Sales Manager, Leisure

Company Description

The Grand Tarabya Managed by Accor

As soon as you step inside The Grand Tarabya Managed by Accor, which holds a very special place in Istanbul's history, you will feel the charm of a 100-years-old past, the highest architectural and aesthetic standards, and the splendor inspired by the sparkle of the Bosphorus. From the 4.500 square meter spa area to the panoramic Bosphorus view of 29 residences and 248 rooms, from the magnificent 1.280 square meter ballroom to the restaurants and bars offering an unforgettable gastronomic adventure, The Grand Tarabya Managed by Accor, combines care, elegance, and comfort in every detail. With its doors opening to the Bosphorus, The Grand Tarabya Managed by Accor, will forever hold its place in your memory.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Sales Manager, Leisure to join our dynamic team in Istanbul, Turkey. In this pivotal role, you will drive leisure revenue growth and brand visibility by attracting affluent travelers, vacationing families, luxury guests, and leisure groups from key international and regional markets. You will identify new business opportunities, build strong commercial relationships, and develop tailored sales strategies to maximize bookings, enhance revenue performance, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This is an excellent opportunity for a visionary sales professional who is passionate about luxury hospitality and committed to achieving ambitious commercial objectives.

• Drive leisure revenue growth by targeting affluent travelers, luxury vacationers, families, and leisure groups across key source markets, with a focus on the Istanbul and broader Turkish market
• Develop and execute comprehensive leisure-focused sales strategies that align with luxury positioning while maximizing profitability and guest satisfaction
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, luxury travel advisors, destination management companies (DMCs), and key leisure partners
• Develop relationships with high-value leisure clients and VIP guests to support repeat business, loyalty, and positive brand advocacy
• Identify and leverage revenue opportunities including holiday packages, exclusive offers, seasonal promotions, and strategic partnerships
• Monitor and analyze leisure sales performance, including bookings, revenue contribution, market trends, and competitive positioning
• Provide regular sales updates, insights, and recommendations to support business objectives and identify emerging opportunities
• Stay informed on leisure travel trends, emerging source markets, consumer preferences, and evolving luxury travel behaviors specific to the region
• Collaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to develop compelling leisure campaigns, content, partnerships, and promotional initiatives
• Work closely with Operations and Revenue Management teams to ensure seamless guest journeys and optimize commercial opportunities
• Develop tailored sales initiatives and packages that appeal to different leisure segments while maintaining brand integrity
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and maintain competitive advantage in the leisure segment

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in sales and business development, preferably within the luxury hotel industry with a strong focus on the leisure segment
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, developing new business, and consistently achieving or exceeding sales targets
• Strong understanding of luxury leisure travel, including relevant source markets, travel trends, customer behavior, and distribution channels
• Experience working with luxury hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, and luxury travel advisors
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic sales plans and leisure-focused initiatives
• Experience in the Turkish or Middle Eastern leisure market is highly desirable

Skills

• Strong sales and negotiation skills with the ability to develop compelling proposals and convert opportunities into revenue
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to build rapport and influence clients, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Market research and analytical capabilities to identify trends, analyze customer behavior, and develop effective sales strategies
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong, long-term relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel advisors, and direct clients
• Proactive business development approach with the ability to identify new accounts, partnerships, and revenue opportunities
• Leadership and collaboration skills to work effectively across Marketing, Revenue, Operations, and senior management teams
• Proficiency with CRM systems and sales platforms for managing accounts, tracking leads, and generating reports
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with hotel sales systems and commercial reporting tools is an advantage

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sales & Marketing, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred
• Relevant certifications in sales, hospitality, or commercial management are considered an advantage

Domain Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of luxury hospitality and leisure travel industry
• Understanding of high-net-worth individual behavior and preferences
• Expertise in leisure segment dynamics and market positioning

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated, commercially driven, and results-oriented with a genuine passion for luxury hospitality and leisure travel
• Strong commercial awareness with a proactive approach to identifying and converting new business opportunities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple departments
• Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, target-driven environment
• Well-connected within the luxury travel, hospitality, and leisure industry is highly desirable
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Transparent communicator with the ability to provide clear, actionable insights and recommendations

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required
• Additional language skills, particularly Turkish, Arabic, French, German, or Spanish, would be an advantage