Director of Sales & Distribution - Pre-Opening Ritz Carlton Diriyah, Riyadh

Director of Sales & Distribution – Shaping the Legacy of The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah

The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah stands as a beacon of unparalleled luxury and cultural heritage, nestled within the historic heart of Diriyah—the cradle of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a groundbreaking collaboration between The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary hospitality legacy and the rich traditions of this iconic destination, the property is poised to redefine the global luxury travel landscape. This is not merely an opening; it is the dawn of a new era in Middle Eastern hospitality, and we are seeking a visionary Director of Sales & Distribution to lead its commercial transformation and secure its place among the world’s most prestigious addresses.

In this pivotal role, you will serve as the strategic architect of The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah’s commercial future, reporting directly to the General Manager and anchoring the property’s Executive Committee. This is an opportunity to shape the narrative of a landmark destination—one that will attract discerning global travellers, host extraordinary events, and cultivate enduring partnerships with the world’s most influential clientele. Your leadership will be instrumental in positioning the property as the definitive luxury experience in the Kingdom, blending exclusivity, innovation, and unmatched service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

As the senior commercial leader, your responsibilities will encompass a broad spectrum of strategic and operational functions, ensuring The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah achieves market dominance and sustained revenue growth:

• Strategic Vision & Market Leadership: Develop and execute a dynamic commercial strategy that aligns with the property’s long-term vision, driving revenue growth, market penetration, and asset valuation in both regional and international luxury markets.
• Luxury Brand Positioning: Elevate The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah’s reputation as the premier destination for high-net-worth travellers, corporate executives, diplomatic circles, and cultural connoisseurs. Craft a compelling value proposition that resonates with the most discerning segments of the luxury travel market.
• Sales & Distribution Excellence: Oversee all sales and distribution initiatives, optimizing performance across global channels while maintaining alignment with the brand’s unwavering standards of exclusivity and prestige.
• Market Intelligence & Innovation: Leverage data-driven insights to identify emerging trends, luxury travel demand patterns, and untapped business opportunities. Proactively adapt strategies to outpace competitors and capitalize on evolving market dynamics.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Development: Cultivate and nurture strategic relationships with ownership stakeholders, high-profile corporate clients, luxury travel advisors, global consortiums, and international partners. Act as the face of The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah in high-stakes negotiations and collaborations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Revenue Management, Marketing, and Operations teams to harmonize efforts, preserve brand integrity, and deliver seamless, world-class guest experiences that exceed expectations.
• Team Leadership & Culture Building: Inspire and mentor a high-performing commercial team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Empower your team to embody The Ritz-Carlton’s core values of personalization, integrity, and service superiority.
• Brand Integrity & Guest Experience: Ensure all commercial initiatives reflect the brand’s commitment to authenticity, cultural respect, and transformative guest experiences—delivering moments of unparalleled luxury and memorability.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a distinguished commercial leader—one who combines strategic acumen with an innate understanding of the luxury hospitality landscape. The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven Leadership in Luxury Hospitality: Extensive experience leading sales and commercial functions within globally recognized luxury hotel brands, with a track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion.
• Expertise in Luxury Travel Distribution: A deep understanding of global distribution channels, high-value account management, and premium customer acquisition strategies tailored to the luxury segment.
• Business Vision & Execution: Exceptional business acumen with the ability to translate complex market intelligence into actionable, revenue-generating strategies. A results-driven mindset with a proven history of delivering measurable impact.
• Strategic Networking & Influence: A robust professional network within the luxury travel industry, coupled with the ability to forge meaningful partnerships with key stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers.
• Leadership & Cultural Alignment: An engaging and empowering leadership style that aligns with The Ritz-Carlton’s values of excellence, innovation, and service leadership. The ability to mentor and develop high-potential teams in a fast-paced, pre-opening environment.
• Cultural Sensitivity & Global Perspective: A keen awareness of cultural nuances, particularly within the Middle Eastern context, and the ability to navigate diverse markets with finesse and respect.

This is more than a job—it is an invitation to be part of a revolutionary journey. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for luxury hospitality and a vision for shaping the future of global travel, we invite you to join us in crafting the legacy of The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah.