Strategic Sales Leader | 13+ Years of Hospitality Excellence Driving Revenue Growth and Client Retention Proven expertise in strategic account management, sales optimization, and client acquisition across luxury hospitality brands. Skilled in leading high-performing teams, analyzing market trends, and forging enduring partnerships to exceed revenue targets. Adept at aligning sales strategies with business objectives while delivering exceptional client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Sales
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
01.2025 - Current
Lead and mentor a team of 9 corporate sales managers based in Mumbai, driving performance, productivity, and professional growth.
Strategize and execute sales plans to maximize revenue across 13 hotels within The Leela portfolio.
Build and sustain strong relationships with key corporate clients, travel partners, and global accounts to ensure repeat and long-term business.
Drive corporate rate negotiations, RFP processes, and contracting for multinational and domestic accounts.
Collaborate with revenue management, marketing, and operations to align sales strategies with brand objectives and market positioning.
Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer insights to identify new business opportunities.
Ensure delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets, maintaining profitability and brand standards.
Represent the brand at trade shows, corporate events, and industry forums to strengthen The Leela’s presence and positioning.
Senior Accounts Director
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
05.2024 - 12.2024
Strategic Account Management: Led strategic account planning for high-value clients, fostering long-term relationships and driving revenue growth.
Revenue Optimization: Developed and implemented innovative sales strategies to optimize room bookings, banquet venues, and F&B revenue streams.
Client Retention & Acquisition: Cultivated strong relationships with existing clients while proactively identifying and acquiring new accounts to expand market share.
Team Leadership: Directed and mentored a dynamic sales team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and consistently exceeding revenue targets.
Market Analysis: Conducted in-depth market research to identify trends, competitive positioning, and emerging opportunities for business expansion.
Contract Negotiation: Managed complex negotiations with corporate and high-profile clients, securing lucrative contracts and partnerships.
Sales Performance Monitoring: Analyzed KPIs to evaluate team performance, introduced actionable improvements, and achieved operational efficiency.
Collaborative Initiatives: Partnered with the marketing team to craft targeted campaigns, enhancing client engagement and brand visibility.
Budget Management: Oversaw sales budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation and alignment with financial objectives.
Customer-Centric Focus: Delivered exceptional client service by tailoring solutions to meet unique customer needs, ensuring high satisfaction and repeat business.
Associate Director of Sales
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
11.2023 - 04.2024
Spearheaded national sales strategies, optimizing room and banquet venue bookings across key city sectors.
Directed and inspired a high-performing sales team, consistently exceeding quarterly revenue targets.
Cultivated and sustained strategic relationships with corporate clients, ensuring long-term partnerships.
Conducted market trend analysis to identify and leverage emerging sales opportunities.
Partnered with the marketing team to boost sales through compelling storytelling initiatives.
Managed key accounts with a focus on maintaining client satisfaction and retention.
Negotiated and secured high-value contracts with top-tier clientele.
Designed and implemented effective sales training programs to enhance team performance.
Analyzed sales performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and drive operational excellence.
Collaborated with hotel management to align sales strategies with overall business objectives.
Catering Sales Manager
Taj Mahal Palace
05.2022 - 10.2023
Successfully led the catering sales team at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, exceeding revenue targets by 70% year over previous year.
Developed and implemented innovative sales strategies, resulting in a 30% increase in catering bookings and revenue.
Cultivated strong relationships with corporate clients, achieving a high client retention rate and securing repeat business.
Led the planning and execution of high-profile events, including weddings, corporate conferences, and galas, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional guest experiences.
Collaborated with the culinary team to create customized menus and unique dining experiences tailored to clients' preferences and dietary requirements.
Actively participated in industry trade shows and networking events, expanding the hotel's reach and acquiring new business opportunities.
Conducted thorough market research and competitor analysis to stay ahead of industry trends and identify emerging market segments.
Mentored and coached a team of catering sales professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and driving individual and team performance.
Played a key role in revenue optimization initiatives, analyzing pricing strategies, package offerings, and upselling opportunities.
Received recognition for outstanding sales performance and exceptional customer service, contributing to the hotel's reputation as a premier destination for catering events.
Senior Sales Manager, National Sales
Marriott Hotels
02.2022 - 04.2022
Exceeded sales targets consistently, achieving a 25% increase in revenue within the first year as Senior Sales Manager.
Developed and implemented a strategic sales plan, resulting in a 15% growth in corporate accounts and a significant expansion of the hotel's client base.
Led a high-performing sales team, providing guidance, coaching, and training to drive individual and team performance.
Collaborated with the marketing department to create compelling promotional campaigns and packages, resulting in increased bookings and revenue.
Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging trends and adapt sales strategies accordingly.
Successfully negotiated contracts and managed pricing strategies to maximize revenue and profitability.
Represented the hotel at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions, expanding the hotel's brand presence and acquiring new business opportunities.
Worked closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, events, and finance, to ensure seamless execution of client requirements and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Sales Manager, National Sales
Marriott Hotels
12.2019 - 02.2022
Develop and implement effective sales strategies.
