Director Pre-Opening Sales

About the role

The Director – Pre‑Opening Sales will lead the commercial sales strategy for all new properties within The Leela's development pipeline, ensuring sales readiness from project planning through opening and stabilization. Working closely with Sales, Operations, Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Brand teams, and hotel leadership, the incumbent will ensure every new property enters the market with a strong commercial foundation and a clear route‑to‑market strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive pre‑opening sales strategies for new properties.
• Define target markets, customer segments, sales objectives and account acquisition plans.
• Create pre‑opening sales calendars and activation milestones aligned with opening timelines.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis for each destination and assess market opportunities and demand.
• Identify key business generators across Corporate, MICE, Leisure, Travel Trade and Weddings segments.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of corporate, leisure, MICE, travel‑trade and national accounts.
• Establish relationships with key decision‑makers, agencies, travel partners and business stakeholders.
• Drive account contracting and onboarding before property opening.
• Leverage The Leela's existing account network to generate business opportunities and collaborate with Corporate Sales teams for cross‑selling.
• Develop strategies for MICE, groups, weddings, celebrations and luxury leisure segments and build partnerships with relevant partners.

Required profile

• Reports to the AVP & Vice President – Sales.
• Based at The Leela Corporate Office, Mumbai.

Required skills