Senior Director of Group Sales

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Chicago, IL | Full-Time | Salaried

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

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.

• 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.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.

• 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.

• 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…