A Commercial Director for the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre will be responsible for developing a commercial strategy covering all segments and channels to maximize total revenue and profit performance as well as market share penetration of the hotel.

What will I be doing?

As Commercial Director for the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, you will lead efforts to increase sales, revenue, reservations, and group and event marketing through the development of new and the expansion of existing business. The Commercial Director will train, coach, and continuously develop the Commercial Team. Specifically, a Commercial Director will perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

• Evaluate accurately hotel market mix and revenue forecasts
• Review and analyse, in a proactive manner, rate and inventory management and strategy effectiveness
• Lead effective efforts to coordinate strategies for group sales and to optimise conversion
• Provide guidance for local marketing initiatives
• Communicate Revenue Management Standards and best practices
• Develops short, medium and long-term strategies for hotels through the Commercial Focus matrix and provide consultative support to other commercial support functions
• Make recommendations to take full advantage of revenue opportunities
• Train team members to understand key selling strategies and revenue management, including new tools, Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) tracking
• Coach and develop the hotel-based Business Development Team, through objectives setting, personal development and succession plans
• Prepare, analyse and write reports to outline business progress and opportunities
• Assist with the account diagnostics process and validate conclusions for negotiated business and on-line sales strategies
• Evaluate market demand by utilising available reports --- both internal and external, including market share, market conditions, competitive pricing
• Generate periodic updates on transient booking patterns
• Maintain effective working relationships with all key suppliers
• Recruiting, manage, train and develop the Business Development team

What are we looking for?

A Commercial Director for the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

• A strong understanding of all commercial operations, including reservations, selling strategies across all business units and segments, account management, development of relationships within various source markets, establishment and maintenance of budgets, and revenue strategies and yield systems
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate, verbal and in written form, effectively with Management and Ownership groups
• Excellent organisation skills
• Ability to work well under time pressure and/or demanding travel schedules
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a full understanding of professional ethics, decorum and social skills required for extensive interaction with customers, investment owners and business partners
• Ability to perform critical analysis
• Strong experience in hospitality forecasting, pricing and inventory control
• Strong leadership skills to effectively manage and motivate a high-performing team positioned to exceed targets
• Strong people management skills
• Strong analytical skills to understand key business indicators and competitive trends and develop approaches to these challenges
• Excellent selling capabilities and the ability and desire to coach selling techniques to Team Members

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

• Knowledge of the hotel property management systems
• Significant experience in revenue management or a similar analytical role
• Intermediate to advance computer proficiency
• Relevant degree, in business development or other relevant business field, from an academic institution

What will it be like to work for Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts?

Waldorf Astoria provides guests the exceptional environment and the personalised attention of True Waldorf Service that creates a singular experience. If you understand the value of personalised attention and know how to treat even the most extraordinarily different experiences with the same rich level of customer service, you may just be the person we are looking for!