ensuring a high level of Customer satisfaction
- Apply effective problem-solving methodologies to resolve issues and challenges.
- Establish and nurture a partnership relationship with all key contacts, decision makers, bookers and influencers within every owned Account.
- Conduct product training to Customers on a regular basis to ensure Belmond remains front-of-mind at all times.
- Host customer events with select key accounts throughout the year.
- Communicate all seasonal promotions for the global Belmond portfolio to support all properties achieving their budgeted revenue, especially in shoulder seasons.
- Make full use of all selling, negotiating and closing tools to increase conversion ratio from the assigned territory and account platform.
- Assist Divisional Director of Sales with the organization of annual sales series, strategic partners' sales events, and Belmond presence to relevant trade shows.
- Plan regular Customers educational trips to key Belmond destinations as defined in the quarterly / annual sales action plan, and escort these trips if necessary.
- Attend relevant industry functions and meetings to ensure the Company's brand is properly represented.
- Establish and maintain relationships with industry colleagues including tourism boards, airlines, DMCs, etc.
- Provide feedback and information about latest market conditions and newest trends to the direct manager.
- Executie an ongoing prospecting plan, adding new active customers to the portfolio of managed Accounts.
- Maintain a clean database of all owned accounts and contacts within, with all sales activities promptly logged into OSC.
- Manage expenses through tight control, maintain annual costs within allocated resources.
- Prepare all production, account management and other sales reports as requested by the direct manager.
- Maintain a proactive role in social media and support the Corporate Marketing communications plan.
- Attend and actively contribute to regular sales meetings organized by the Divisional Director of Sales, or by the London Corporate team, or by the direct manager.
The Belmond & LVMH Family
The Belmond Commercial Organization is proud to be part of LVMH, and the Belmond global collection of iconic hotels, trains and river cruises, all creating exceptional experiences worldwide.
When you join one of our properties, you join a global family of history-rich hotels and breathtaking destinations, where our employees are at the heart of the Belmond experience.
Requirements
What you'll bring :
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a business or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in luxury travel sales with a successful track record.
- Established industry contacts in Western US to include Wedding Planners, Photographers, and other vendors within the specialty Weddings and Celebration Market.
- Experience in developing a sales action plan aimed at establishing positive, ongoing relationships with clients that will lead to long-term and increased business for Belmond properties.
- Able to develop, maintain and grow a set of key Wedding Planner and Leisure / Tour Operator Accounts in the luxury travel sector.
- Experience in the Sales and Events side of Group business, on property and / or off.
- Exceptional customer service skills.
- Ability to prospect and identify new customers and develop an appropriate business development plan.
- Computer literacy with a strong emphasis on Microsoft office applications including WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Confident public speaker with an ability to professionally present and promote the brand and the organization.
Position will require residence in the Western Region of the United States. Preference will be given to those candidates residing in Denver, Phoenix, Washington or California.
This is your moment. Apply today!
Benefits
What We Offer
At the Belmond Commercial Organization, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture built on kindness, active listening, and genuine connections with our colleagues and guests.
We offer a comprehensive range of compensation, perks and benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Employees are eligible for the majority of these plans after 60 days of full-time employment. The Company also offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid vacation and holidays as well as complimentary and preferred rate experiences at our iconic destinations.