Sales Manager

Position Overview

The Hotel Sales Manager plays an important role in driving room revenue and occupancy across The Killarney Park and The Ross hotels, with a particular focus on developing business from the domestic and international markets. The role is responsible for identifying, developing and converting new business opportunities across corporate, leisure, meetings and events, group, and other relevant market segments.

Working closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing, Revenue, Reservations and the wider hotel teams, the Hotel Sales Manager will focus on generating new business, strengthening existing client relationships and maximising opportunities to drive occupancy and revenue across both properties.

This is a hands-on, client-facing sales role suited to a motivated hospitality professional with a strong commercial mindset, excellent relationship-building skills and a passion for developing new business. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow their sales experience, develop their own portfolio of accounts and build the skills required to progress their career within luxury hotel sales.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development & Revenue Generation
• Proactively identify, develop and secure new business opportunities across the domestic market.
• Drive room revenue and occupancy across all relevant market segments, including corporate, leisure, group, meetings and events.
• Develop new accounts and grow existing business to generate incremental room nights and revenue for both hotels.
• Actively promote the hotels’ accommodation, meeting rooms, private dining and event facilities to prospective clients.
• Identify opportunities to generate business during need periods, supporting the hotels in maximising occupancy throughout the year.
• Work towards agreed individual sales targets, room night production and revenue objectives.
• Develop a strong understanding of the hotels’ facilities, services, positioning and unique selling points to maximise sales opportunities.
• Corporate, Group & Meetings Business
• Identify and develop relationships with domestic corporate clients, local and regional businesses, professional organisations and relevant industry contacts.
• Proactively target companies and organisations requiring accommodation for business travel, meetings, training, conferences and corporate events.
• Generate enquiries and convert opportunities for meeting rooms, residential meetings, group accommodation and other relevant business.
• Respond to sales enquiries in a timely and professional manner, preparing proposals and following up to maximise conversion.
• Work closely with the Reservations, Revenue and Events teams to ensure enquiries are handled efficiently and opportunities are converted into confirmed business.
• Build relationships with event organisers, meeting planners, travel bookers and other relevant business contacts.
• Maintain regular contact with existing accounts to encourage repeat business, referrals and long-term partnerships.
• Account Management & Client Relationships
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with existing and prospective clients across the domestic market.
• Conduct regular sales calls, client meetings, presentations and property visits to generate new business and strengthen existing relationships.
• Organise and conduct site inspections, showcasing the hotels’ accommodation, meeting facilities and overall guest experience.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, sales activity, opportunities and account development.
• Identify opportunities to increase production from existing accounts and develop relationships with new decision-makers.
• Represent both hotels professionally, ensuring all client interactions reflect the standards and reputation of the properties.
• Sales Activity, Reporting & Performance
• Maintain a proactive programme of sales calls, client appointments, follow-ups and business development activity.
• Monitor individual sales performance against agreed targets, identifying opportunities to improve production and conversion.
• Prepare regular sales activity reports, account updates and pipeline forecasts for the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date account information, sales leads and activity records within the hotel’s sales systems.
• Monitor local market activity and competitor developments to identify potential opportunities for both hotels.
• Work with the Revenue team to understand occupancy patterns, need periods, business mix and opportunities to drive additional room revenue.
• Ensure all sales activities are organised, measurable and focused on generating tangible commercial results.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration
• Work closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to implement agreed sales initiatives and achieve the hotels’ commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with Revenue and Reservations to identify opportunities, manage enquiries and support occupancy growth.
• Liaise with the Events and operational teams to ensure a smooth transition from initial enquiry through to the delivery of confirmed business.
• Maintain a strong understanding of availability, pricing, packages and relevant sales offers to ensure opportunities are presented effectively.
• Share client feedback, market insights and emerging business opportunities with the wider team.
• Contribute positively to departmental meetings, sales initiatives and ongoing efforts to improve commercial performance.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Previous experience in hotel sales, hospitality, account management or a customer-facing commercial role.
• A genuine interest in business development, sales and building long-term client relationships.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities and converting enquiries into business.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple accounts, sales leads and follow-up activities.
• A commercially minded approach, with an understanding of the importance of room revenue, occupancy and business generation.
• Confidence in conducting client meetings, sales presentations and hotel site inspections.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate sales records and reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and confidence using sales or hotel operating systems.
• A professional manner and the ability to represent luxury hotel properties with confidence.

