Director of Sales and Marketing

Job Summary

The Director of Sales is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of all Sales and Marketing functions for the Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame, a 293-room, full-service hotel featuring a stunning glass atrium and significant meeting and event space. This role directs all sales, marketing, revenue strategy, and public relations efforts to maximize hotel profitability, market share, and brand presence in alignment with Hilton brand standards and ownership objectives.

• College degree required or equivalent hospitality experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience as a Director of Sales and/or Marketing
• Experience in a large group, convention, or university-driven market strongly preferred
• Prior Hilton or branded full-service hotel experience preferred

• Ability to work long and flexible hours based on business needs
• Light physical work including lifting up to 20 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven leadership and strategic planning skills, including short- and long-term sales strategy, five-year planning, forecasting, budgeting, P&L analysis, and contract negotiation
• Strong understanding of all major market segments including group, meetings, corporate, SMERF, incentive, tour & travel, and FIT
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills to develop, implement, and evaluate sales action plans and allocate resources effectively
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and professional presentations
• Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities to recruit, develop, motivate, and retain a high-performing sales team
• Strategic mindset focused on both immediate revenue performance and long-term asset value
• Proficiency in Delphi, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Ability to enforce Hilton standards, policies, and procedures consistently
• Ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of hotel and employee information
• Prior operational exposure in Front Office and/or Food & Beverage preferred

• Develop and execute the Annual Revenue Plan in collaboration with the General Manager and Executive Committee
• Prepare and manage Sales & Marketing budgets, forecasts, and monthly revenue reports
• Implement and monitor sales action plans to ensure revenue and market share goals are achieved
• Analyze market trends and demand drivers related to Notre Dame University, regional events, corporate demand, and social markets
• Actively solicit new and repeat business through direct sales calls, site visits, client entertainment, telephone, and written communication
• Maintain strong relationships with corporate accounts, meeting planners, university partners, incentive buyers, travel agencies, and destination organizations
• Create and implement targeted sales strategies to:
  • Increase Average Daily Rate (ADR)
  • Improve occupancy during shoulder and need periods
  • Maximize group and convention revenue
  • Increase catering and banquet sales within the hotel’s atrium and event spaces
• Position the hotel as a premier venue for conferences, social events, and university-related functions
• Represent the Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame as an active leader within the local and regional community
• Collaborate with Hilton Worldwide Regional Sales and National Accounts teams
• Plan and execute sales missions to key feeder markets
• Attend and represent the hotel at major industry trade shows and conventions
• Lead, coach, and hold Sales Managers accountable to individual and team revenue goals
• Identify departmental training needs and ensure training is delivered in accordance with Hilton Worldwide Training Standards
• Conduct interviewing, onboarding, performance evaluations, coaching, counseling, and disciplinary actions as necessary
• Meet with key clients and event organizers to ensure guest satisfaction and repeat business
• Maintain accurate sales records, databases, and mailing lists
• Organize and attend hotel-hosted…