Director of Business Travel

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and execute the business travel sales strategy for AKA Boston hotels, aligned with portfolio revenue goals and market priorities. 

• Lead account acquisition, development, and retention across corporate transient, negotiated rate, extended-stay, relocation, project, and crew business. 

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with corporate travel buyers, travel management companies, consortia, relocation firms, and local business partners. 

• Create and manage a strategic sales plan, including target account lists, call plans, market activity, and measurable production goals. 

• Prospect consistently through sales calls, site visits, networking, referrals, market research, and industry events. 

• Negotiate corporate agreements and preferred rate programs in partnership with revenue management and property leadership. 

• Own and achieve annual room-night, revenue, and account-production targets for assigned hotels and market segments. 

• Maintain an accurate pipeline, account plans, activity records, and forecasts; provide regular reporting on production, pace, opportunities, and risks. 

• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, account performance, and booking behavior to identify opportunities and adjust sales strategy. 

• Collaborate with revenue management to establish pricing, need periods, account value, and displacement considerations. 

• Partner with hotel teams to ensure negotiated account details, client preferences, and service commitments are communicated and delivered. 

• Represent AKA at client appointments, trade shows, association meetings, networking events, and hosted functions. 

• Plan and conduct compelling presentations, property tours, quarterly business reviews, and client entertainment. 

• Mentor and support sales team members, share market intelligence, and promote accountability, collaboration, and service excellence. 

• Travel locally and periodically outside the market for client meetings, sales events, and business development. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 

• Minimum five years of progressive hotel sales experience, including demonstrated success in corporate transient or business travel sales. 

• Strong knowledge of the Boston business travel market, including major demand generators, travel management companies, and corporate buying processes. 

• Proven ability to prospect, negotiate, close, and grow high-value accounts while managing multiple properties or complex stakeholder relationships. 

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, analytical, and relationship-management skills. 

• Proficiency with hotel sales, customer relationship management, reporting, and Microsoft Office systems. 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as business needs require.