Senior Sales Manager (Pre-Opening)
Opatija Marriott Resort & SpaJOB SUMMARY
Responsible for driving total resort revenue through proactive and reactive sales and strategic account management across all market segments, including MICE, Corporate, Leisure, Government and Sports.
This role is accountable for generating new business, managing and growing assigned accounts, converting inbound leads, and maximizing revenue opportunities across rooms, meetings & events, and resort outlets. The Senior Sales Manager works collaboratively with on‑property teams, Marriott Global Sales Offices, and regional sales resources to position the resort as a leading premium destination on the Adriatic by developing strong client relationships, generating new business opportunities, and optimizing existing accounts to achieve and exceed revenue goals in line with brand and property objectives.
This role ensures seamless client experience, strong market presence, and sustained demand across all seasons. The position requires a strategic, results‑driven, and relationship‑focused sales professional with a deep understanding of multi‑segment hospitality sales.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED; 2 years experience in the sales and marketing, guest services, front desk, or related professional area.
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- 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; no work experience required.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Understanding Market Opportunities & Driving Revenue
- Execute proactive and reactive sales strategies to achieve revenue goals across all assigned segments.
- . Identify, solicit, and secure new business opportunities through direct sales calls, networking, sales trips, tradeshows, B2B Events, site inspections, and digital channels.
- Develop and implement account plans that align with property and brand strategies.
- Support destination positioning and seasonality management to optimize demand throughout the year.
- Manage a defined portfolio of key accounts and prospects, ensuring long‑term relationship development and account growth.
- Maintain accurate account information, pipeline updates, and activity tracking in Marriott‑approved systems (e.g. CI/TY, Salesforce).
- Lead contract negotiations in accordance with Marriott pricing, contracting, and revenue management guidelines.
- Foster client loyalty through consistent engagement, personalized service, and post‑event follow‑up
- Actively promote the resort’s meetings, events, and group offering for domestic and international markets.
- Convert group and event inquiries through effective needs analysis, proposal preparation, negotiation, and closing.
- Partner closely with Events Management, Revenue Management, and Operations to ensure a seamless handover and delivery of group business
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Understands the overall market - competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with Marriott Global Sales, Area Sales, and on-property Sales & Distribution team to maximize account penetration and lead flow.
- Participate in sales meetings, forecasting, and strategy sessions to support departmental objectives.
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Work cross‑functionally with Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Revenue Management to ensure alignment and service excellence.
Reporting, Forecasting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate sales records, production tracking, and revenue forecasts.
- Prepare regular sales activity, pipeline, and account performance reports.
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Ensure compliance with Marriott policies, brand standards, ethical guidelines, and data integrity requirements.
Providing Exceptional Customer Service
- Handles complex business with significant revenue potential as well as significant customer expectations.
- Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.
- Develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities across segments.
- Supports brand’s Service and Relationship Strategy, driving customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience.
- Provides excellent customer service in order to grow share of the account.
- Executes brand’s Customer Service Standards and property’s Brand Standards.
- Participates in and practices daily service basics of the brand.
- Executes exemplary customer service to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by assisting the customer and ensuring their satisfaction before and during their program/event.
- Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to the property and brand.
- Gains understanding of the property’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution both prior to, and during the program/event.
Additional Responsibilities
- Utilizes intranet for resources and information.
- Conducts site inspections.
- Creates contracts as required.
- Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).
MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
| Leadership |
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| Managing Execution |
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| Building Relationships |
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| Generating Talent and Organizational Capability |
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| Learning and Applying Professional Expertise |
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At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.
Marriott Hotels strive to elevate the art of hospitality, innovating at every opportunity while keeping the comfort of the oh-so-familiar all around the globe. As a host with Marriott Hotels, you will help keep the promise of “Wonderful Hospitality. Always.” by delivering thoughtful, heartfelt, forward-thinking service that upholds and builds upon this living legacy. With the name that’s synonymous with hospitality the world over, we are proud to welcome you to explore a career with Marriott Hotels. In joining Marriott Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.