Director of Sales

Job Description

Job Description

Who you are :

Are you a compassionate, dynamic, and results-driven Director of Sales who thrives in a high-touch, purpose-led hospitality environment? Do you believe in building meaningful relationships that drive business and leave a positive impact on the world? Seriously—leave the world better than you found it. Do you have a personal connection to the disability community or a passion for inclusion that forms the way you lead and sell? Have you been a part of an entire team that values service above all else? Do you understand how to sell and position an independent boutique hotel, and how food & beverage can elevate a guest’s full experience?

If this sounds like second nature to you, we have a career-defining opportunity : help launch and lead sales efforts for a purpose-driven boutique hotel alongside one of the most respected hotel management companies in the country. If so, read on.

Who you will be associated with :

We are Florence, SC–based Raines Hospitality, founded in 1988 as a family business. We've evolved into a fully integrated development, management, and investment company, operating and owning hotels and resorts across leading brands and independent properties. Our culture is relationship-based—with our team members, our partners, and our communities.

Our leadership team is driven yet grounded and fully invested in your growth and success. We offer comprehensive Medical / Dental / Vision coverage, 401K, generous PTO, referral bonuses, and real career advancement opportunities. Most importantly—we care about our people.

We offer comprehensive Medical / Dental / Vision benefits, 401K, a generous PTO program, an Employee Referral Bonus Program and the opportunity to join a winning culture recognized for rewarding our best with opportunities to advance their career within the company.  But maybe most important, we care for our team.

The Opportunity : The Lantern Hotel Columbia

Raines Hospitality is transforming the City of Columbia’s historic firehouse—adjacent to the Statehouse—into The Lantern Hotel Columbia Vista, a stunning, 59-room upscale boutique hotel. With a multimillion-dollar renovation, the goal is to deliver Columbia’s finest independent hotel experience.  The soul of the hotel will be its team.  Partnering with the University of South Carolina’s LIFE program and USC’s Hospitality program, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be working alongside other team members in delivering an upscale hospitality experience showcasing not only the best of Columbia, but also the best of humanity.  It is anticipated that 1 out of every 3 team members will have a “special ability”.  The objective is that guests will be inspired by The Lantern Hotel Columbia.

Our culinary anchor is Ladder 13, a high-impact, open-air restaurant and bar led by James Beard nominee (and USC alum) Chef Kevin Johnson.   The f&b programming will revolve around a best-in-class cocktail bar, Ladder 13’s small plate food, and an open-air lobby experience for receptions, wedding parties, and intimate gatherings.

What it takes :

• Proven success as a Director of Sales (or equivalent) in a boutique, lifestyle, or luxury hotel environment. Experience opening or repositioning a property is a big plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build a revenue-generating sales strategy that includes corporate, leisure, group, and local business segments.
• Experience collaborating closely with F&B and events to build hotel-wide revenue and drive total profitability.
• A natural leader who mentors others with patience, creativity, and compassion—including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• A creative thinker who sees non-traditional work structures as opportunities—not limitations—and can build schedules and sales strategies around unique team needs.
• High emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills (verbal and written), and a strong ethical compass.
• Proficiency in sales platforms, CRM, and Microsoft 365.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, or related field preferred.

What you will do :

Sales Leadership & Strategy

People & Culture

IMO, this would be the GM owning this relationship.

Administrative & Reporting

Travel :

Less than 50% travel requirement, primarily in the local market.

Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation and the ability to run off-property errands with minimal notice.

Physical :

Frequent sitting, standing, and moving about the facilities. Handling objects, products and equipment. Using keyboards and other office computer equipment. Occasionally push, pull and lift items weighing up to 50 pounds. Must communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must observe details at close range.

Other :

Must speak English fluently. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Mathematical skills include basic math, budgeting, profit / loss concepts, percentages and variances. Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are often used. Ability to effectively multi-task.

How will you know you are succeeding?

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications. The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pre-employment background check required.