Director of Leisure Sales

About The Leela

The story of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts began when its founder Late Capt. CP Krishnan Nair opened The Leela Mumbai in 1986. For over three decades, The Leela has been on a journey to delight guests by providing unparalleled luxury in captivating environs ensconced in the lap of nature, wrapped in the graciousness of Indian hospitality.

Headquartered in Mumbai, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is owned by a Brookfield Asset Management- sponsored private real estate fund and operates thirteen award-winning properties in major cities and leisure destinations across India. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Kovalam, and Ashtamudi. The brand is also delighted to announce the upcoming opening of its latest property in Hyderabad. The Leela has a strong pipeline of future projects. The brand celebrates each hotel through its unique location, art, culture, and cuisine with thoughtful services, celebratory rituals, and immersive experiences. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was voted the World's Best Hotel Brand twice in a row by Travel + Leisure, USA, World's Best Awards Survey, 2020 and 2021. In 2024, the brand has once again featured in the top 3 World's Best Hotel Brands, after the recognition in 2023. An epitome of true Indian luxury hospitality, The Leela is committed to providing guests with unforgettable stays in settings that capture the essence of India. The brand has a marketing alliance with US- based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

Why join The Leela

• Award-Winning Brand: Join a brand that has been recognized as one of the World's Best Hotel Brands for two consecutive years.
• Commitment to Excellence: Be part of a team that is dedicated to providing the highest standards of service and hospitality.
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that encourages creativity and innovation, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of luxury hospitality.
• Career Growth: Benefit from our strong pipeline of future projects and opportunities for career advancement within The Leela and our global alliances.
• Cultural Experiences: Engage with the rich cultural tapestry of India, bringing unique and authentic experiences to our discerning guests.

About the Role:

The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Director of Sales – Domestic Leisure to drive revenue growth across our portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in India. This role will be responsible for developing and executing the domestic leisure sales strategy while strengthening B2B relationships with key travel partners, luxury travel advisors, and high-value distribution channels.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned luxury hospitality sales professional with a strong network within the Indian travel trade and a proven ability to deliver premium leisure business.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the domestic leisure sales strategy across The Leela portfolio.
• Drive revenue growth through key travel partners, luxury travel agencies, tour operators, and destination management companies.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with top-performing B2B travel partners across India.
• Identify new business opportunities and expand market share in the luxury leisure segment.
• Collaborate closely with hotel sales teams to maximize conversion, market penetration, and account development.
• Lead commercial negotiations, contracting, and annual business planning with key accounts.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Represent The Leela at trade shows, roadshows, networking events, and industry forums.
• Work closely with Marketing, Revenue Management, and Distribution teams to develop impactful sales campaigns and partner initiatives.
• Monitor sales performance, prepare business reviews, and ensure achievement of revenue and production targets

Desired Profile

• 10–15+ years of sales experience in luxury hospitality, travel, or tourism.
• Proven experience managing the domestic leisure segment within a luxury hotel brand.
• Strong network with leading luxury travel agencies, tour operators, and travel consortia across India.
• Demonstrated success in achieving ambitious revenue targets and growing market share.
• Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively across India.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with a luxury hotel chain or premium hospitality brand (10+ Years)
• Understanding of Domestic luxury consumer trends and India's high-end Domestic leisure travel market.
• Experience working across multiple hotel properties or a Regional Sales environment will be an advantage.