National Account Director (Bengaluru Based)

Role Purpose:

This role is directly responsible for managing a portfolio of IHG National Sales Key Accounts, SWA, across specified markets & segments to deliver revenue & growth opportunities to IHG, with a dedicated focus on identifying, signing & activating new IHG Global Sales Key Accounts.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic Account Management

• Understand Key Account(s) drivers, behaviors, values & opportunities
• Maintain relationships with multiple key contacts within all subsidiaries and/or business units to maximize revenue delivery to IHG
• Explore unique ways to drive returns (share shift, Mutual Value, partnerships, etc.)
• Anticipate & overcome objections through thoughtful research & consideration of potential solutions, impactful negotiation skills and creative problem-solving
• Prioritize time to think & strategize; create & execute a Strategic Account Plan
• Be a strategic leader of global account team(s) as applicable
  
  

Work Collaboratively

• Appropriately share information & ideas across stakeholder groups & IHG tools & resources to advance sales efforts
• Be a valued advisor sought out by others for guidance
• Exhibit an ability to influence others within the organization to achieve intended outcomes
• Encourage & participate in open & honest dialogue amongst account teams, peers & leaders
• Champion interdependency & act as a liaison for Global Sales in cross-functional working groups
  
  

Sales & Business Acumen

• Possess end-to-end critical thinking skills: the ability to interpret & action data, articulate a business case, and evaluate ROI/financial impact of potential actions
• Mastery of industry & IHG metrics, reporting, tools & sales methodologies (7 Habits)
• Research & action calculated risks to enhance our ability to close revenue & shift market share amongst key accounts
• Achieve yearly financial targets & business goals
• Embody a seeker mentality; always look for the next revenue opportunity within your accounts
  
  

Communication Skills

• Continually practice & improve written, verbal & non-verbal communication skills
• Successfully tailor your message to the audience(s) for maximum impact
• Demonstrate comfort in addressing internal & external stakeholders
• Be adept at empathic listening, probing questions & productive debate
• Seek first to understand, then be understood
  
  

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

• Commit to a mindset of continuous self-development
• Be receptive to feedback & coaching from peers & leaders
• Make & take opportunities to stretch, learn & grow
• Embody a naturally curious, entrepreneur
• Display exceptional time management & organizational skills
  
  

Focus on Business Development

• Leverage prospecting tools, tradeshow leads & direct sales activities to identify potential new Key Accounts.
• Engage in proactive sales activities to identify & activate new Key Contacts, Accounts & Segments
• Work with IHG Global Sellers, Hotels & IHG Global Sales Programs to identify potential new Key Accounts
• Qualify, contract with & activate new Key Accounts to the benefit of IHG Global Sales
  
  

Required Education, Experience, Technical Skills and Knowledge:

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Marketing, Management, Business, Hospitality or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.

Technical Skills And Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience in working in global markets, deep understanding of managing across cultural teams and cultural client interactions.
• Demonstrated sales management experience in organizing, planning and executing large-scale sales segment plans from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills for the purpose of providing information to clients, vendors, senior management and staff. Must be able to work effectively at board level in client companies, possess strong relationship management skills, and well-developed negotiating and persuading abilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of hotels and hotel sales & marketing, business planning, etc., along with strong sales ability, sales management, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of competitors sales strategies, positions and initiatives.
• Demonstrate a strong commercial acumen and hold a high-level understanding of operating in an owned managed and franchised environment. Experience with franchise organization or ownership constituencies is preferable. International experience or handling accounts with international scope is required.
• Demonstrated computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint AND using sales-related software.
  
  

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You'll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there's Room for You at IHG.

Over recent years, we've transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love.

We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That's why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that's why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate.

We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job We'll never know unless you hit the Apply button. Start your journey with us today.