Sales Manager - Leisure

Salary Range: $68,000.00 To $70,000.00 Annually

Position Overview
The Leisure Sales Manager is responsible for generating transient leisure room revenue by developing and maintaining relationships with luxury travel advisors, travel management companies, tour operators, destination management companies, and key leisure travel partners. This position plays a vital role in expanding the hotel’s presence within the luxury travel market while supporting the overall sales strategy of one of Chicago’s premier luxury hospitality destinations.

The ideal candidate is a passionate hospitality professional with exceptional relationship‑building skills, strong market knowledge, and a proven ability to drive revenue through strategic partnerships and proactive sales efforts. The Leisure Sales Manager serves as a brand ambassador, ensuring the hotel’s luxury positioning is effectively represented to domestic and international travel partners.

Responsibilities

30% – Strategic Relationship Development
Build and maintain strong relationships with key travel advisors and leisure partners to influence booking behavior, increase brand awareness, and drive market share growth within the leisure segment.

20% – Luxury & Preferred Agency Engagement
Promote hotel awareness and preferred status across American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, Trump Elite, Signature, Ensemble, and Citi Bank agencies through regional travel, in‑person presentations, and targeted sales calls. Actively represent the hotel through off‑property sales initiatives, client entertainment, trade shows, and industry and community events to generate new business, present proposals, and close leisure accounts.

20% – Program Ownership & Internal Training
Lead the training, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of luxury and preferred agency programs, ensuring internal teams are fully aligned to deliver exceptional guest experiences for the hotel’s highest‑value clientele.

10% – Performance Review & Revenue Optimization
Conduct quarterly business reviews with key accounts to evaluate room night production, revenue performance, and growth opportunities. Collaborate with sister properties to align strategies and achieve predetermined revenue goals. Participate in weekly sales meetings and other operational reviews to support overall sales strategy and forecasting accuracy.

5% – Property Tours & Client Hosting
Conduct personalized property tours for travel advisors and prospective clients, highlighting hotel amenities and services. Host and entertain clients during site inspections, pre‑planning visits, and active programs as appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

Solicit, negotiate, and secure new leisure travel business to achieve and exceed revenue goals.

Develop and maintain relationships with luxury travel advisors, preferred partner agencies, tour operators, wholesalers, and destination management companies.

Identify and pursue new opportunities within domestic and international leisure travel markets. Conduct proactive sales calls, virtual presentations, and in‑person client meetings.

Generate room night production through strategic account development and market penetration.

Manage a portfolio of key leisure travel accounts and maintain regular communication with clients.

Develop account plans and growth strategies for top‑producing travel partners.

Monitor production reports and booking trends to identify opportunities for increased business.

Negotiate preferred partnerships and promotional opportunities when appropriate.

Ensure accurate account information and activity tracking within the hotel’s CRM system.

Build strong relationships with luxury travel advisors and consortia partners.

Coordinate and host site inspections, familiarization trips, and educational visits.

Participate in advisor events, luxury travel showcases, and networking functions.

Promote the hotel’s unique guest experiences, suites, amenities, and luxury offerings to travel partners.

Represent the hotel at industry trade shows, sales missions, and luxury travel events.

Maintain a thorough understanding of Chicago’s luxury hospitality landscape, cultural attractions, dining scene, and major city events.

Actively monitor competitor activity, market conditions, and emerging travel trends.

Promote the hotel as a preferred destination for affluent leisure travelers visiting Chicago.

Achieve assigned room revenue, ADR, and account production goals.

Collaborate with Revenue Management to optimize pricing strategies and promotional offers.

Assist with forecasting, budgeting, and monthly sales reporting.

Track and analyze account performance to ensure business objectives are achieved.

Work closely with Reservations, Front Office, Guest Experience, Revenue Management, and Marketing teams to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Support special promotions, seasonal campaigns, and package development initiatives.

Communicate client preferences and expectations to operational teams to enhance guest satisfaction.

Assist in creating memorable experiences for VIP and repeat guests.

Qualifications

Extensive experience partnering with high‑end and luxury travel agencies to drive leisure revenue.

Strong understanding of Opera (OperaCloud) and Delphi.

Familiarity with Hoteligence and Agency360.

Strong guest relations and client service expertise.

Strong analytical skills, with experience in data‑driven decision‑making and KPI tracking.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in content creation and storytelling.

Words per minute typing at 60.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.

Leadership and team‑building abilities.

Return all phone calls on the same day and demonstrate timeliness in providing proposals to clients.

Maintain a professional image in appearance and conduct when dealing with agents and hotel employees.

Basic mathematical skills to complete reports and working knowledge of financial statements and forecasting techniques.

Ability to work under pressure and handle stressful situations during busy periods.

Interpersonal skills to provide overall guest satisfaction.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of previous experience in a hotel sales office, preferably in a 4–5 star hotel.

Physical Requirements

Crouching/Bending/Stooping – Occasional

Reaching – Occasional

Pushing/Pulling – Occasional

Near Vision – Frequent

Far Vision – Occasional

Hearing – Constant

Talking – Constant

Lifting/Carrying (15 lbs.) – Occasional

Travel – Rare

Benefits
The hotel offers a range of employment benefits for this full‑time position, subject to eligibility and enrollment requirements. An overview of benefits is available on the hotel’s Career Center webpage.

E‑Verify
Our company participates in the federal E‑Verify program, which is used only after an employee has accepted a job offer and completed Form I‑9.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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