Assistant Director of SalesOverviewThe Assistant Director of Sales holds a crucial leadership role, focused on boosting revenue across the MICE, Leisure, Corporate, and Golf segments for both The Killarney Park and The Ross hotels. This involves the strategic development, acquisition, and retention of key business in both domestic and international markets. This role serves as a senior commercial leader within the department, assisting the Director of Sales & Marketing (DOSM) in executing the overall sales strategy, managing daily sales operations, and ensuring exceptional client relationship management. The Assistant Director of Sales is expected to take over departmental leadership when the DOSM is absent. The ideal candidate should be an experienced luxury hospitality sales professional who possesses strong commercial insight, international market exposure, and the ability to cultivate high-performing teams, all while representing the properties with professionalism and poise.About the roleKey ResponsibilitiesSales Strategy & Segment DevelopmentDevelop, prepare, and execute tactical and long-term sales plans for the MICE, Leisure, Golf, and Corporate segments, ensuring alignment with the wider hotel strategy.Identify and convert new business opportunities across domestic and key international markets.Demonstrate a clear understanding of luxury market positioning, tailoring strategies to attract high-value clients and travel partners.Collaborate with international sales partners, including Leading Hotels of the World teams, to target the most suitable global markets.Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging client expectations to optimise performance.Achieve and exceed revenue, market share, and segment targets.2. Client Relationship ManagementBuild and nurture strong, long-term relationships with key accounts, travel partners, event planners, DMCs, golf operators, corporates, and other industry stakeholders.Conduct regular client meetings, presentations, and negotiations to secure repeat and new business.Host and coordinate engaging site inspections and FAM trips, showcasing the hotels' luxury offering and unique selling points.Maintain a high level of product knowledge and represent the hotels in line with their luxury brand standards.3. Market Presence & RepresentationRepresent the hotels at major domestic and international trade shows, roadshows, networking events, and sales missions.Act as a brand ambassador, ensuring consistent positioning and elevating brand awareness globally.4. Operational Excellence & Data ManagementPrepare accurate sales forecasts, reports, financial analyses, and market insights for senior leadership.Use sales systems, market intelligence, and guest feedback to inform strategy and identify areas for improvement.Understand operational and administrative processes, generating innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.Work collaboratively with Revenue, Marketing, Reservations, and operational teams to align strategies and maximise performance.5. Team Leadership & Department SupportSupport the DOSM in leading, mentoring, and motivating the Sales & Marketing team to achieve departmental and individual performance goals.Act as departmental lead during the DOSM's absence, ensuring continuity of operations and decision-making.Provide constructive guidance and feedback to support the professional development of team members.Review and adapt team structure and processes to meet evolving business needs.Personal AttributesHighly polished, confident, and able to represent a luxury brand with professionalism.Strategic, results-oriented, and commercially focused thinker.Exceptional interpersonal skills with a collaborative and relationship-driven approach.Motivational leadership style that inspires high performance.Creative problem-solver with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.Passionate about luxury hospitality and delivering exceptional guest and client experiences.About the companyThis independent, family-owned five-star hotel offers quiet luxury, heartfelt warmth, and an unmistakable sense of place. Fresh from a sweeping 2025 renovation, its 69 rooms and suites echo Kerry's natural beauty-layered with bespoke design, sustainable materials, and local craftsmanship. Authentic Irish hospitality lives in the personalised service, the nurturing ambiance of The Spa, and the creative, seasonal menus. With both lively Killarney town and the breathtaking National Park mere steps away, The Killarney Park invites you to slow down and savour a genuine connection with Kerry. Time moves differently here. Slower, kinder, richer. From the moment you arrive, you belong.Required Criteria
Minimum 2-3 years' experience in luxury hotel sales, with proven success across MICE, Leisure, or Golf segments
Strong understanding of international markets and luxury hospitality trends
Demonstrated success in securing and growing high-value accounts
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop and manage strategic account plans
Experience leading or supervising team members
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
High level of professionalism with the ability to represent luxury brands confidently
Strong analytical capabilities and experience working with sales systems and performance metrics
Desired Criteria
Bachelor's degree in hospitality, Business, or a related field
Existing relationships within the luxury travel, MICE, and international sales communities.
Experience with Opera, Salesforce, or similar hotel sales systems.
Previous experience with luxury hotel brands or Leading Hotels of the World.