The Role

In the role of Business Development Manager, you will seek out new clients and revenue streams for our hotels in the Antwerp region. You will play a key role in fostering lasting relationships with existing customers and attracting new business opportunities. With a good understanding of business objectives, you will focus on developing, executing and implementing growth strategies that strengthen our market position. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for proactively executing the commercial action plan and building the commercial network for the benefit of our hotel. You know how to get down to business and put the emphasis on practical implementation.

Our hotels in the Antwerp region:

• Hotel Indigo Antwerp – City Centre:

  a trendy boutique hotel, with the luxury of a four-star hotel. Hotel Indigo is located on Astridplein in Antwerp, just near the Central Station. The hotel has 81 rooms and one suite which, as well as the lobby and other areas, are creatively decorated with inspiration from the city of Antwerp. Sparkling yet soothing colours and oak accents are used throughout the hotel’s interior. There are plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues around the hotel. The hotel is located within walking distance of the main shopping streets and sights. For example, you have the Meir and Museum Plantin-Moretus. The creative and artistic location was carefully chosen, it reflects the hotel perfectly.

• Holiday Inn Express ® Antwerp – City Centre

  is located on Frankrijklei opposite Opera Square. Central Station is just a 5-minute walk away. Via the Italiëlei, it takes 15 minutes to reach the port of Antwerp, home to numerous local and international companies. The site of the University of Antwerp and the Flanders Meeting and Convention centre are nearby, making this hotel a perfect base for both business and tourist groups. The hotel offers 102 rooms equipped with one double bed or two single beds. Connecting rooms are also available. All guests always enjoy an Express Start breakfast buffet included in the price. Relax after the working day or shopping day with a drink and snack in the lobby bar. 

• PREMIER SUITES Antwerp

  is located in the heart of Antwerp, near the Diamond Quarter, just a 3-minute walk from Central Station. 110 luxurious studios and flats, equipped with a private kitchen and with extra space to enjoy extra comfort. Our furnished studios and flats are ideal for both short and longer stays with the services of a hotel and the comforts of home. A free gym and laundry room are at your disposal. At the 7th Heaven Food Café, guests enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner or an after-work drink.

The 3 hotels are part of a larger company called PREM Hospitality, a management company specialising in hotels. PREM Hospitality is of Irish origin and has grown significantly across Europe in recent years. PREM Hospitality Continental Europe is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. PREM Hospitality has developed a collection of different hotels and serviced flats in more than 20 different locations.

General objective

Selling and promoting the services of hotels in the Antwerp region to new and existing customers.

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for expanding our customer base, identifying new business opportunities within defined target groups. Target groups include business contacts to accommodate both individual overnight stays, group stays and longer-term projects.

You will be responsible for taking care of and handling the enquiries, advising potential customers on the options and costs, preparing the quotation and follow up.

You keep a close eye on trends and developments in the market in order to identify and respond to new opportunities.

Key responsibilities

General

• Enthusiastically sell and promote the hotels and ancillary services;

• Clearly translate guests’ and customers’ expectations into the hotels’ operational services so that customers’ expectations are exceeded

• Know the hotel offering as a whole, both own hotel and hotels within the management group PREM Hospitality with a view to cross-selling;

• Understand, analyse and actively respond to the competitive landscape and market trends;

• Manage the full sales cycle, from lead generation to contract negotiation and closing;

• Execute requests made by management.

Target new business

• Identify and approach new customers and partners to strengthen the hotels’ market position;

• Drafting strategies to approach new markets and new segments;

• Using mailing lists or other prospecting lists;

• Build network through corporate social media;

• Tapping new businesses on different segments/industries;

• Tapping into new regions where potential business can be extracted;

• Handle new enquiries in a professional and efficient and manner within the agreed deadline;

• Provide presentations and tours to new potential customers with the necessary follow-up.
  Achieve the objectives set by the managers.

Maintain existing business

• Maintain good relations with the various stakeholders by maintaining regular contact with both bookers and guests staying at the hotels, both physically and via telephone/virtually, with a view to generating recurring business and long-term customer loyalty;
• Evaluate business generated and conduct contract renewals and negotiations;
• Always keeping the customer database up-to-date.

Communication & Team work

• Collaborate with internal teams to support overall business objectives;

• Report performance and track activities in CRM system;

• Provide a weekly progress report to Head of Sales;

• Assist with business events;

• Attend trade shows;

• Attend networking meetings;

• Lead by example, specifically with regard to personal presentation, punctuality and punctuality, attendance, dedication to the job, teamwork and guest satisfaction.