Assistant Director Of Sales

Overview

The Assistant Director of Sales holds a crucial leadership role, focused on boosting revenue across the MICE, Leisure, Corporate, and Golf segments for both The Killarney Park and The Ross hotels. This involves the strategic development, acquisition, and retention of key business in both domestic and international markets. This role serves as a senior commercial leader within the department, assisting the Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) in executing the overall sales strategy, managing daily sales operations, and ensuring exceptional client relationship management. The Assistant Director of Sales is expected to take over departmental leadership when the DOSM is absent. The ideal candidate should be an experienced luxury hospitality sales professional who possesses strong commercial insight, international market exposure, and the ability to cultivate high-performing teams, all while representing the properties with professionalism and poise.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Strategy & Segment Development

• Develop, prepare, and execute tactical and long-term sales plans for the MICE, Leisure, Golf, and Corporate segments, ensuring alignment with the wider hotel strategy.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities across domestic and key international markets.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of luxury market positioning, tailoring strategies to attract high-value clients and travel partners.
• Collaborate with international sales partners, including Leading Hotels of the World teams, to target the most suitable global markets.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging client expectations to optimise performance.
• Achieve and exceed revenue, market share, and segment targets.

2. Client Relationship Management

• Build and nurture strong, long-term relationships with key accounts, travel partners, event planners, DMCs, golf operators, corporates, and other industry stakeholders.
• Conduct regular client meetings, presentations, and negotiations to secure repeat and new business.
• Host and coordinate engaging site inspections and FAM trips, showcasing the hotels' luxury offering and unique selling points.
• Maintain a high level of product knowledge and represent the hotels in line with their luxury brand standards.

3. Market Presence & Representation

• Represent the hotels at major domestic and international trade shows, roadshows, networking events, and sales missions.
• Act as a brand ambassador, ensuring consistent positioning and elevating brand awareness globally.

4. Operational Excellence & Data Management

• Prepare accurate sales forecasts, reports, financial analyses, and market insights for senior leadership.
• Use sales systems, market intelligence, and guest feedback to inform strategy and identify areas for improvement.
• Understand operational and administrative processes, generating innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Work collaboratively with Revenue, Marketing, Reservations, and operational teams to align strategies and maximise performance.

5. Team Leadership & Department Support

• Support the DOSM in leading, mentoring, and motivating the Sales & Marketing team to achieve departmental and individual performance goals.
• Act as departmental lead during the DOSM's absence, ensuring continuity of operations and decision-making.
• Provide constructive guidance and feedback to support the professional development of team members.
• Review and adapt team structure and processes to meet evolving business needs.

Personal Attributes

• Highly polished, confident, and able to represent a luxury brand with professionalism.
• Strategic, results-oriented, and commercially focused thinker.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a collaborative and relationship-driven approach.
• Motivational leadership style that inspires high performance.
• Creative problem-solver with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Passionate about luxury hospitality and delivering exceptional guest and client experiences.

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.

Skills Needed

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

• Staff 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

• Staff Charity Day participation

• Bike to Work scheme

• Monthly staff social events and a full yearly social calendar

• Monthly reward and recognition scheme

• €500 Employee Referral Scheme

At The Killarney Park, your career journey matters.

Vacation, Paid time off, Paid sick days, Retirement plan and/or pension, Flexible schedule, Office perks, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Free parking, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Competitive salary, Discount on spa treatments or products, Discount in gift shop, Free meals during shifts, Wellbeing Scheme, Work With Charities, Social Opportunities, Employee of the Month, Annual performance review, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Progression opportunities, Bereavement leave, Long service awards, Staff celebration events, Company employee App

Salary

Not disclosed