Lead nationwide sales team members to achieve sales targets.
Establish productive and professional relationships with key personnel in assigned customer accounts.
Negotiate and close agreements with MICE customers. Manage and oversee the quarterly progress of account managers across nation.
Monitor and analyze performance metrics and suggest improvements.
Perform research and identify new potential customers and new market opportunities.
Provide timely and effective solutions aligned with clients' needs.
Liaise with Marketing and Product Development departments to ensure brand consistency. Keep abreast of new product launches and ensure sales team members are on board.
Catering Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotels
11.2015 - 03.2016
Responsible for catering marketing strategies for achieving revenue goals.
Developing positive working relationships with existing customers for repeat business.
Exploring new business opportunities with potential customers.
Performing catering price negotiations with customers based on established company guidelines.
Interacting with customers to get feedback on products and services offered.
Single handily responsible for the wedding and event management.
Responsible towards mentoring team members and training them to becoming sales resources.
Senior Sales Manager
Lebua Hotels & Resorts
08.2015 - 10.2015
Responsible for generating business single handedly from entire Eastern Region.
Developing strategies to penetrate the market and successfully selling the destinations.
Responsible for placing the product to customers and holding onto the price.
Responsible for revenue contribution i.e. MICE business, Room business, F&B business for all hotels in the chain.
Manager - Banquet Sales
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
07.2013 - 07.2015
Developing strategies to meet annual sales budgets.
Tracking daily sales and revenue generation.
Preparing periodic sales report showing sales volume and potential sales for General Manager and Director of Sales supervising all banquet colleagues who coordinate events to include scheduling date and time for events, menus, pricing, staffing, signing and the deposit.
Over-seeing the coordination, the planning and execution of all meetings, banquets and catering events.
Responsible for bookings, confirmations, billings, generating proposals and contracts.
Responsible for the team maintaining and communicating event information calendar.
Interfacing with other departments to ensure proper set up for successful coordination of events.
On first year of taking over of the assignment achieving 1.28 crore more than assigned budget.
Ahead of budget by 2 crore in the year 2014-2015.
Sales Executive
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
07.2011 - 06.2013
Continuously identifying new contacts and developing sales leads from assigned territory and industry segment.
Ensured enquiries become confirmed business.
Upsold where possible to generate the extra revenue.
Produced written quotations and confirmation.
Checking customer satisfaction and resolving any issues to ensure repeat business.
Sales Officer
Swissôtel Kolkata
12.2009 - 06.2011
Was part of the pre-opening sales and marketing team of Swissôtel Kolkata. I joined in December 2009 with the soft opening of the Hotel in July 2010.
Established an account base of more than 50 local corporates in Kolkata and 30 inbound Travel Agents in Delhi.
During pre-opening, as part of the various sales team activities, conducted a complete blitz of the Sector V Electronic City area.
Consistently achieved room and catering revenue targets.
Consistently achieved other targets such as signing rate agreements, entertainments, enrollment of bookers in the Hotel's loyalty program, competition tracking.
Education
B.Com - Sales & Marketing
South City College
Kolkata, WB
01.2009
Certificate of Higher Education - Higher Education
Pratt Memorial School
Kolkata, WB
01.2006
Skills
Sales Expertise
Relationship Building
Communication Skills
Leadership & Strategic Thinking
Customer Focus
Market Knowledge
Pre-opening
Problem Solving
Team Management
Analytical Skills
Negotiation Skills
Time Management
Flexibility
Resilience
Revenue Management
Certification
Complete Communication Skills Master Class (07/2020) Udemy
Powerful Speaking (07/2020) Udemy
Time Management & Productivity Best Practices (08/2020) Udemy
Email Etiquette: Write more effective emails at work (07/2020) Udemy
Change agility in the workplace (08/2020) Udemy
Sales & Service (10/2020) Marriott Hotels
LANGUAGES
English: First Language
English: C2 Proficient
Hindi: C2 Proficient
Bengali: C2 Proficient
German: A1 Beginner
Timeline
Director of Sales
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
01.2025 - Current
Senior Accounts Director
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
05.2024 - 12.2024
Associate Director of Sales
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
11.2023 - 04.2024
Catering Sales Manager
Taj Mahal Palace
05.2022 - 10.2023
Senior Sales Manager, National Sales
Marriott Hotels
02.2022 - 04.2022
Sales Manager, National Sales
Marriott Hotels
12.2019 - 02.2022
Catering Sales Manager
Four Seasons Hotels
11.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Sales Manager
Lebua Hotels & Resorts
08.2015 - 10.2015
Manager - Banquet Sales
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
07.2013 - 07.2015
Sales Executive
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
07.2011 - 06.2013
Sales Officer
Swissôtel Kolkata
12.2009 - 06.2011
Certificate of Higher Education - Higher Education
Head of Sales , Regional Sales , Gurgaon at The Lalit Hotels Palaces & ResortsHead of Sales , Regional Sales , Gurgaon at The Lalit Hotels Palaces & Resorts