South Africa: Account Executive – MICE posted by Career Custodians

About the Role

As an Account Executive: MICE, you will drive revenue and foster partnerships with key trade agents within the industry to promote and sell Village N Life properties and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Knowledge:
• In-depth knowledge of the VNL hotels, facilities, services, amenities especially pertaining to VNL Trade products.
• Knowledge of Policies and Procedures.
• Stay updated on renovations, expansions, and upcoming enhancements to effectively communicate these updates to trade agents.
• Understand menu offerings at each property
• In-depth knowledge of Touch-Points at each property
• Sub Brands:
• Basic details/terms of sub-brands within the Village N Life portfolio

• Customer Service:
• Anticipate and exceed the expectations of trade agents, providing personalised attention and solutions to enhance their experience.
• Proactively follow up with trade agents after their guests’ stays or events, demonstrating a commitment to their satisfaction.
• Conduct training sessions and product presentations for trade partners to enhance their knowledge of VNL properties, services, and unique selling points.
• Provide updates on renovations and special promotions to trade partners to keep them informed and engaged.

• Sales Strategy:
• Identify, target, establish, and maintain relationships with Trade Partners, including PCO’s (Professional Conference Organizers), MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Government entities, Production companies, and Corporate clients.
• Training of agents consultants on VnL products at their premises.
• Achieve assigned sales targets by actively promoting VNL properties to trade partners, effectively positioning the properties as preferred choices for their clientele.
• Segment agents based on their potential value and prioritise sales efforts accordingly to maximize ROI.
• Develop tailored sales pitches and proposals that align with the unique needs and preferences of individual agents.

• Key Account Management:
• Organise and host property visits and site inspections for key partners, showcasing VNL’s facilities and services.
• Collaborate with partners to create enticing packages and offers that drive bookings and revenue for VNL.
• Act as the main point of contact for key agents, addressing their concerns and ensuring their requirements are met.

• Marketing:
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create collateral, such as brochures and presentations.
• Leverage social media platforms and digital marketing to engage agents and showcase VNL’s offerings to their audiences.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure partners have access to relevant marketing materials and support for promotional activities.
• Participate in shows, industry events, and familiarization trips to strengthen relationships with partners and promote VNL properties effectively.

• Customer Relations:
• Proactively engage with agents to understand their upcoming needs and align VNL’s offerings accordingly.
• Organise special appreciation events or personalised gestures for agents to strengthen relationships and foster loyalty.
• Maintain regular communication with partners to ensure strong working relationships and promptly address their needs and concerns.
• Assist in investigating and resolving customer complaints raised by partners, demonstrating commitment to their satisfaction.

• Administration:
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all account interactions, bookings, and agreements in the CRM system.
• Prepare contracts, addendums, and other documentation for account agreements, collaborating with legal teams as needed.
• Mailer distribution to database.

• Product Development:
• Collaborate with VNL’s operations team to identify potential enhancements or new services that cater specifically to the needs of agents.
• Pilot and test new offerings with select agents to gather feedback before wider implementation.
• Support the creative thinking on development of new products and offerings.

• Reporting:
• Generate detailed weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on agent performance, including revenue generated, room nights booked, and PET.
• Analyse sales data and trends to identify areas for improvement and recommend actionable strategies for higher sales performance.
• Prepare regular reports on sales performance, market trends, and competitor activities to present to the sales management team.
• Analyse sales data to identify successful strategies and areas for improvement, providing actionable insights to optimise sales efforts.

• Other
• Able to work shifts according to operational requirements (up to 2 Saturdays per month).
• The ideal candidate would need to be a team player and work well with colleagues in collaboration of monitoring email boxes and telephone lines.
• The candidate would not be a typical time watcher and would be eager to assist the department to achieve maximum efficiency.
• Maintenance and administration of the Sales CRM system.