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Chris James
GLEBE,Australia
Summary
Commercially driven hospitality executive with over 15 years of experience delivering revenue growth, market share gains, and commercial performance across luxury and lifestyle hotel brands including Ace Sydney, EVT, Marriott, Ovolo, and Langham. Proven success leading high-performing teams and driving strategic growth across rooms, conference and events, weddings, restaurant, and food and beverage revenue streams. Brings strong executive presence, stakeholder influence, and cross-functional leadership, with a track record of aligning Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Digital, Loyalty, and Operations to deliver sustainable, brand-led outcomes in competitive markets.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Sales & Marketing
Ace Hotel Sydney
Sydney
12.2025 - 07.2026
- Delivered $42.1M total revenue growth across Rooms, Group, Corporate, C&E and F&B, optimising segmentation mix and profitability
- Delivered 300% year-on-year wedding revenue growth, significantly expanding the hotel's position in the premium social events market
- Developed and executed proactive commercial initiatives, including targeted marketing campaigns, to drive incremental revenue and strengthen market position
- Strengthened restaurant and outlet revenue performance by identifying new demand opportunities across social dining, group bookings, and event-led occasions
- Supported premium guest experience outcomes by ensuring sales, partnerships, and activations aligned with brand standards and service delivery
- Drove team culture, coaching, and development to strengthen capability and commercial performance
Director of Sales
QT Sydney
Sydney
11.2023 - 12.2025
- Led the commercial strategy for one of EVT’s flagship lifestyle hotels, managing a $24M+ annual sales budget
- Delivered $32.1M total revenue growth across Rooms, Group, Corporate, C&E and F&B, optimising segmentation mix and profitability
- Achieved +4.1% YOY total revenue growth and +6.8% growth in double occupancy
- Transformed the entertainment and touring segment, achieving +928% YOY revenue growth and ranking #1 nationally
- Increased group revenue by 49.5%, from $589K to $1.04M, through targeted partnerships across entertainment, film, and sports
- Grew and retained key corporate, entertainment, and agency accounts, increasing share of wallet and long-term partnerships
- Collaborated closely with Marketing and Revenue to deliver campaign-led demand generation and need-period strategies
Director of Sales
Pier One Sydney Harbour
Sydney
11.2021 - 11.2023
- Delivered revenue growth from $21M to $25.1M, exceeding budget across rooms and events
- Led a $13M events budget and an additional $3M weddings segment, delivering over 125 weddings annually
- Grew entertainment and touring revenue by 228% to $1.6M, capitalising on experiential and lifestyle demand
- Increased market share by 19% and improved ADR by $44 to $347
- Partnered with Marketing, Revenue, and Distribution to optimise channel mix, pricing, and demand generation
- Led team performance through clear KPIs, coaching, and structured sales planning
General Manager Sales Australia
Ovolo Hotel Group
Sydney
07.2018 - 11.2021
- Oversaw national sales strategy across a 7-hotel portfolio, driving revenue performance and brand growth
- Led pre-opening sales strategy and stakeholder engagement for new hotel openings
- Developed national segmentation strategies aligned with lifestyle brand positioning and identity
- Partnered with executive leadership to deliver budgets, forecasts, and long-term commercial plans
- Oversaw financial performance, implementing cost-control measures and optimising budget management.
Associate Director of Sales - Corporate & Entertainment
The Langham Sydney
Sydney
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Managed key corporate accounts delivering $5.3M in individual revenue contribution
- Led global RFP strategy and negotiations across corporate volume accounts
- Drove corporate and meetings segment growth through strategic account development
Business Development Manager - Corporate & Government
Novotel Darling Harbour
Sydney
10.2014 - 08.2015
- Managed and grew corporate and government business through targeted account development
- Built strong client relationships to increase repeat business and account value
Business Development Manager MICE
Pier One Sydney Harbour
Sydney
06.2012 - 10.2014
- Developed meetings, incentives, conferences, and events business in a premium Sydney market
- Built agency and corporate relationships to grow group and event revenue
Senior Events & Marketing Manager
Arbour Hotel Group
London
12.2009 - 06.2012
- Led events and marketing activity within a hospitality environment
- Managed event delivery alongside commercial and promotional initiatives
Skills
- Sales & Marketing Leadership
- Commercial Planning & Forecasting
- Budget Ownership & P&L Management
- Conference & Events Strategy
- Wedding & Social Events Growth
- Food & Beverage Revenue Growth
- Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
- Team Leadership & Coaching
- Market Share Growth
- Pipeline Management & Performance Reporting
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Premium Guest Experience
Interests
Music production and writing, Restaurants and dining experiences, Travel
Timeline
Director of Sales & Marketing
Ace Hotel Sydney
12.2025 - 07.2026
Director of Sales
QT Sydney
11.2023 - 12.2025
Director of Sales
Pier One Sydney Harbour
11.2021 - 11.2023
General Manager Sales Australia
Ovolo Hotel Group
07.2018 - 11.2021
Associate Director of Sales - Corporate & Entertainment
The Langham Sydney
08.2015 - 07.2018
Business Development Manager - Corporate & Government
Novotel Darling Harbour
10.2014 - 08.2015
Business Development Manager MICE
Pier One Sydney Harbour
06.2012 - 10.2014
Senior Events & Marketing Manager
Arbour Hotel Group
12.2009 - 06.2012
Awards
NSW Accommodation Awards - Sales Talent of the Year NSW 2025, HM Sales Talent of the Year - Finalist 2025, The Langham Sydney - Employee of the Year 2017, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection - Marriott Sales Champion 2015