Business Development Executive

**Business Development Executive - Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins and Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall**

One of Melbourne's most iconic CBD arcades is fast transforming into a landmark retail and holiday destination. The redevelopment of "Melbourne Walk" Arcade will soon see IHG's first Australian dual-branded hotel project. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's vibrant CBD, this project combines the boutique charm of Hotel Indigo with the modern comfort of Holiday Inn, offering a unique blend of hospitality experiences across 452 rooms.

Open the door into Hotel Indigo and guests can expect local character, modern design and warm, professional service with a vibrant and individual flavour, bringing the edgy laneway neighbourhood of Little Collins Street to life. Making the most of the retail haven, Holiday Inn will offer a modern, fresh and friendly stay for a wide variety of guests coming to enjoy the convenience and value they know and love from Holiday Inn, and all that Bourke Street Mall has to offer.

We are on the lookout for a driven, friendly and approachable Business Development Executive that will work alongside our Business Development Director to proactively target new clients and source new business. This role will collaborate with strategic partners to support each hotels positioning and actively promote the hotels in market.

**A little taste of your day-to-day**

Every day is different, but as part of the pre-opening team, you will play a key role in ensuring these new hotels are ready to welcome their first guests, including:

- Develop and maintain great working relationships with key clients and outside contacts to increase revenue
- Proactively manage key relationships with National and Regional Sales teams and sister properties to ensure alignment across the region and accounts
- Collaborate with Conference & Events team to ensure the client's vision for Groups or Meetings is brought to life on property
- Actively pursue opportunities to build the Corporate and MICE segment for the hotel, which includes contracted corporate, group, conference and event business, create an ongoing pipeline, and successfully shift business from the competition through active engagement with the customer via face to face or voice conversations.
- Identify new source markets and create strategies to penetrate them, including conducting opportunity research using subscribed channels to identify potential new business and opportunities.
- Support sales initiatives for the Hotel with site inspections, client entertainment, familiarisations, attending trade shows, and other events that form part of the sales and marketing plan.
- Maintain strong presence in the local community by participating in business / industry organisations, associations and developing a broad external network.

**What we need from you**
- Bachelor's degree / higher education qualification / equivalent in Hotel Administration or Sales/Management
- Minimum 2 years of demonstrated hotel sales experience within Australasia with a proven track record of success driving repeat business
- Proven ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities with a hunter mindset
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good understanding of hotel systems and revenue management principles
- Undertaken formal sales training program (internal or external)
- Full working rights within Australia with no restrictions

**What you can expect from us**

Not only will you benefit from a truly unique and career-defining opportunity as part of this exciting hotel opening, but you'll receive a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work and a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life - including, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business.

Most importantly, your career journey will be supported through our lifelong development programs, IHG career milestone celebrations, and transfer of leave entitlements as you move and grow with IHG.

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

So, join us and you'll become part of our ever-growing global family.

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.

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.