Director of Sales, EMEA — DACH Focus

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) and ByDistinction have joined forces in the DACH region, and we are looking for an exceptional talent to help us shape what comes next.
 This partnership marks a strategic step in further strengthening and internationally positioning SLH across the DACH market. We need the right person to lead that charge.

Full time permanent
Home-office based in a major German city 

The Role

SLH is seeking a highly motivated Director of Sales to join our global sales team, with a primary focus on Germany, Switzerland and Austria and the possibility of extending into other territories in Europe.
Celebrating 35 years in the industry, SLH continues to thrive as a dynamic and growing brand with a strong and respected position in the global luxury travel market. This role sits at the heart of our commercial ambitions in the DACH region, requiring a deep understanding of both the luxury leisure (90%) and corporate travel segments (10%) and the drive to grow it further.

Start date: as soon as possible.

Overview & Responsibilities

Working as an integral part of the SLH global sales team, the Director of Sales will:
• Formulate and execute regional business plans and sales strategies to drive revenue for SLH member hotels across DACH, through all key SLH distribution channels including the Travel Trade Hub, GDS, Reservations & Customer Care Desk and sales offices.
• Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with key luxury travel trade partners; agencies, consortia, TMCs and corporate accounts, across DACH with the possibility of extending the territories. 
• Further develop SLH’s Preferred Agency Programme withIN, in close collaboration with the Trade Community Manager, and support growth across Virtuoso, Amex FHR and other luxury leisure consortia, lodging- and agency programmes. 
• Manage the centralised Corporate RFP programme in partnership with the Sr. Director of Corporate Sales, Worldwide (New York), using Cvent and aligned tools, ensuring coordinated global account coverage.
• Organise and execute SLH roadshows, showcases, trade shows and client events across DACH and beyond, in collaboration with the Events Manager Worldwide.
• Monitor competitive activity, gather market intelligence and initiate proactive strategies to maintain a leading market position.
• Champion the SLH brand, culture and values in all internal and external interactions, consistently working towards agreed sales goals and KPIs.

Reporting Lines

• Reports to the Vice President of Sales, EMEA (London), with a dotted line to the Sr. Director of Corporate Sales, Worldwide (New York) for corporate accounts.
• Works closely with all members of the SLH Global Sales Team.
• Carries an operational matrix reporting line to Geraldine Gomboshaw, ByDistinction AG.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum five years of hotel sales experience at property or regional level, across leisure and corporate sectors.
• An established network within the DACH luxury travel industry, with strong relationships across agencies, consortia and corporate accounts.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and communication skills in both German and English; additional languages (French, Spanish or Italian) an advantage.
• Proficient in Cvent and Microsoft 365; experience with Salesforce and Sabre/SynXis preferred.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented and confident working independently from a home office.
• Willing and able to travel internationally, including occasional weekends.
• Class B Driving Licence.