Director, Sales -- Hospitality Network

Company: Cox Communications, Inc. Job Family Group: Sales Job Profile: Director, Sales-Hospitality Network - CCI Management Level: Director Travel %: Yes, 25% of the time Work Shift: Day (United States of America) Job Description: Role Summary The Hospitality Network (HN) Director of Sales is responsible for the development and implementation of the national hospitality vertical sales strategy. Hospitality Network includes, but is not limited to, providing products and services to prospective customers for Hospitality, Stadiums/Arenas, Convention Centers, and Large Public Venues, nationwide. The HN Sales Director is responsible for direct leadership of the Hospitality Network sales management team and indirect leadership of the national hospitality vertical sales channel, all toward the achievement of the Company’s overall financial objectives. The position works in an office setting with some travel for customer visits, local CB market engagement, and industry events. The role is part of a budget-driven, sales organization; the incumbent is required to meet ambitious sales goals in the hospitality vertical, provide leadership, and development of employees to achieve sales results and handle sales transactions of that are of a high complexity. The position requires travel 25% of the time. Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions Essential functions of the role include sales leadership and planning, communication, vertical thought leadership, hospitality vertical business development strategy, administration, and self-development. Primary responsibilities within these functions include: Develops a professional sales culture, including remote indirect team members. Serves as a role model for the sales team in all aspects of the business. Balances the urgency of meeting budget goals with focus on team success and customer satisfaction. Provides vertical and industry expertise as the sales leader of the hospitality and guest experience vertical. Partners closely with Technology, Engineering, and Field Services thought leaders who also specialize in the hospitality vertical, in order to build custom solutions designed to meet the needs of our most complex and demanding hospitality customers. Also, works closely with Technology, Field Services, and Cox Business Customer Experience team to ensure alignment with standard process where feasible, while enabling aggressive revenue growth. Analyzes the productivity of the overall sales organization and recommends adjustments to staffing, quotas, commissions and resources in order to maximize results. Conducts reviews of direct reports to ensure performance standards are met and, if not, takes immediate action to improve performance level. Hires Sales Managers with the abilities required to lead the achievement of sales and other business goals specific to the hospitality vertical Coaches, develops, and manages Sales Managers to improve individual and team performance and capability. Collaborates with local Human Resource representatives to ensure the personnel and training needs of the sales team are met. Develop tactical plans for base protection, competitive threats, growth, and market development. Approves and coordinates sales accounts and territory agreements. Also collaborates with local market Cox Business leadership to determine the most effective teaming strategy for joint accounts. Oversees channel strategies of direct reports, ensures an appropriate balance of channel relationships, and implements corporate programs and policies for new channels. Participates in development of partner network and selection in conjunction with Vice President of HN, Technology, CB Product, Legal, and Supply Chain. Anticipates and adapts to industry trends to keep Hospitality Network competitively positioned. This includes leadership around convention services, guest and visitor experiences such as sports arenas, concert venues, stadiums, retail shopping venues, patient stay facilities such as hospitals, and national hoteliers. Collaborates with the Vice President of Hospitality, Finance, Marketing, and Engineering or others as required in the annual budgeting process. Recommends sales quotas, compensation plan adjustments, and management targets that will meet or exceed budgeted sales objectives. Develops, manages, and monitors the Department’s Sales Plan. Takes proactive measures to keep the Sales Department on plan. Reacts quickly with corrective action when sales are not meeting expectations. Collaborates with Legal, Finance, and key HN leadership to ensure compliance to various hospitality industry, gaming industry, state/local, and federal regulations Develops programs, campaigns, policies, and resources to maximize the efficiency of the sales organization and the productivity of each sales channel. Partners with Marketing, Operations, Installation, Finance, Legal, Construction, and Engineering to ensure that strategies and processes are aligned. Works with counterparts at corporate and Residential as required ensuring hospitality-focused sales resources are selling in alignment with corporate/regional sales strategies. Communicate customer concerns, sales opportunities, implementations, and related issues within the sales team, across the system, across systems, and with corporate/regional staff. Recommends and coordinates implementation of solutions with various Cox organizations. Leads sales team meetings to communicate progress toward sales targets and changes in direction, products, policies, expectations, processes, and standards. Develop appropriate tracking metrics and provide regular sales reports on the performance of the national hospitality and guest experience sales organization. Maintains regular (pipeline) reports to determine that there are sufficient sales opportunities at all stages of the sales cycle to achieve budgeted sales targets. In collaboration with the Vice President of Hospitality, recommends approval or disapproval of business cases for capital based on the return on investment, for opportunities rolled up by his management team. Reviews commission policies, reports, and payments as required. Controls expenses and maximizes capital investments while meeting or exceeding revenue goals and maximizing product margin. Remains current on technical information regarding data and video products and offerings, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), networking, consultative sales skills, and sales management and negotiation skills through completion of required/recommended training program. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum BA/BS and 10 years of successful hospitality industry sales leadership experience or related industry (MS 8 years, Ph.D. 5 years or 14 years experience with no formal degree) At least 5 years successful experience in sales leadership Requires ability to use Windows based Personal Computer and strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Office suite. Valid driver’s license, good driving record, reliable transportation Excellent skills in leading complex organizations, matrix management, building relationships, building sales organizations, business sales skills, coaching and development, demonstrates business acumen, high impact communication, continuous learning, marshaling resources, promoting accountability, PC skills, and setting sales unit strategy, in order to work effectively with teams throughout organization. Preferred Advanced Degree, MBA/MS/MA Experience in Convention Services arena Experience in Sports and Guest Experience arena (5 years) Experience in National Hotelier arena (5 years) Experience in the gaming industry (5 years) Experience in the telecommunications industry desired About Us: Cox Communications is all about creating moments of real human connection; and for employees, that’s true both in the workplace and in the problems we solve for customers. From building advertising solutions to unleashing IoT technologies to creating an exceptional experience for customers in our retail locations and online, we’re creating a world that is smarter and more connected. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.