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
Hospitality Sales Manager (Level 2) to Senior
3-5 years as a Mid-Level ManagerSkills to master
- Consistently exceeding individual quotas, building strong client relationships, mastering complex contract negotiations, and demonstrating initiative in taking on larger accounts.
You're ready to move on when
- You're already handling some of the larger, more complex accounts with minimal supervision.
- Junior team members frequently come to you for advice and guidance.
- You consistently hit 110%+ of your individual sales targets.
- You're proactively identifying and pursuing new market segments or 'whale' accounts.
- 2
Senior Sales Executive (from a related industry)
Transitioning from 5+ years in B2B event sales, corporate travel sales, or MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sales.Skills to master
- Adapting sales methodologies to the unique nuances of hospitality, quickly learning our specific CRM and PMS systems, and building a network within the hospitality planning community.
You're ready to move on when
- You have a strong, transferable B2B sales track record with large deal sizes.
- You show a genuine interest and quick grasp of the hospitality industry specifics.
- You're a fast learner and can quickly build rapport with new internal and external stakeholders.
- 3
Assistant Director of Sales (Small Property) to Senior (Large Property)
2-3 years as ADOS in a smaller, independent hotel or a limited-service property.Skills to master
- Scaling your sales strategies to a larger, more complex operation, managing higher revenue targets, and working with a broader range of internal departments.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed a small sales team or a significant market segment.
- You're looking for a step up in terms of property size, complexity, and revenue responsibility.
- You're comfortable with strategic planning and execution at a higher level.