Dunluce Lodge, Portrush
Dunluce Lodge is looking for a Director of Sales & Marketing to lead UK and Ireland commercial activity for one of Northern Ireland's only five-star hotels. You'll take ownership of the hotel's sales and marketing plan, driving strategies that grow the luxury leisure, corporate, groups and social events segments — while working alongside colleagues focused on international and inbound business to keep the whole commercial picture aligned.
Day to day, that means staying close to the competitor landscape and market rate intelligence, and using that insight to identify new business and grow existing accounts. You'll be the driving force behind promoting the hotel, The Stookan and restaurant for exclusive use, weddings, celebrations and corporate and social events across the domestic market, building relationships with corporate clients, event agencies, luxury travel advisors and destination management companies.
You'll manage the hotel's CRM, data and database processes, develop partnerships with local attractions and tourism providers, and plan the local and domestic marketing campaigns and collateral that support them.
The hotel's social media strategy, website content and third-party platform presence sit with you, as does coordinating PR activity.
Beyond the day-to-day, you'll represent Dunluce Lodge at UK and Ireland trade shows, exhibitions and networking events, and work with Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and other industry bodies to maximise domestic promotional opportunities. You'll partner closely with the General Manager on community and local business relationships, and with the Revenue Team and Valor Sales Director on aligning strategy to drive UK and Ireland revenue growth — attending Commercial Meetings, Sales Reviews and Business Reviews, and owning the actions that come out of them. You'll also support the preparation of the annual sales and marketing budget within your areas of responsibility.
Performance is monitored through the Valor Sales Metrics, with bi-annual KPIs agreed with the General Manager and Valor Sales Director.
You'll bring sales and marketing experience from a similar role, ideally within a luxury hotel, and experience selling and marketing an independent property. Familiarity with Salesforce CRM is a plus but not essential — what matters more is confidence across Microsoft Office, Teams or Zoom for virtual selling, social and digital marketing channels, and B2C/B2B email marketing systems.
This is a role for someone outgoing, motivated and creative, with strong sales, negotiation and presentation skills, and the resilience to prioritise competing deadlines under pressure. You'll be based at Dunluce, with regular travel across the UK and Island of Ireland to visit clients and attend events.
Dunluce Lodge is a new five-star luxury hotel and spa set on the edge of Royal Portrush Golf Club's fourth fairway, on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast in County Antrim. The 35-suite property — including eight suites in its private annex, The Stookan, for larger groups — offers à la carte dining, tasting menus, a wine vault and private dining spaces, alongside an intimate spa and onsite putting green. Overlooking the Atlantic and close to the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Lodge is the region's first five-star hotel.
Exclusive discounts for you, your friends and family
Valor team member rates at our UK hotels, with rooms from just £30 Bed and Breakfast
Discounted stays for friends and family
50% discount when dining in our restaurants and bars
Free meals while on duty, keeping you well-fuelled
Access to high-street discounts on a range of shops, experiences and more
Up to 40% savings on a wide range of bikes, with our Cycle to Work Scheme
Generous refer-a-friend bonuses, starting at £250
Caring for your health and wellbeing, both in and outside of work
A calendar of wellness activities — from healthy lunches to wellbeing walks and pay day treats, not forgetting our annual #HealthyHabits campaign
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, providing free confidential advice, 24/7, for you and your family, supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing
Healthcare Cash Plan options, from just £5 per month
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
