Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra (260 Rooms) – Ghana. Managing a team of 10 people

• Providing a professional, advisory and executive support to the General Manager in meeting the strategic goals
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the hotel’s Sales & Marketing Plans
• To set individual sales targets by segments and by sales managers and executives, track and review productivity on a monthly and quarterly basis
• Maintain a perpetual analysis of Key accounts in the market
• Developing strong, secure and productive business relations with all companies within the portfolio
• Researching and explore new markets and potential accounts for sales team to follow up
• Obtaining and maintain awareness of the community, business, political and social factors which may affect the hotel’s financial objectives
• Planing sales trips to cover all established markets, representing the hotel at trade fairs, functions and other related events
• Recruitment, orientation, training and performance appraisals of the sales & marketing team

NOOM HOTEL Conakry (187 Rooms) – Pre-opening and Opening hotel phase. Managing a team of 6 people
. Responsible for leading and directing the development and implementation of strategic Sales and Marketing plans during the pre-opening and opening phase of NOOM Hotel.
. Responsible for formulating an Annual Marketing Plan according to corporate guidelines, as well as achieving the hotel rooms yield, average rate, occupancy targets and catering revenues as laid out in the Marketing Plan
. Partner with the Managing Director to determinate sales pricing strategies, developing rates and determining space utilization policy. Achieve annual hotel revenue goals as agreed in the annual budget
. Interacting with clients and the media, securing business, preparing and presenting statistical and performance reports
. Monitoring the Launching and Opening campaign of the hotel: brochures, in-flight magazines, radio, TV, social media, photo shooting, airport billboards.
. Competitor analysis in order to study the strengths and weaknesses of current and potential competitors in order to identify opportunities and threats (SWOT)
. Sales calls and prospection of the main local companies and other African countries, maintaining close relationships with all key local decision-makers and setting up corporate contracts with TOP accounts
. Development of all Sales & Marketing and Reservations SOPs and corporate contracts
. Recruiting, interviewing, training and developing the Sales team member’s performance to include providing supervision and professional development, scheduling, conducting counselling and performance appraisals and delivering recognition and reward
. Plan and attend any trade fairs as a representative of Mangalis Hotel Group / NOOM Hotels, ensuring that the quality image of the organization is portrayed, and that every opportunity is taken to promote the property
. Acting as a point of contact with the Guinean authorities to facilitate the hotel operations

*My excellent networking skills and my ability to develop client relationships resulted in an 30% increase of the French and Benelux market for the group.

• Assisting the Director of Sales with the development and implementation of sales and marketing strategies for the hotel, including securing new accounts and maintaining existing accounts, to maximize the profitability of the hotel and maintain customer satisfaction
• Maintaining and developing relationships with existing and new clients in person and via telephone, calls and emails
• Arranging meetings with potential clients to prospect for new business
• Acting as a contact between the company and its existing and potential markets
• Representing the company at trade exhibitions, events and demonstrations
• Maintaining accurate records of all clients and actions that have been done
• Keeping abreast of what competitors are doing
• Preparing presentations and promotions, as well as collaborating in Marketing campaigns.
• International travel

•Department management and supervision: project distribution and subsequent team management and information follow-up.
•Responsible for the organisation and management of group incentives, meetings and conferences.
•Liaising with clients to ascertain their precise event requirements.
•Coordinating suppliers, handling client queries and troubleshooting on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly.
•Defining and putting into practice goals for attracting and maintaining customers (researching markets to identify opportunities for events)
•Agreeing to and managing budgets.
•Coordinating staffing requirements and staff briefings.
•Collaboration in the analysis, definition and carrying out of profitability and productivity objectives set down for each financial year, as well as drawing strategies for putting into practice said objectives.
•Participation in the marketing of the company by attending trade fairs, visiting international clients, devising marketing plans and collaborating in marketing campaigns.
•Follow - up of contracting policies for different suppliers.
•Taking part and planning meetings with management and clients.
•Organising fam trips and international business trips in order to attract and keep clients.
•Post-event evaluation (including data entry and analysis and producing reports for event stakeholders)
•Participation in team training, integration and motivation.
•International travel.

- Meetings and Events Co-ordinator
Responsible for the organisation and management of Worldwide and European events, incentives, meetings, conferences, group accommodation and flights.
Events organisation from start to finish including taking the enquires from the client, contract negotiating, venue finding, group activities, hotel and flight contracts, rooming lists, transfers and restaurants, working with DMC´s and invoicing.
Managing events onsite, liaising with venue staff and delegates and managing other team members.
Participation in promotional events like FAM trips and exhibitions.

Responsible for clients in Latin America, Spain, Portugal, France, UK and Scandinavia.
Ensure the smooth operation of group tours from go ahead to final accounting stage: checking and amending quotations and itineraries to make sure they are feasible and ensure that the correct rates are provided, handling operational problems, co-ordinate with other GTA offices and suppliers on line, processing and producing invoices, payment collection and production of final tour documentation.
To monitor quality levels and meet client standards and expectations by taking responsibility for accepting or rejecting hotels, rates and services that do not meet requirements.
Suggest alternative services when original request is not available/ possible.
Maintain and develop excellent client relations.
Maximise profit where possible on each group: negotiate with internal departments and suppliers in order to control profitability levels and increase where possible, promote additional products and services to clients in order to generate additional turnover.
Ability to prioritise and work well under pressure meeting the deadlines of suppliers and clients successfully.
Assist sales department quoting itineraries for different markets.
Immediate response to all queries relating to groups. Ensure a positive and professional image of the company is portrayed to clients and suppliers as it develops into repeat business.

- FIT and Groups Reservations consultant
Inbound Tour Operator for the IBEROSTAR Group.
Making hotels, restaurants and trains reservations (Eurostar & GNER) I was also responsible for issuing excursions and tour tickets and making tailor made packages.
Research and negotiation by phone and email.
Negotiating rates with suppliers including hotels, coaches, restaurants and guides
Advising and selling new services.
Dealing with Transfers In and Out.
Entering confirmation, cancellation and modification details into the reservations system.
Sending rooming lists to hotels.
Acting as point of contact for any problems that could arise with clients or hotels in the UK.
Assist clients with any queries, cancellations and modifications on reservations via phone and email.
Training new staff.

Checking In / Out for individuals and groups.
Make sure customers have a pleasant stay, providing information about their accommodation, food and beverage services and parks and ensure that customer´s needs are fulfilled.
Dealing with customer complaints and provide the best possible solution for the customer and company
Concierge: selling excursions to Paris and park tickets, reservations for restaurants, shows and taxis, hiring material, cash handling and currency exchange.
Dealing with Hotel Administration: reservations, clients balances and switchboard.
Training new staff.
Took on extra duties as VIP Tour Guide whilst working also at reception.

Hiring cars, assist customers and deal with their requirements.
Providing general information.
Answering phone calls and dealing with customers complaints and needs.
Cash handling