MICE & Groups Sales Manager (French & German Speaking) H/F/X in Montreux

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva and facing the magnificent views of the Alps, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace hotel is a distinguished property, a member of the Accor group, the Fairmont brand, and affiliated with Swiss Deluxe Hotels. Boasting an incomparable worldwide reputation, characterized by 236 luxurious rooms and suites and a highly refined gastronomic experience, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace hotel is truly an enchanting place.

We are seeking a dynamic and commercially driven MICE & Groups Sales Manager to join our team at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, one of Switzerland’s most iconic landmark hotels nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva.

In this role, you will be the primary ambassador for our MICE and group offering across the Swiss domestic market with a strong focus on German-speaking Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Your deep knowledge of our meeting, incentive, conference, and events facilities, combined with your commercial instincts and relationship expertise, will allow you to build a thriving pipeline of group and event business.

What you will drive:

• Proactively develop and grow MICE and groups business from the Swiss domestic market and German-speaking source markets (DACH region).
• Position Fairmont Le Montreux Palace as the premier destination for corporate meetings, incentive programmes, conferences, and social events in Switzerland.
• Contribute directly to group revenue growth through strategic account development, lead generation, and market penetration.

Summary Of Responsibilities:

• Consistently offer professional, friendly, and engaging service to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively prospect, qualify, and develop new MICE and group accounts within the Swiss domestic market, with primary focus on German-speaking Switzerland (Zürich, Bern, Basel, Luzern), Germany, and Austria.
• Manage and develop a portfolio of key accounts including corporate clients, event agencies, professional conference organizers (PCOs), association planners, and incentive houses.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities across the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) segment, as well as social groups and leisure group programmes.
• Establish parameters, negotiate pricing, and confirm group business through written contracts in line with hotel policies.
• Plan and execute targeted sales trips, roadshows, and client entertainment activities within key feeder markets.
• Attend relevant tradeshows, industry events, and networking forums to increase the hotel’s visibility within the German-speaking MICE community.
• Conduct regular site inspections and familiarization trips for key accounts and prospects, ensuring a compelling and tailored hotel presentation.

Revenue Management & Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Drive and ensure the achievement of group and MICE sales objectives on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Collaborate closely with the Revenue Management and Events teams to ensure rate integrity, market positioning, and seamless handover of confirmed group business.
• Work in partnership with the Events Management team to guarantee the smooth execution and delivery of confirmed group programs.
• Monitor group pace, conversion rates, and lead volumes, adjusting prospecting and sales strategies accordingly.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual sales reports as required by the Area Director of Sales & Marketing.

Account Management & CRM:

• Maintain a high level of exposure for the hotel within the German-speaking MICE and corporate markets.
• Nurture and maintain key accounts, contacts, activity logs, and business details within the hotel’s CRM systems.
• Respond to all business leads and RFPs within a 24-hour timeline, ensuring proposals are tailored, compelling, and reflective of the Fairmont brand.
• Conduct regular competitor surveys and recommend proactive strategies based on market intelligence and demand trends.
• Follow all departmental policies, procedures, and LQA standards.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of proven sales experience within luxury hospitality, MICE, or the events industry in Switzerland or the DACH region.
• Demonstrated track record in developing new accounts, generating group revenue, and managing a client portfolio in a competitive luxury market.
• Strong existing network within the Swiss corporate and MICE landscape is a distinct advantage.
• Native or near-native fluency in German and Swiss German; professional fluency in English required; French is a significant asset.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Strong commercial mindset with a data-driven, revenue-focused approach to sales.
• University or College degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); experience with Opera, Delphi FDC, or equivalent hospitality CRM systems is an asset.
• Willingness to travel regularly within Switzerland and the DACH region for client development and trade events.
• Highly responsible, reliable, and capable of working autonomously within a high-performance commercial team.

Fairmont ist verpflichtet, ein integratives Umfeld zu schaffen, in dem vielfältige Talente gedeihen. Wir begrüßen Kandidaten aus allen Hintergründen, um unserem Team beizutreten.