Assistant Director of Sales - Groups & Events

About the role

Kempinski is looking for an Assistant Director of Sales for its Groups & Events team in Dubai. The role supports the Director of Groups and Events in managing the department, especially in the Director's absence, and extends that support to other sales team members when requested.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Groups and Events in managing the department and attend meetings and client events in their place or alongside them.
• Receive, qualify and coordinate event and group requests (leads, RFPs, etc.) and handle them within 5 business hours, applying the Kempinski MICE SOPs from enquiry to contracting.
• Optimize the use of meeting and conference rooms, carry out site inspections with potential MICE clients with the Field Sales department, and follow up on proposals within 24 hours.
• Manage enquiries until conversion to bookings, including negotiation, contracting and site inspection, then hand over the business to the Event Manager or Groups & Events Coordinator with all relevant information.
• Generate proposals and contracts, create activities to maintain bookings, and conduct exit interviews with important customers to ask for future business.
• Cross-sell to other Kempinski hotels and GHA, run regular competition checks, review monthly results and forecasts, and maintain LOS/CAN and UNC business.
• Perform further administrative tasks and other duties assigned by management.

Required profile

• College degree in Hospitality.
• At least 3 years of experience in luxury hotels; Groups & Events management, reservations or sales experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and analytical skills, with the ability to adapt quickly to a changing market and solve problems proactively.

Required skills

• Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Micros Fidelio Opera and Sales & Catering