Sales, Marketing & Reservations Executive

SUMMARY:
Luxury Lodge & Hotel Collection based in Randburg is seeking a passionate Sales, Marketing & Reservations Executive.
 
This is a strategic leadership role responsible for growing accommodation revenue, expanding existing and new markets, retaining and acquiring customers, and identifying future inventory investment opportunities that support commercial growth.
 
The primary mandate of this role is proactive accommodation revenue generation and growth that identifies, pursues and converts current and new business opportunities across domestic and international markets.
 
The role integrates Sales (Domestic and International), Marketing (Traditional and Digital) and Reservations into a single function focused on generating demand, growing market share, acquiring new high-value clients and partners, strengthening direct business, and maximizing accommodation revenue across the Collection.
 
The role also provides leadership for digital demand generation, including lead generation, paid search and performance campaigns, SEO, AEO, CRM-led activity and measurable direct-channel growth, aligned to brand positioning, guest experience and long-term business objectives. 
 
This is a key component of the Collection’s direct revenue strategy and is targeted to ultimately reach 30% of all accommodation revenue.
 
The role further provides the operational teams with feedback about industry and guest experience trends to ensure information gained from being in the market is shared with the guest experience and operational teams keeping the Collection relevant and aligned to changing demands and needs.

Direct Reports:
 
Group Marketing Manager
Reservations Manager
International Sales Managers
National Sales Managers
Sales Support team

POSITION INFO:
Duties:

Sales Leadership:

Represent the Collection at the most senior level in the marketplace.
Lead the national and international sales teams.
Develop annual sales plans and market strategies.
Set revenue, acquisition and performance targets.
Drive commercial accountability through clear KPIs.
Implement and manage the Sales Managers Incentive Scheme 
Oversee trade shows, roadshows, sales missions and familiarization programs.
Build and maintain relationships with key trade stakeholders.
Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.
Ensure effective use of systems and reporting tools.

Marketing Leadership (Digital):

Ensure digital marketing investment drives measurable outcomes.
Oversee acquisition marketing, performance marketing and lead generation strategies.
Drive direct booking growth and channel optimisation.
Lead digital, CRM, PR, communications and content strategies.
Ensure marketing initiatives support commercial and occupancy objectives.
Monitor marketing ROI and optimise investment decisions.
 
Marketing Leadership (Traditional):
 
Ensure marketing investment drives measurable outcomes.
Oversee the inhouse agency to ensure optimal performance of the design team.
Build the Lodge and Hotel brands and ensure compliance to the Corporate Identity.
Generate consistent high quality and impactful PR for the Collection and each Lodge/Hotel.
Strengthen brand positioning within luxury travel and hospitality markets.
 
Reservations Leadership:
 
Ensure excellence in reservations performance and service delivery.
Improve enquiry conversion rates and response times.
Drive operational alignment between Reservations, Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management.
Ensure system integrity and optimisation across all booking platforms.
Monitor booking trends, channel performance and reporting.
Improve processes that support revenue generation.
 
Strategic Partnerships & Industry Representation:
 
Build strategic partnerships that support growth objectives.
Represent the Collection at industry events and forums.
Strengthen commercial visibility in existing and emerging markets.
Identify collaborative opportunities that increase market exposure and revenue.
Represent the Collection from time-to-time in the business unit Board meetings specifically dealing with areas of responsibility.
 
Commercial Growth:
 
Develop and execute the Collection's commercial growth strategy with the CEO & Commercial Executive.
Build a pipeline of new investment opportunities which will link into the current collection of Lodges and Hotels.
Work with the CEO and Commercial Executive to secure the identified opportunities.
 
Requirements:
 
Minimum 10 years’ experience in senior commercial leadership roles.
Proven experience leading sales teams that actively acquire new business.
Demonstrated success in developing and executing growth strategies.
Experience leading multi-functional commercially focused teams.
Strong understanding of luxury hospitality, tourism or travel markets.
Experience managing commercial budgets and revenue targets.
Proven ability to engage at executive and board level.
Experience within luxury hospitality, safari, experiential travel or premium lifestyle brands.
International market development experience.
Experience leading organisational commercial transformation initiatives.