Expert: Steve Young - 7/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mr. Young,

My name is Chris and I am currently a student at the University of Central Florida. The other day we were given a career research assignment about jobs in the hospitality industry. I just have a few questions that would really help in my research if you have the time to answer them:

What are the typical hours of a Sales/Marketing manager? (weekly and yearly)

Typically, how many employees are supervised by a sales/marketing manager

How often is it necessary to travel for this job?

If you could please share your expertise, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Mr. Young,

-Chris James

ANSWER: What are the typical hours of a Sales/Marketing manager? (weekly and yearly)

Hours for a sales manager can range from 8a-5p Monday - Friday. to 7-6. You might have an occasional weekend, but you typically get to take a day off in the middle of the week to compensate.  It really depends on what the owners or management company asks of you.  Also, keep in mind you might be doing some client breakfast, lunch, or dinner meetings.  You might also be entertaining clients at various venues.....receptions, tradeshows, on the golf course...


Typically, how many employees are supervised by a sales/marketing manager:

Again it varies.  There are limited service hotels (Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express) where you would only supervise an administrative assistant.  On the other hand, I have worked with 700 plus room hotels where the Director of Sales Manages a group of 12 or more.

How often is it necessary to travel for this job?

It all depends on the needs of the hotel and the market you are in.  A hotel in hawaii may ask you to travel to tradeshows and visit clients 1-2 weeks a month.  In other cases, a hotel may depend on it's local business and you don't have to travel more than 5-10 miles from you hotel.

Go to www.aprinda.com and play the quick 3 minute info video.  It will answer some of your questions and give you some additional insights.   Also, try out their free demos.

www.aprinda will answer a lot of your questions and hopefully get you an A.  

Good Luck.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the responses they were EXTREMELY helpful.

I do have one more question, though.

I know for many jobs in the hospitality industry, it is necessary to work on certain Holidays. Does a Sales/Marketing manager have to work on Holidays as well?

Thanks in advance, it is really appreciated. :-)

Answer
The Director of Sales and sales Managers typically do not work on holidays.  Occassionally, you might work for a company that asks managment to come in and help out on a holiday, but that is not typical.  

For instance, I have been asked to work on New Years.  I didn't really do anything except welcome guests and enjoy a nice dinner with my associates.  

If you are serious about a job in hotel sales, you will need to start at the hotel sales manger level.  Then move up to Director of Sales, and from there you can advance to a Director of Marketing.  Nobody I know of has started at the top, but I guess you never know.....but doubtful.  Some job titles are also noted as Director of Sales and Marketing.

Start as a hotel sales manager and work your way up.  Stick with it and you will advance quickly.  I was 30 and oversaw 10 hotels as a VP of Sales.....it's a good career.  My best year as a VP of Sales I earned 200 Plus K....not bad.

I always suggest aprinda.com to individuals that want to start a job as a hotel sales manager......because I helped write it with 5 other senior hotel executives.  The course has a 99.9 success rate of helping people land their first sales manager job.

Good Luck.