Senior Sales Manager - Leisure | Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Overview

What Will I Be Doing

• The Senior Sales Manager – Leisure role requires a strategic and leadership-driven approach to sales, market analysis, and competitor activity to recommend initiatives that ensure the hotel remains a leader in the luxury leisure marketplace.
• The role focuses on driving future and repeat business, optimizing account performance, and elevating customer engagement to position the hotel as a preferred destination for premium leisure travel.
• Specifically, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:
• Lead the development and execution of leisure sales strategies to drive sustained revenue growth and market leadership.
• Proactively source and secure high-value leisure business through travel agencies, tour operators, wholesalers, luxury consortia, and premium online travel platforms.
• Develop, manage, and grow long-term strategic relationships with key leisure partners to maximize repeat and referral business.
• Conduct senior-level sales calls, virtual and in-person meetings, site inspections, and hotel presentations tailored to luxury leisure partners.
• Represent the hotel at international and regional trade shows, roadshows, luxury travel fairs, and networking events as a senior brand ambassador.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing and PR teams to design targeted promotions, bespoke packages, and seasonal campaigns for high-end leisure travelers.
• Prepare, negotiate, and finalize rate proposals and contracts while ensuring profitability and alignment with revenue management strategies.
• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and travel behaviors to refine leisure sales initiatives and identify new growth opportunities.
• Work in close partnership with Revenue Management to optimize rate structures, channel mix, and availability for leisure segments.
• Deliver personalized service and proactive communication to leisure partners and VIP guests to exceed expectations and enhance brand loyalty.
• Coordinate with Front Office, Reservations, and Operations teams to ensure seamless guest experiences from pre-arrival through post-departure.
• Meet and exceed personal and departmental sales targets through disciplined pipeline management and strategic account development.
• Maintain accurate, timely sales reports, account plans, and forecasts to support data-driven decision-making and leadership review.

What Are We Looking For

• A Senior Sales Manager - Leisure serving Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members.
• To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviors, skills, and values that follow:
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in leisure sales within a 5-star or luxury hotel, resort, or destination management company, with demonstrated senior-level responsibility.
• Proven track record of consistently achieving and exceeding leisure sales targets, including the development and management of high-value accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Extensive experience building, leading, and nurturing long-term relationships with premium travel agents, luxury tour operators, wholesalers, and global travel consortia.
• In-depth knowledge of the international and regional luxury leisure travel market, including market dynamics, consumer behavior, and emerging trends.
• Strong familiarity and established relationships with luxury travel networks such as Virtuoso, Traveller Made, Signature Travel Network, and similar.
• Advanced commercial acumen and strategic thinking, with the ability to identify growth opportunities, analyze competitor activity, and develop sophisticated sales strategies tailored to the luxury leisure segment.
• Exceptional relationship management, negotiation, and client engagement skills, with a deep understanding of the expectations of high-net-worth and luxury leisure travelers.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, both written and verbal, enabling confident and polished representation of the hotel brand at a senior level.
• Highly organized, with strong planning and execution skills, capable of managing multiple key leisure accounts, markets, and partner initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments, particularly with Revenue Management, Marketing, Reservations, and Front Office teams, to ensure commercial alignment and seamless guest journeys.
• Proficiency in CRM platforms, sales analytics, forecasting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite, with a data-driven approach to performance management.
• A strong eye for detail and a consistent commitment to delivering excellence in all commercial activities and client interactions.
• Resilient, adaptable, and results-driven, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, target-oriented luxury hospitality environment.
• Formal education or professional training in Sales, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• What will it be like to work for Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
• Waldorf Astoria provides guests the exceptional environment and the personalized attention of True Waldorf Service that creates a singular experience.
• If you understand the value of personalized attention and know how to treat even the most extraordinarily different experiences with the same rich level of customer service, you may just be the person we are looking for!

Potential Benefits

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