The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Assistant Director of Sales (ADOS) at a larger property
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Team management (3-5 reports), strategic planning for a major market segment, budget contribution, advanced negotiation, cross-functional collaboration with Revenue Management.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding team revenue targets.
- Successfully mentored junior sales managers.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership decisions.
- Proven track record of strategic account growth.
- 2
Senior Hospitality Sales Manager (SHSM) at a similar property
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Managing the largest, most complex accounts, leading challenging negotiations, informal mentorship of junior staff, deep market segment expertise, contributing to overall sales strategy.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding individual sales quota (110%+).
- Recognised as a go-to expert for complex deals or market segments.
- Proactively taking on leadership responsibilities (e.g., leading team meetings, training new hires).
- Strong relationships with key internal stakeholders (Revenue, Operations).
- 3
Director of Sales for a smaller, independent hotel
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Full ownership of sales strategy and budget for a smaller operation, wearing 'many hats' across sales and sometimes marketing, hands-on leadership of a smaller team.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully built and executed a full sales plan.
- Managed a small sales team to hit revenue targets.
- Proven ability to operate with significant autonomy and accountability.
- Strong understanding of all sales functions from lead generation to contracting.