Claire Mitchell
Dar es Salaam
Summary
My business character highlights a competitive edge, assertive positioning and a determined streak to reach my goals & objectives.
I display new and creative ways of reaching my personal goals and work objectives.
I have a genuine concern for the well-being of my Team and drive myself to be an Inspirational Leader, motivating and guiding each individual to better themselves daily and deliver concrete results.
These characteristics lead to me being nominated into the INSPIRIT: Female Leadership Mentor Program with Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Currently I am a Mentor with the African Woman in Hospitality & Tourism.
I have been privileged to work for the biggest Hospitality Management Companies in the World.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Business Development
Johari Rotana
Dar es Salaam
05.2023 - 08.2024
- Executed Commercial Strategy by identifying market opportunities in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue to meet the Hotel's Key Performance Objectives.
- Effectively communicated with stakeholders through monthly review meetings, providing detailed analysis of hotel performance in relation to budget and market trends.
- Developed a comprehensive Account Management Plan to effectively monitor and measure business relationships in line with targets and objectives for the Year.
- Implemented customized Sales Strategies that maintained rate Parity across multiple Online and Direct Segments.
- Enhanced revenue streams and improved the Hotel's market image by presenting thorough market research to multiple departments in order to suggest effective strategies.
- Guided and managed a diverse group of 12 individuals through effective leadership.
- Organized trade shows, conferences, seminars, webinars. to promote products and services.
- Assisted in developing budgets for marketing initiatives and tracking expenses related to them.
- Developed strong internal relationships across departments in order to effectively manage projects from conception through completion stages.
- Executed marketing campaigns to create brand awareness and drive customer acquisition strategies.
Director of Sales: South Africa
Hyatt Hotels
11.2019 - 03.2023
- Responsible for driving the commercial strategy for the entire portfolio of Hyatt hotels in South Africa.
- Achieved outstanding results in managing and overseeing the Corporate Market, Wholesale Market, Government and Groups Department.
- Facilitated monthly financial reviews with stakeholders.
- Nominated into the 2022 INSPIRIT: Females in Leadership Mentoring Program
- Implemented strategies to efficiently and effectively attain budgeted revenues across various streams.
- Implemented a systematic review process for budgeting expenses in collaboration with the Executive Office.
- Collaborated with sales personnel, digital marketing manager, revenue analyst, and external PR company (if applicable) to efficiently allocate funds and drive optimal results.
- Developing a comprehensive Marketing plan aligned with defined objectives, strategies, and actions to meet or exceed financial goals stated in the Annual Business Plan.
- Reviewed planned expenditures with General Manager on a monthly basis for the following month
- To maintain complete and supported records of all sales agreements for the hotel as per Hyatt International Policies & Procedures
- Developed and implemented individual sales targets through personalized business plans for the entire sales team. Monitored and evaluated monthly production performance of each team member based on their assigned accounts.
- Assisted in developing long-term strategic objectives for the organization's overall success.
- To conduct extensive competitor research and maintain excellent Product Knowledge of the Hotel and competition set
- To constantly monitor and evaluate local, national and international market trends, and the competitor hotels’ sales initiatives, in order to make sure the hotel’s sales remain competitive and cutting edge
- To ensure a high level of exposure for Hotel through direct sales solicitation per week (minimum sales calls), client entertainments per week and active engagement to ensure productive results
- Drafted creative marketing materials such as brochures, flyers and presentations.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in products and services.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to maximize revenue growth.
- Utilized CRM systems to track leads, manage accounts and monitor competitor activity.
Director of Sales & Marketing
Melia International
Arusha
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Pre-Opening Leadership Committee of the opening of the first Gran Melia Hotel in Africa and the 10th in the World
- Implemented strategic initiatives for international and regional markets
- Implemented the Reservations Department, Groups Department and trained the Marketing Department in best practices
- Participated in International Tradeshows and Quarterly Reviews, collaborating with the Melia International Commercial Teams in Spain
- Coordinated with other departments such as finance or operations regarding project timelines or budget allocations.
- Provided ongoing training and mentorship for sales personnel.
- Developed and implemented sales and marketing plans to maximize profitability.
- Conducted market research to assess the effectiveness of existing products and services.
- Negotiated contracts with customers while protecting company interests.
- Monitored competitor activities and created strategies accordingly.
Pre-Opening Director of Sales & Marketing
Hyatt Regency Arusha
Arusha
07.2018 - 10.2018
- 4 Months into the Pre-Opening Stages, the Owner of the Property chose to rebrand the Hotel from a Hyatt Hotel to a Melia Hotel.
- I was transferred with this change to Melia International as the Pre-Opening Director of Sales & Marketing
Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing
Radisson Hotel Group
Sandton
03.2017 - 06.2018
- Lead a Team of 10 Sales & Marketing professionals
- Under the guidance of Volkan Vural, General Manager; the Radisson Blu Sandton was recognized in 2017 for the following accolades: Highest Average Daily Rate, Highest Meetings & Events Revenue, Highest Food & Beverage Profit, Highest GOP ratio, Highest EBITDA Ratio
- Awards - 2017 World Luxury Hotels Award: Luxury City Hotel on African Continent
Cluster Sales Manager
Tsogo Sun Hotels
Sandton
07.2014 - 02.2017
- Lead the Sales & Marketing Team of the three Hotels in creating a centralized Sales, Revenue and Reservations Department
- In 2016, we re-opened the Sandton Sun Hotel after a 9-month extensive refurbishment project
- Key Objectives included repositioning the Hotel to a Five Star Deluxe product while increasing market share, identifying new Market Segments that would allow higher ADR opportunities
- Drove the Commercial Strategy aligning the Sandton Convention Centre and surrounding Tsogo Sun Hotels
- The strategy included market penetration through strategic partnerships at SSC level and Digital Marketing initiatives
- Aligning 1002 Room Inventory in the Sandton Node to maximize on market share and the current travel demand in the node
- Responsibilities: Sandton Sun, InterContinental Sandton Towers and Garden Court Sandton City and the accommodation element at Sandton Convention Centre
Cluster Sales Manager
Extrabold Hotel Management
08.2013 - 06.2014
Cluster Sales Executive
Protea Hotels
08.2011 - 08.2013
Key Account Manager
Sun International
09.2008 - 07.2011
Skills
- Sales leadership and training
- Channel Development
- Organizational Development
- Key Account Management
- Partnership Development
- Performance Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Innovation management
- Corporate Communications
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 02/02/83
References
References are available on Request or via the Linkedin Platform Claire Mitchell | LinkedIn
Languages
English
First Language
Afrikaans
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Affiliations
- African Woman in Hospitality & Tourism: Mentor in the 'Lean on Me' Program
- Part-time consultant for two start up ventures
- Scuba Diver
- Explorer
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Business Development
Johari Rotana
05.2023 - 08.2024
Director of Sales: South Africa
Hyatt Hotels
11.2019 - 03.2023
Director of Sales & Marketing
Melia International
10.2018 - 10.2019
Pre-Opening Director of Sales & Marketing
Hyatt Regency Arusha
07.2018 - 10.2018
Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing
Radisson Hotel Group
03.2017 - 06.2018
Cluster Sales Manager
Tsogo Sun Hotels
07.2014 - 02.2017
Cluster Sales Manager
Extrabold Hotel Management
08.2013 - 06.2014
Cluster Sales Executive
Protea Hotels
08.2011 - 08.2013
Key Account Manager
Sun International
09.2008 - 07.2011
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