Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Director of Sales
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Director of Sales is responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, growing hotel revenue, managing key accounts, and strengthening relationships with corporate, leisure, group, travel-trade, and luxury-market partners. Candidates are expected to have substantial hotel sales experience, preferably in an upscale or luxury property, with proven results in business development and account management. Strong leadership, negotiation, presentation, forecasting, and communication skills are essential. Fluency in Japanese and English is highly valuable for a Kyoto-based role, along with knowledge of Japan’s hospitality and travel markets. The successful candidate should be commercially driven, culturally aware, well connected, and able to lead the sales team while working closely with revenue management, marketing, events, and operations.
Can I work in Japan?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Specified Skilled Worker visa for hotel line jobs: pass a skills test and basic Japanese (JLPT N4), then the employer sponsors you; no local-first test; 5 years at most.
Watch for: Pass the hotel skills test and basic Japanese (N4) first; you can sit both in Japan on a short stay. Ask whether room cleaning alone is covered: it is not among the listed jobs.
Official source: Immigration Services Agency: Specified Skilled Worker, accommodation field. Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Japan
Usual for Japan, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Dorm common at resorts and ryokan; employers must help skilled-worker hires find housing (by law) |
|---|---|
| Meals | Varies |
| Flights | Varies |
| Service charge | Varies; tipping is not customary in Japan |
| Contract | 5 years at most on the skilled-worker visa (by law); contract length and probation vary |
| Leave | 10 days' paid leave after 6 months, up to 20 after 6.5 years (by law); 16 national holidays |
| Income tax | National tax starts at 5% (top 45%); 10% local tax from year 2; social insurance about 15% of pay |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About Shangri-La Kyoto
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is a leading luxury hospitality group originating from Hong Kong, with hotels and resorts across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and other international destinations. The company is known for personalised service, elegant properties, strong culinary offerings, and its Asian-inspired approach to hospitality. Shangri-La places significant emphasis on guest satisfaction, employee development, cultural sensitivity, and long-term relationships with customers and business partners. A sales leadership role within the group typically involves representing the hotel in important local and international markets, supporting premium positioning, and contributing to commercial performance. In Japan, the company operates in a highly competitive luxury tourism environment where service quality, Japanese business etiquette, language ability, and strong connections with travel and corporate partners are particularly important.