James Bailey

Dynamic and commercially driven Sales and Marketing Manager with 4 years' sales experience, including hotel sales management across corporate, leisure, group, meetings and events. Proven track record of developing and executing proactive sales strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth, stronger business mix and increased market share, including contributing to £3.37m in room revenue and £166k incremental YoY revenue at Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham. Expertise in strategic sales planning, performance analysis, account development, commercial negotiation, CRM management and revenue-focused decision-making.

Experienced in managing key corporate and leisure relationships, identifying new business opportunities, maintaining sales pipelines and working collaboratively with General Managers, Revenue and Marketing teams to maximise commercial performance. Confident relationship builder and communicator with experience presenting commercial insights, networking with key stakeholders and developing customer-focused propositions. Proficient in Opera, OnQ, Cognos, Juyo, Salesforce and CRM systems, with a strong analytical approach to forecasting, pricing, business mix and account performance.

A collaborative and adaptable sales leader committed to developing people, strengthening client partnerships and delivering sustainable revenue growth. Looking for the right opportunity and to relocate back to Cambridge with Family.

Sales and Marketing Manager at Holiday Inn Express Town Centre (2025-10 – Present)

Lead the hotel's sales and marketing strategy across corporate, leisure, group, meetings and events segments, working closely with the General Manager and central commercial team to deliver revenue objectives.

• Delivered £3.37m in room revenue, representing 5.2% year-on-year growth, with both room-night volume and ADR contributing to performance.
• Drove significant growth across priority segments, including Corporate revenue +18.9% (£116k), Leisure Group +35.4% (£85k) and Business Group +20.9% (£49k).
• Generated £166k additional room revenue YoY, with room nights increasing by 797 (+2.4%) and ADR increasing by £2.62.
• Increased Corporate room nights by 638 while simultaneously improving Corporate ADR by approximately 9.5%, demonstrating effective account development and rate management.
• Enhanced hotel's commercial mix by decreasing reliance on OTA business and increasing higher-value corporate and group segments.
• Managed and developed productive relationships with corporate clients, travel agents, local businesses, event organisers and strategic partners to generate new and repeat business.
• Manage the end-to-end group booking process, including contracting, onboarding leisure and business groups, system loading, rooming lists, invoicing and billing, ensuring accurate and seamless delivery from booking through to arrival.
• Secured new business opportunities through proactive sales activity, networking, local market engagement, partnerships, and account development.
• Coordinated all group enquiries from initial qualification to operational handover, ensuring seamless client experience and contract management.
• Produced and analyzed sales and performance reports, using commercial data to identify trends, evaluate performance and support decision-making.
• Maintain and develop the hotel's sales pipeline and future business-on-books, with £1.28m of future revenue and 14,131 room nights confirmed across future stay dates at the August 2026 Commercial review.
• Developed forward business for 2027, with approximately £718k revenue across 7,969 room nights already on the books in leisure group segments.
• Monitored competitor activity, market trends, booking patterns and hotel performance to identify opportunities and inform commercial OTA strategy.
• Represent the hotel at local business networking, industry and community events, strengthening the hotel's profile and generating new commercial relationships.
• Work collaboratively with hotel operations and marketing teams to ensure sales activity, promotional campaigns and guest delivery are aligned.

Business Engagement Manager at Cheltenham BID (2025-03 – 2025-07)

Cheltenham BID is a business-led, not-for-profit organisation supporting over 700 businesses to increase footfall, improve the trading environment, and strengthen the town's commercial appeal.

• Built and maintained strong relationships with a portfolio of 700+ businesses, acting as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to help them achieve their objectives.
• Consulted with business owners to understand priorities and challenges, providing tailored support and solutions to drive engagement and measurable value.
• Represented the interests of businesses in discussions with local authorities and stakeholders, ensuring customer needs influenced wider strategic initiatives.
• Organised and delivered engagement events and campaigns that increased participation, collaboration, and ROI for local businesses.
• Collaborated with Marketing and Events teams to design and promote initiatives that increased visibility and trading performance.
• Produced targeted email campaigns and updates that enhanced customer awareness and advocacy.
• Led redevelopment of CRM system to enhance transparency and reporting, facilitating accurate account management and insight-led decision-making.

Sales Manager at Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel and Golf Club (2024-08 – 2025-03)

Drove revenue growth across corporate, meetings and events, and leisure segments in a fixed-term role, while maintaining and developing key customer relationships.

