Director of Sales and Government Relations
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Faena is seeking a Director of Sales and Government Relations for Faena Wadi Safar in Riyadh. This dual-mandate role involves driving revenue, building strategic partnerships, and managing government relationships.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive pre opening sales strategy covering all segments: corporate, MICE, government, leisure, travel trade, and diplomatic accounts
- Set and deliver ambitious revenue targets across rooms, F&B, events, and ancillary services
- Build and manage the hotel's rate strategy, account portfolio, and sales pipeline from the ground up
- Lead contract negotiations with key accounts, agencies, and government bodies
- Represent Faena Wadi Safar at industry events, road shows, and trade fairs locally and internationally
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with government ministries, royal court entities, embassies, and quasi government institutions
- Position Faena Wadi Safar as the venue of choice for official state functions, VIP delegations, ministerial meetings, and government hosted events
- Identify and secure government room block agreements, long stay contracts, and event partnerships
- Collaborate with the General Manager to respond to government RFPs and official invitations for proposals
- Stay current on Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives and identify commercial opportunities that align with national priorities
- Serve as the hotel's senior representative in engagements with key government entities including the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, and regional authorities
- Oversee the hotel's regulatory compliance and licensing requirements in partnership with the People & Culture and Finance teams
Requirements
- 8+ years of progressive sales experience in luxury hospitality, with a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth in pre opening or repositioning environments
- Deeply networked within Saudi Arabia's corporate, government, and diplomatic landscape
- Experienced in managing both high volume transient accounts and complex, relationship driven government and institutional business
- A natural leader who builds and inspires high performing teams
- Strategically minded and data driven, with the ability to translate market intelligence and performance data into actionable commercial decisions
- Fluent in Arabic and English, with exceptional communication and presentation skills
- Deeply familiar with Saudi Arabia's government systems, regulatory requirements, and cultural fluency
Full Job Posting
Company Description
- Faena creates cultural epicenters—living stages where art, design, and warm, attentive hospitality convene to craft a feast for the senses. We are a Cultural Embassy that invites guests to seek the extraordinary, shaping worlds that feel profoundly personal, welcoming, and alive.
The Role
- As Director of Sales and Government Relations, you will be the commercial architect and government facing leader of Faena Wadi Safar — driving revenue, building strategic partnerships, and positioning the hotel as the destination of choice for luxury travelers, corporate clients, and government enti
Sales Strategy & Revenue Generation
- Develop and execute a comprehensive pre opening sales strategy covering all segments: corporate, MICE, government, leisure, travel trade, and diplomatic accounts.
- Set and deliver ambitious revenue targets across rooms, F&B, events, and ancillary services.
- Build and manage the hotel's rate strategy, account portfolio, and sales pipeline from the ground up.
- Lead contract negotiations with key accounts, agencies, and government bodies, ensuring commercially sound and mutually beneficial agreements.
- Represent Faena Wadi Safar at industry events, road shows, and trade fairs locally and internationally.
Government & Institutional Sales
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with government ministries, royal court entities, embassies, and quasi government institutions.
- Position Faena Wadi Safar as the venue of choice for official state functions, VIP delegations, ministerial meetings, and government hosted events.
- Identify and secure government room block agreements, long stay contracts, and event partnerships.
- Collaborate with the General Manager to respond to government RFPs and official invitations for proposals.
- Stay current on Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives and identify commercial opportunities that align with national priorities.
Government Relations & Compliance Oversight
- Serve as the hotel's senior representative in engagements with key government entities including the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, and regional authorities.
- Oversee the hotel's regulatory compliance and licensing requirements in partnership with the People & Culture and Finance teams.
- Build and maintain relationships with government contacts to facilitate smooth processing, issue resolution, and proactive communication.
- Monitor the regulatory landscape and brief leadership on changes with operational or commercial implications.
Team Leadership & Commercial Excellence
- Build, lead, and mentor the Sales & Government Relations team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and commercial ambition.
- Develop the department's tools, systems, and processes including CRM management, account planning, and performance tracking.
- Work closely with Revenue Management, Marketing, and Events teams to align commercial activity with pricing strategy and brand positioning.
- Produce regular sales performance reports, forecasts, and market intelligence for the General Manager and ownership.
Who You Are
- A seasoned commercial leader with 8+ years of progressive sales experience in luxury hospitality, with a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth in pre opening or repositioning environments.
- Deeply networked within Saudi Arabia's corporate, government, and diplomatic landscape — with existing relationships that translate directly into commercial opportunity.
- Experienced in managing both high volume transient accounts and complex, relationship driven government and institutional business.
- A natural leader who builds and inspires high performing teams, sets clear expectations, and holds people — including yourself — to ambitious standards.
- Strategically minded and data driven, with the ability to translate market intelligence and performance data into actionable commercial decisions.
- Fluent in Arabic and English, with exceptional communication and presentation skills that are equally at home in a boardroom, a government ministry, or a corporate sales call.
- Deeply familiar with Saudi Arabia's government systems, regulatory requirements, and the cultural fluency to navigate both the public and private sectors with confidence and discretion.
- Aligned with Faena's brand vision — passionate about luxury, design, and delivering extraordinary experiences that go beyond hospitality.
What’s In It For You...
- Lots of opportunity to progress and switch it up as part of a global family of brands.
- Great healthcare, competitive salary, and some nice extra perks across the Ennismore family of brands!
- Learning opportunities to broaden your skillset and development that helps you think, make, and thrive at work
- The opportunity to be yourself and collaborate with other bright minds in a relaxed, innovative culture
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