Director of Business Leisure Travel in Chicago, Illinois at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago

The ideal candidate is a dynamic sales professional with extensive experience in luxury hospitality, a strong network within both corporate and leisure travel sectors, and a proven track record of exceeding revenue goals. This individual will serve as a brand ambassador, cultivating strategic relationships that enhance the hotel's market position and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

• Develop and execute annual sales plans to drive transient corporate revenue and market share.

• Identify, solicit, negotiate, and manage local, regional, and national corporate accounts.

• Maintain relationships with travel managers, procurement professionals, executive assistants, and corporate travel agencies.

• Analyze market trends, competitive intelligence, and production data to identify opportunities for growth.

• Collaborate with Revenue Management to optimize negotiated corporate rates and account strategies.

• Target key industries including finance, consulting, technology, healthcare, law, and professional services.

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to increase leisure travel revenue and luxury market penetration.

• Manage relationships with luxury travel advisors, preferred partner agencies, tour operators, destination management companies, and consortia partners.

• Drive business through luxury travel networks and high-end leisure channels.

• Identify opportunities within domestic and international luxury travel markets.

• Promote exclusive experiences, packages, and seasonal offerings designed for affluent travelers.

• Achieve and exceed annual room revenue, ADR, and market share goals.

• Develop comprehensive account plans for key business and leisure travel partners.

• Monitor account production and proactively implement strategies to increase share of wallet.

• Conduct regular sales calls, client presentations, site inspections, and networking events.

• Prepare monthly forecasts, pipeline reports, and business reviews for executive leadership.

• Serve as a primary representative of the hotel within the corporate and luxury travel communities.

• Attend industry trade shows, conferences, sales missions, client events, and networking functions.

• Host familiarization trips, travel advisor visits, and key account events.

• Foster strong partnerships with local business organizations, tourism partners, cultural institutions, and major event stakeholders.

• Partner closely with Revenue Management, Marketing, Reservations, Front Office, and Guest Experience teams to ensure seamless execution of business.

• Work collaboratively with the catering and group sales teams to identify cross-selling opportunities.

• Provide market insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and business planning processes.

• Uphold and promote the highest standards of luxury hospitality and guest service.

• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on travel market trends and emerging opportunities.

• Mentor junior sales professionals and contribute to a high-performance sales culture.

• Ensure all sales initiatives align with the hotel's luxury positioning and brand standards.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 7 years of progressive hospitality sales experience, including luxury hotel experience

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field

• Extensive experience partnering with high-end and luxury travel agencies to drive leisure revenue

• Extensive experience with partnering with business/corporate travel managers

• Strong understanding of Opera/OperaCloud and Delphi

• Lanyon, Agency360, Hoteligence, and Demand360 knowledge

• Strong guest relations and client service expertise

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

• Words Per Minute typing at 60

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

• Leadership and team-building abilities

• Always maintain a professional image in appearance/attire and conduct when dealing with travel managers/agents and hotel employees.

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

• Strong computer skills including Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

• Ability to work under pressure and deal with stressful situations during busy periods.

• Interpersonal skills to provide overall guest satisfaction.

• Proven success managing both corporate transient and luxury leisure travel segments.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close high-value agreements.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Strong analytical and financial acumen.

OTHER:

Due to the industry that we are in, a need will occur for each associate to provide “Lateral Service”. Our goal is to ensure that we are maximizing customer satisfaction and as a result there will be times when our associates in the Operations will call upon us for support in order to ensure customer satisfaction occurs. When we are fortunate enough for this to occur, each associate will positively respond unless there is a chance that an opportunity resulting in dissatisfying a guest could occur. If this is the case the leader is to be notified and the level of support that is being requested will be obtained.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Directly reporting to this position (titles): Director of Sales & Marketing.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 7 years of progressive hospitality sales experience, including luxury hotel experience

GROOMING

All associates must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Frequency Key: Never – 0 hours; Rare – up to 1 hour; Occasional – 1-3 hours; Frequent – 3-6 Hours;

Constant – 6-8 hours

Physical ActivityFrequency

Sitting Constant

Walking, climbing stairs Frequent

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: At Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, we offer a range of employment benefits for this Full-Time position, subject to any applicable eligibility, enrollment and/or benefit plan requirements. An overview of the benefits offered can be found on the Hotel's Career Center webpage here: Click Here.

E-VERIFY: Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago participates in the federal E-Verify program, an electronic system that verifies employment authorization in the United States by comparing information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, with government databases. The company uses E-Verify only after an employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. The company does not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or candidates who have not received a job offer from the company.

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.