Director of Business Development

About the Role

Hotel Royal Oak is seeking a Director of Business Development to create new sales opportunities for our independent boutique hotel in Royal Oak, Michigan. This is a revenue-producing role focused on hunting, building relationships, and closing business across corporate, group, wedding, event, and partnership segments. We provide the hotel, location, amenities, and systems—you bring the sales expertise to turn them into revenue.

This is not a maintenance role for inherited accounts or RFP responses. We want someone who proactively identifies and pursues new business opportunities in Metro Detroit.

Responsibilities

• Hunt for new business by identifying companies, organizations, planners, and decision-makers not currently using Hotel Royal Oak.
• Build prospect lists, make cold calls, send emails, attend events, and secure meetings to introduce Hotel Royal Oak to new markets.
• Develop relationships with:
  • Corporate travel managers and executive assistants
  • HR departments and office managers
  • Event and wedding planners
  • Relocation and production companies
  • Sports organizations, universities, and hospitals
  • Automotive suppliers and local businesses
  • Chambers of commerce and entertainment venues
  • Travel planners and community organizations
• Close deals by conducting property tours, building proposals, negotiating rates, and following up to secure business.
• Manage and maintain a sales pipeline using modern hospitality sales systems (Event Temple, Mews, HotelREZ, Cvent).
• Track activity, respond quickly to opportunities, and manage accounts through the sales funnel.

Requirements

• Experience selling hotels, hospitality, events, venues, or closely related products.
• Proven ability to prospect, cold call, and build relationships from scratch.
• Comfort with in-person introductions, property tours, and negotiations.
• Understanding of corporate negotiated rates, group business, and RFP conversion.
• Organizational skills to maintain a real sales pipeline and prioritize follow-ups.
• Competitive, accountable, and resourceful mindset with a focus on revenue generation.
• Familiarity with Metro Detroit or willingness to learn quickly.
• Experience with hospitality sales systems (Event Temple, Mews, HotelREZ, Cvent) is highly valuable.
• Existing network in Royal Oak, Oakland County, or Metro Detroit is a major advantage.

Benefits

Compensation

• Base Salary: $40,000–$45,000
• Commission: Uncapped progressive commission up to 15% on qualifying incremental revenue.
  • $0–$100K generated: 3% commission
  • $100K–$200K: 5% commission
  • $200K–$300K: 7% commission
  • $300K–$400K: 9% commission
  • $400K–$500K: 12% commission
  • $500K+: 15% commission (uncapped)
• Target Total Compensation: $75,000–$85,000+
• High Performer Potential: $100,000+
• Exceptional Performance: Uncapped earnings based on revenue generated.

Commission is paid on qualifying, actualized, and collected new revenue attributable to the Director of Business Development, subject to the hotel’s commission plan and profitability requirements.

Examples of total compensation at various revenue levels (with a $45,000 base):

• $300K generated: ~$60K total compensation
• $400K generated: ~$69K total compensation
• $500K generated: ~$81K total compensation
• $600K generated: ~$96K total compensation
• $700K generated: ~$111K total compensation
• $750K generated: ~$118,500 total compensation