Sales Manager - Military Liaison

Job Title

Military Liaison

Company

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Location

The Military Liaison will act as a link between our organization and the military services. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of military culture, protocols, and etiquette. They must have excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain professional relationships with various stakeholders. A veteran or previous military experience or extensive knowledge of military services in the Hawaii area.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating communication between the military and civilian organizations, government bodies, or businesses
• Providing informed advice and guidance on military matters
• Possess a strong understanding of military culture, protocols, and etiquette.
• Keep up-to-date with current military affairs and trends
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the relationship between the organization and the military
• Attend daily Highgate Hotel Business Review (HHBR) meeting.
• Develop a full working knowledge of the operations of the hotel, including, Guest Services and Reservations.
• Develop a complete knowledge of company sales policies and SOP's, and ensure knowledge of and adherence to those policies by the sales team.
• Meet or exceed set goals.
• Make or exceed assigned monthly/quarterly and annual revenue goals
• Operate the Sales Department within established sales expense budget.
• Participate in required M.O.D. and Saturday office coverage as scheduled.
• Initiate and follow up on leads.
• Maintain and participate in an active sales solicitation program.
• Monitor production of all top accounts and evaluate trends within your market.
• Regularly contact existing accounts based on the tracing frequencies of the Account Coverage Program.
• Meet or exceed sales solicitation call goals as assigned by the Director of Sales.
• Invite clients to the hotel for tours and site inspections.
• Assist in the preparation of required reports in a timely manner.
• Be familiar with all Highgate Hotel sales policies and selling techniques with an emphasis on maximizing occupancy and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
• Conduct a professional, thorough site inspection of the hotel with clients, exhibiting key features and benefits of the property.
• Use your property's computerized sales management system to manage the hotel's business, including (but not limited to) generating reports, entering business, blocking space and building accounts.
• Meet and greet onsite contacts.
• Abide by Prime Selling Time (PST).
• Develop networking opportunities through active participation in community and professional associations, activities and events.
• Review meeting planner evaluations with the Director of Sales to ensure that issues receive follow-up.
• Entertain clients.
• Handle inquiries as part of Inquiry Day Program.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required and/or experience in a hotel or a related field required.
• At least 2 or more years of progressive experience in a hotel and/or hotel sales experience preferred.
• College course work in related field helpful.
• Computer knowledge/skills required
• Previous military experience or extensive knowledge of military services in the Hawaii area.

Physical requirements:

• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

General Requirements

• Delphi experience preferred
• Must be skilled in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• A keen understanding of diplomacy and tactfulness to maintain professional relations and represent the interests of the military and civilian sectors.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.