Preferred

• Experience in a hotel sales department, ideally within an upscale or luxury hotel environment.
• Exposure to corporate accommodation, meetings and events, group business or leisure sales.
• Familiarity with hotel reservation and sales systems, such as Opera or a comparable CRM platform.
• A third-level qualification in Hospitality, Business, Sales or a related discipline.
• An existing network of domestic corporate contacts or experience developing business within the Irish market.

Working Conditions

• Based on-property, with regular domestic travel for client meetings, sales calls, appointments and business development activities as required.
• Flexibility to attend occasional client events, networking functions and meetings outside standard working hours.
• A collaborative working environment, with regular interaction across Sales & Marketing, Revenue, Reservations, Events and hotel operations.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, ambitious and motivated to achieve sales targets.
• Confident in building relationships and developing new business opportunities.
• Commercially aware, with a strong focus on driving room revenue and occupancy.
• Professional, personable and comfortable representing a luxury hospitality brand.
• Organised, self-motivated and disciplined in managing sales activity and follow-ups.
• Collaborative in approach, with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Eager to learn, develop and take on increasing responsibility as experience and performance grow.
• Passionate about hospitality, client relationships and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Career Development

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional to strengthen their sales expertise within two established luxury hotel properties. With direct exposure to business development, account management, revenue generation and commercial strategy, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their skills and demonstrate their potential for future progression within the Sales & Marketing function.

Required Criteria

Minimum 2-3 years' experience in luxury hotel sales, with proven success across MICE, Leisure, or Golf segments

Strong understanding of international markets and luxury hospitality trends

Demonstrated success in securing and growing high-value accounts

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop and manage strategic account plans

Experience leading or supervising team members

Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally

High level of professionalism with the ability to represent luxury brands confidently

Strong analytical capabilities and experience working with sales systems and performance metrics

Desired Criteria

Bachelor's degree in hospitality, Business, or a related field

Existing relationships within the luxury travel, MICE, and international sales communities.

Experience with Opera, Salesforce, or similar hotel sales systems.

Previous experience with luxury hotel brands or Leading Hotels of the World.

About The Company

We are an independent, family-owned hotel with a story that started in the 1930s when Marie O'Sullivan, just fourteen years old, began working in her aunt's guesthouse (which she eventually bought and ran herself.)

That spirit of hard work, resourcefulness, and determination still guides everything we do today. Being family-owned means we can make decisions based on what is right—for our guests, our team, our environment, and our community—not just what is profitable.

We believe that true luxury is not about being flashy or formal. It is a much quieter, warmer, kinder thing. It is about creating a place where people feel genuinely welcome and cared for, and that starts with how we treat one another.

Company Culture

What we stand for matters

Working at The Killarney Park means joining a team that values bravery, authenticity, and belonging.

Being Brave

means speaking up with new ideas, taking ownership of your role, and doing things the right way even when it is challenging.

Being Authentic

means bringing your real self to work. We do not want you to follow scripts or put on a fake smile; we want your natural warmth to shine through.

Creating Belonging

means making sure everyone feels welcome and valued - our guests, and your teammates, too.

These are not just nice words. They guide how we show up, how we work, and how we make a difference every day.

Company Benefits

Working at The Killarney Park means being part of a close-knit, five-star team that values warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality. We’re proud to support our people with meaningful benefits, learning and development opportunities, and a positive, respectful workplace culture.

Perks of Being Part of Our Team

Learning & development programmes to grow your skills and career

Team parking

Complimentary meals while on duty

50% off spa treatments and 20% off spa products

Special off-peak accommodation rates for friends and family

50% off meals in the restaurant or bar

10% off orders in Luna Coffee & Wine

Team Charity Day participation

Bike to Work scheme

Monthly team social events and a full yearly social calendar

Monthly reward and recognition scheme

€500 Team Referral Scheme

At The Killarney Park, your career journey matters.

Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Free parking, Cycle to work, Free work laptop, Referral bonus, Competitive salary, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased , Discount on spa treatments or products, Free meals during shifts, Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Work With Charities, Annual Rise, Employee of the Month, Employee Recognition Scheme, Annual performance review, On the job learning, Progression opportunities, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Bereavement leave, Staff celebration events, Company employee App

Salary

Not disclosed