About us

Part of London + Regional Hotels, The Lensbury Resort is located on the Banks of the River Thames at Teddington and is home to an exclusive leisure club, a 155 bedroom hotel, meeting and events space, restaurant and bar, Spa and 25 acres of gardens and grounds.

The Role

As an integral part of the commercial team, the Business Development Manager (Hotel Accommodation) will develop, and execute the strategic sales plan in order to drive new business for the hotel. Targeting new business through relationship building, effective use of CRM and analysis of market opportunities, this role will support production across a range of key market segments, including: corporate, group tour and retail.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the creation, development and execution of the bedroom sales plans in-line with the wider commercial and marketing plans
• Proactively seek new business opportunities, identifying target organisations and key decision makers in order to deliver growth from the Corporate, Group and Leisure bedroom segments
• Lead on the development, negotiation, contracting and re-contracting all of corporate and group bedroom agreements
• Conduct regular account management reviews with key bedroom accounts, ensuring contracted production are being met and exceeded 
• Develop account development plans for key accounts, ensuring additional opportunities are mined and developed as appropriate
• Identify and develop relationships with key agents, partners, local businesses
• Identify and develop relationships/agreements with key local attractions to support the production from the leisure/retail segment
• Manage GDS listing, promotions and employ strategies to maximise production
• Manage participation in relevant Consortia programmes
• Regularly report on production of key accounts across market segments, forecasting production and highlighting key opportunities and risk
• Manage the RFP platforms and annual RFP process, responding to appropriate RFPs in a timely manner
• Work closely with the Resort Revenue Director and Reservations Manager to proactively target periods of risk to achieve and exceed targets
• Work closely with the Front of House Manager to identify new corporate opportunities and potential corporate accounts
• Utilise market intelligence data to identify trends in the competitor set and to identify new corporate opportunities
• Identify, develop and manage relationships with tour operators, TMCs and wholesalers to drive production in key need periods
• Report on key sales KPIs on a weekly and monthly basis, suggesting areas for improvement to achieve and exceed budget and objectives
• Use CRM to maintain regular contact with target bookers, travel managers and agencies, ensuring front-of-mind awareness at all times
• Attend and represent The Lensbury Resort at events to support the awareness and production of room nights
• Arrange and host regular FAM trips, conducting site inspections and virtual tours to support the conversion of new business
• Work closely with the Marketing Manager to ensure sales and marketing plans are aligned and sales activities are supported with associated marketing activities and collateral
• Report on effectiveness of sales activities and new business with a drive for consistent improvement and data driven decision making
• Conduct sales research, analysis and market research
• Work closely with all HOD's to ensure new business opportunities are maximised at all times
• Attend regular commercial meetings to update on activity and aligning with commercial team on activity to drive revenue as required
• Support other business development activities and team members as required (MICE, Elite Sports and Membership etc)

What we’re looking for:

To be successful in this role, you must possess the following qualifications, attitude, behaviours, skills, and values:

• Excellent communicator and public speaker
• 3-5 years’ experience in a similar sales/business development role ideally within the hotel/hospitality/leisure industry
• Hotel bedroom sales experience desirable
• Experience of using RFP platforms, GDS and Agency 360 desirable
• A demonstrable network of corporate bookers/local businesses
• A good knowledge of the local market (SW London/Home Counties) highly desirable
• Excellent understanding of CRM management
• Team player
• Excellent time management skills with a natural ability to prioritise and manage workload
• Ability to manage, analyse and present data effectively in order to make informed decisions on sales activity with a proven track record of demonstrating effectiveness of activities

What's in it for you? 

• Free meals whilst on duty
• Paid annual leave of 28 days including public holidays
• Use of some leisure facilities, including gym & swimming pool (after successful 30 day review)
• EAP for you and your family
• Online benefits portal offering lots of discounts
• Fully funded Apprenticeship opportunities
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Staff Awards and Social events throughout the year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Refer a Friend programme
• Staff Discounts at The Lensbury and across the L+R portfolio