• Managed a portfolio of high-value corporate and national accounts, building strong relationships with decision-makers to secure repeat business and long-term partnerships.
• Developed and executed customer-focused sales and marketing plans, achieving KPI targets and increasing market share within core segments.
• Collaborated with senior leadership, revenue, and marketing teams to align customer solutions with commercial strategy, delivering measurable ROI.
• Analysed competitor activity and market data to identify opportunities, shaping tailored propositions and value-based solutions for target accounts.
• Produced sales performance reports and presented insights to senior stakeholders, enabling data-led decision-making.
• Organised customer engagement events (FAM trips, appreciation evenings, networking sessions) to enhance brand visibility and strengthen key relationships.
• Created and refreshed sales collateral and value proposition packs, improving customer engagement and conversion rates.
• Partnered with Hilton Brand Account Directors/Managers to maximise revenue from global key accounts.
• Proactively prospecting and closing new business, expanding the hotel's customer base across multiple market segments.

Growth Manager at Fueld Marketing Agency (2024-02 – 2024-04)

• Created and executed strategies to increase agency revenue, expand client base, and grow market share.
• Managed a portfolio of new and existing clients, acting as the key relationship owner to ensure satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth.
• Consistently exceeded revenue and KPI targets by developing customer-focused strategies and value-based solutions aligned with client objectives.
• Drove growth through new business acquisition and strategic account management, developing tailored marketing solutions that resulted in increased client satisfaction and loyalty.
• Conducted detailed needs assessments with clients, identifying opportunities to upsell and cross-sell additional marketing services that enhanced ROI.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to design bespoke campaigns, packages, and sales aids (including digital events, video, and content) that supported client engagement and performance.
• Leveraged market insights and competitor analysis to provide strategic recommendations that enhanced agency credibility and established trust with clients.
• Produced account documentation and maintained CRM records to ensure full transparency, accurate reporting, and consistent pipeline management.

Business Relationship Manager at Kidwells Marketing Solutions (2023-02 – 2024-02)

• Managed a portfolio of new and existing clients, acting as the key relationship owner to ensure satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth.
• Consistently exceeded revenue and KPI targets by developing customer-focused strategies and value-based solutions aligned with client objectives.
• Drove growth through new business acquisition and strategic account management, developing tailored marketing solutions that resulted in increased client satisfaction and loyalty.
• Conducted detailed needs assessments with clients, identifying opportunities to upsell and cross-sell additional marketing services that enhanced ROI.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to design bespoke campaigns, packages, and sales aids (including digital events, video, and content) that supported client engagement and performance.
• Leveraged market insights and competitor analysis to provide strategic recommendations that enhanced agency credibility and established trust with clients.
• Produced account documentation and maintained CRM records to ensure full transparency, accurate reporting, and consistent pipeline management.
• Received recognition as the agency's top BDM, showcasing strong customer advocacy, pipeline management, and revenue generation.
• Organised and led networking initiatives, representing the agency at industry events and acting as lead ambassador for Cheltenham Latte, facilitating business engagement for 35+ organisations.

Associate Recruitment Consultant at Hays (2022-01 – 2023-02)

Transitioned quickly and successfully into the recruitment sector, quickly establishing myself as a high performer by generating over £100K in revenue within my first year. Oversaw end-to-end recruitment processes, fostering long-term client partnerships and delivering tailored, value-based solutions.

• Consistently achieved and exceeded revenue targets by developing consultative sales approaches that aligned with client needs and objectives.
• Proactively won new business through prospecting, networking, and tailored pitches, expanding the client base and increasing revenue streams.
• Managed the full recruitment cycle — from candidate sourcing and screening through to successful placement — ensuring high levels of satisfaction for both clients and candidates.
• Cultivated strong relationships with clients, pitching tailored services and recruitment strategies to C-suite stakeholders and senior decision-makers to drive engagement and loyalty.
• Advised clients on hiring trends, workforce planning, and competitor activity using market insights, reinforcing Hays' position as a trusted recruitment partner.
• Created and maintained clear documentation and CRM records, ensuring transparent tracking of client interactions and enhancing communication efficiency.
• Volunteered to lead internal performance initiatives, planning activity days to boost team motivation, collaboration, and conversion rates.

PE Teacher at Sawston Village College (2018-09 – 2021-12)

PE Teacher at Bishop Walsh School (2017-09 – 2018-07)

PGCE in Physical Education – University of Exeter (2016-01 – 2016-01)

BA in Exercise and Physical Activity – University of Durham (2015-01 – 2015-01)