Senior Director of Group Sales

Director of Group Sales

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Chicago, IL | Full-Time | Salaried

Salary Range: $100,000–$125,000 Annually

Position Overview

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Group Sales to lead the hotel's group sales efforts and drive revenue across corporate, association, incentive, and luxury leisure markets.

This leadership role is responsible for developing and executing the property's group sales strategy, managing key client relationships, mentoring the sales team, and maximizing group revenue while maintaining the hotel's position as one of Chicago's premier luxury destinations. The ideal candidate is an experienced hospitality sales leader with a proven track record in luxury hotel group sales, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a passion for delivering outstanding client experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the hotel's group sales strategy to achieve revenue goals and market share growth.

• Organize and oversee all group sales activities, including prospecting, lead qualification, telemarketing, proposal development, contract negotiations, and presentations.

• Lead and mentor the group sales team by providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.

• Travel to key markets to promote the hotel to corporate, association, and incentive clients through presentations, networking, and personal sales calls.

• Develop relationships with national sales offices, corporate accounts, associations, CVBs, tourism organizations, and meeting planners.

• Solicit, cultivate, negotiate, and close new group business opportunities.

• Assist with forecasting, budgeting, room rate development, and sales reporting.

• Develop target account strategies and action plans to increase market share.

• Meet with clients on property and conduct site inspections to showcase the hotel's luxury offerings.

• Represent the hotel at major industry trade shows, conferences, and networking events.

• Maintain accurate sales files, account information, contracts, and administrative records.

• Lead the property's proactive and reactive group sales efforts while ensuring seamless communication between Sales and Operations.

• Partner with the Director of Sales & Marketing to develop and implement strategic sales initiatives.

• Maximize group revenue through strategic upselling opportunities and accurate forecasting of guestrooms, banquet revenue, and ancillary business.

• Monitor client satisfaction before, during, and after events while ensuring exceptional service delivery.

• Collaborate closely with Catering, Revenue Management, Banquets, Culinary, and Operations teams to ensure flawless execution of group programs.

• Develop and manage annual group sales budgets, forecasts, and performance reports.

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop group sales associates while fostering a high-performing sales culture.

• Identify new market opportunities and implement innovative sales strategies to drive long-term business growth.

• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.

Experience

• Minimum of seven years of progressive group sales experience, preferably within a luxury four- or five-star hotel environment.

• Demonstrated success managing high-value corporate, association, incentive, and luxury leisure accounts.

• Proven leadership experience managing and developing sales teams.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of luxury hotel group sales, revenue management, and sales strategy.

• Excellent analytical skills with experience using KPIs, forecasting, and data-driven decision making.

• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills.

• Strong relationship-building skills with meeting planners, corporate clients, tourism organizations, and industry partners.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.

• Commitment to responsive client communication, including same-day follow-up and timely proposal delivery.

• Working knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, and forecasting techniques.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Typing speed of approximately 60 words per minute.

• Ability to remain composed under pressure while maintaining exceptional customer service.

• Professional appearance and demeanor when representing the hotel.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a guest-first mindset.

Additional Information

At Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, teamwork extends beyond departmental responsibilities. Associates are expected to provide lateral service whenever needed to support hotel operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Flexibility, collaboration, and a guest-first mindset are essential to success in this role.

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Director of Sales & Marketing.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, frequently walk throughout the hotel, occasionally climb stairs, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift up to 15 pounds. Strong verbal communication and presentation skills are essential. Occasional travel is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Grooming Standards

All associates are expected to maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance in accordance with hotel grooming standards.

Benefits

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible full-time associates, subject to applicable eligibility and enrollment requirements. Additional information regarding available benefits can be found on the hotel's Career Center.

E-Verify

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago participates in the federal E-Verify program. Employment eligibility is verified only after a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. E-Verify is not used to pre-screen applicants.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.