Director of Business Development

Job description

About Four Seasons: Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture. At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us. About the location: Nestled on a private island in Jinji Lake, Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou emerges as a tranquil oasis embraced by lush gardens and sparkling waters. As an urban resort, it stands just steps from the city’s core—yet within its bounds lies a tranquil sanctuary, where the hustle of downtown softens into serene privacy. The Hotel features 199 guest rooms and suites complemented by 11 standalone villas, providing an idyllic sanctuary for family gatherings, romantic getaways, or business stays. About Four Seasons: Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture. At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us. About the location: Nestled on a private island in Jinji Lake, Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou emerges as a tranquil oasis embraced by lush gardens and sparkling waters. As an urban resort, it stands just steps from the city’s core—yet within its bounds lies a tranquil sanctuary, where the hustle of downtown softens into serene privacy. The Hotel features 199 guest rooms and suites complemented by 11 standalone villas, providing an idyllic sanctuary for family gatherings, romantic getaways, or business stays. What you will do: Business Development & Market Growth Develop and execute strategic business development plans aligned with the hotel’s overall commercial objectives. Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities across corporate, international inbound, luxury leisure, MICE, and emerging market segments. Build and maintain a strong pipeline of new business opportunities and strategic accounts. Proactively identify new markets, business segments, and partnership opportunities that support the hotel’s long-term growth. Develop tailored market strategies and action plans based on market intelligence, business trends, and evolving customer needs. Work closely with the Commercial Director and wider commercial team to translate opportunities into measurable revenue growth. International Inbound Development Lead initiatives to strengthen Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou’s presence in key international source markets. Develop strong relationships with luxury travel advisors, DMCs, tour operators, travel management companies, and other strategic travel partners. Collaborate with Four Seasons Global Sales Offices and sister properties to maximise cross-selling and referral opportunities. Identify opportunities across priority markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and other emerging international markets. Promote Suzhou as a compelling luxury destination and develop opportunities that connect the hotel with broader regional travel itineraries. Support the development of culturally immersive and destination-led experiences that showcase the unique heritage, lifestyle, and contemporary luxury of Suzhou. Corporate Business Development Develop and grow a portfolio of high-value corporate accounts across Suzhou, Shanghai, and the wider Yangtze River Delta. Identify and engage with key corporations, regional headquarters, multinational companies, and strategic business sectors. Build relationships with corporate travel managers, executive assistants, procurement teams, travel management companies, and key decision-makers. Prospect, negotiate, and convert new corporate partnerships that deliver sustainable business to the hotel. Identify opportunities to grow relationships beyond accommodation into meetings, events, catering, dining, and other hotel experiences. Partner closely with Revenue Management to ensure business development initiatives support both revenue growth and optimal rate strategy. Strategic Partnerships & Destination Development Build and maintain strong relationships with tourism organisations, destination partners, government stakeholders, and key industry partners. Collaborate with the Suzhou Tourism Bureau and relevant regional tourism organisations to support the development and promotion of Suzhou as a leading luxury destination. Identify opportunities to collaborate with luxury brands, cultural institutions, lifestyle partners, golf clubs, airlines, travel platforms, and other strategic organisations. Develop innovative partnerships and experiences that strengthen the hotel’s connection to the local community and the broader destination. Support initiatives that position Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou as an integral part of Suzhou’s luxury tourism and lifestyle ecosystem. New Business & Emerging Opportunities Explore and develop new business opportunities across high-potential and niche segments. Identify opportunities in areas such as destination MICE, incentive travel, luxury cultural tourism, golf travel, high-end lifestyle travel, and other emerging segments. Develop creative business solutions and partnerships that differentiate Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou within the luxury hospitality market. Stay informed of market developments, consumer trends, competitor activity, and changes in travel behaviour to identify new opportunities. Represent the hotel at key industry events, trade shows, sales missions, and networking opportunities domestically and internationally. Commercial Collaboration Work closely with the Commercial Director, Sales, Revenue Management, Marketing, Communications, Reservations, and Operations teams to ensure an integrated commercial approach. Participate actively in commercial strategy meetings and contribute market intelligence and business development insights. Collaborate with the wider Four Seasons network to leverage global relationships, resources, and opportunities. Maintain accurate account and opportunity information within the hotel’s CRM and relevant systems. Monitor business development performance and provide regular updates on pipeline, conversion, and production. Leadership & Team Development Lead by example in proactive business development, relationship building, and client engagement. Collaborate with and support the wider Sales team to foster a culture of proactive prospecting and new business generation. Share market intelligence, industry knowledge, and commercial insights across the wider team. Support the development of a high-performance, collaborative, and commercially focused culture. What you bring: Proven experience in business development, sales, commercial strategy, or a related role within luxury hospitality or a relevant industry. A strong track record of developing new business and building strategic relationships. Experience in international inbound, corporate business development, luxury travel, or destination-related business is highly desirable. Strong knowledge of the China luxury hospitality and travel landscape. An established network across corporate, luxury travel, tourism, or relevant business sectors is advantageous. Strong commercial acumen and an understanding of the luxury hospitality industry. Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills. The ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and business partners. A proactive, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented mindset. Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to execute and deliver measurable results. Fluent Mandarin and English communication skills. What we offer: Competitive Salary, wages, and a comprehensive benefits package Excellent Training and Development opportunities Complimentary Accommodation at other Four Seasons Hotels and Resort Complimentary Dry Cleaning for Employee Uniforms Complimentary Employee Meals An opportunity to build a life-long career with global potential and a real sense of pride in work well done Schedule & Hours: This is a full time position Usual administrative shifts but may vary upon operation needs /VE