Sales Manager

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts · Mumbai metropolitan region, India

The Sales Manager – Celebrations will be responsible for driving wedding, social celebrations, and luxury event business across The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts portfolio in India. The role will focus on developing new business opportunities, strengthening relationships with wedding planners, event management companies, luxury lifestyle partners, and high-net-worth clientele while supporting hotel sales teams in securing marquee celebrations.

Working closely with the Corporate Sales team and hotel-based Sales teams, the incumbent will develop strategic sales initiatives, manage key accounts, generate qualified leads, and contribute towards achieving the Group's wedding and celebrations revenue objectives.

The role requires a commercially driven sales professional with strong industry relationships, a deep understanding of the luxury wedding market, and the ability to position The Leela as the preferred destination for bespoke celebrations.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and execute a national sales strategy to drive wedding and celebration business across The Leela portfolio.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities through wedding planners, luxury event designers, event management companies, destination wedding specialists, luxury travel advisors, and strategic alliances.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key influencers, wedding consultants, luxury brands, and corporate partners.
• Expand The Leela's network of preferred wedding and celebration partners across India and key international source markets.
• Represent The Leela at luxury wedding exhibitions, trade shows, networking events, and industry forums.

Sales & Revenue Generation

• Drive wedding and celebrations revenue across all The Leela hotels by supporting hotel sales teams in converting high-value opportunities.
• Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue targets for weddings and social events.
• Identify opportunities for portfolio-wide business development and cross-selling between properties.
• Support negotiations for large-scale weddings and complex celebration events while ensuring commercial profitability.
• Monitor and manage the sales pipeline to ensure timely follow-up and conversion of enquiries.
• Maximize revenue through strategic packaging, upselling, and value-added offerings.

Client & Partner Relationship Management

• Serve as the key relationship manager for marquee wedding planners, luxury event agencies, and strategic accounts.
• Conduct presentations, virtual showcases, and familiarization visits for prospective clients and partners.
• Understand client requirements and collaborate with hotel teams to curate bespoke celebration experiences.
• Ensure a seamless customer journey from lead generation through event confirmation.

Collaboration with Hotel Sales Teams

• Partner with Directors of Sales and Celebration Sales teams across all properties to identify and pursue high-potential opportunities.
• Provide strategic support for large weddings, destination celebrations, and VIP events.
• Facilitate cross-property collaboration to maximize portfolio-wide business opportunities.
• Share market intelligence, best practices, and sales insights with hotel teams.

Sales Operations & CRM Management

• Maintain accurate lead management through Salesforce CRM.
• Ensure timely updating of sales activities, opportunities, and account information.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on lead generation, pipeline status, conversions, and revenue performance.
• Analyze sales trends and recommend strategies to improve conversion and productivity.

Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, pricing strategies, and emerging opportunities within the luxury celebrations market.
• Identify evolving customer preferences and recommend innovative celebration offerings.
• Provide market insights to support pricing, positioning, and promotional initiatives.

Brand Representation

• Uphold and promote The Leela's luxury brand standards in every client interaction.
• Strengthen The Leela's positioning as India's preferred luxury destination for weddings and celebrations.
• Support brand campaigns, experiential events, and partnership initiatives that enhance visibility within the luxury wedding segment.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• MBA in Marketing, Sales, Hospitality Management, or Business Administration is preferred.
• Certification in Event Management, Wedding Planning, Luxury Brand Management, or Sales Management will be an added advantage.

Experience

• 6–8 years of experience in luxury hotel sales, wedding sales, celebration sales, or business development.
• Experience within luxury hospitality, destination weddings, event management, or premium lifestyle brands is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing key accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Strong relationships with wedding planners, luxury event companies, destination wedding specialists, and premium event partners across India, particularly in Mumbai and other key metropolitan markets.

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial and sales acumen.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Relationship-building and networking expertise.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills.
• Customer-centric approach with a luxury service mindset.
• Strong planning, organization, and execution capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across a geographically dispersed portfolio.
• Results-oriented with a proactive approach to business development.