Director of Luxury Hotel Openings EMEA

Locations Preferred: Dubai London Eschborn

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director Openings is responsible for leading the hotel opening efforts for all Luxury hotels across all brands in EMEA. The position oversees the project management of all hotel openings conversions and re-opening/rebranding coordinating and aligning with all internal stakeholders (DAM GDE IT Brand Training & Development Regional Teams Owner Relations) through a Project Management System and the Milestone Timeline.

The Director acts as the direct contact to owner Franchisee and Hotel team to ensure each hotel opens on-strategy in compliance with brand standards and optimal business on the books. The position oversees directly the RAMP brand and operational set-up of the hotels opening and leads the teams in charge of these processes.

Responsible or part of driving and implementing any new Roll-outs of Openings & Transition Strategies into EMEA including all aspect of involved project management (Planning Execution Performance Control). Gaining Stakeholder buy-in of for the NEW process all involved parties.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

Through both leading efforts with franchisees and partnering with Marriott teams this role is accountable for delivery in the following areas:

• Oversees Project Management of opening hotel coordinating and aligning with all internal stakeholders (DAM GDE IT Brand Training Development Regional Teams Owner Relations and others) through a Project Management System and the Milestone Timeline.
• Run monthly Project Meetings with the O&T stakeholders
• Responsible for the pre-opening process/activities for operational and commercial set-up of opening hotels across all brands.
• Calculate and present Openings Package for Opening hotels
• Calculate and present countdown costs for managed and Luxury Franchise hotels
• Attend Kick-off Meeting for all hotels opening owner onboardings and other necessary meetings and forums
• Partner with franchisee their property team VP Franchise Support relevant discipline leads and Brand Operations to ensure a successful opening of Franchise luxury hotels
• Responsible for conversion/opening process including product quality training system installation guest service opening supplies and conversion criteria to ensure the hotel has met Brand Standards.
• Work with franchisees to validate their pre-opening operations plans.
• Partner with other disciplines and hotel team to ensure a successful opening of managed hotels
• Plan & lead key dates Go-No-Go RVPcalls
• Conduct hotel visits to determine operational and commercial readiness
• Ensure all opening/conversion tools are current and in-line with brand strategy.
• Educate Owner Franchisees GDE Marriott Legal Marriott System management and other Marriott disciplines on opening / conversion process to ensure an accurate understanding and therefore an accurate expected opening date..
• Manage property countdown including cost calculation trainer selection and execution partnering with AVPs ADOPs CLS disciplines Training Development Brand and hotel team
• Conduct ATO visit and complete ATO status report for DAM for operations and commercial readiness
• Complete reporting for RVP & Regional Team on commercial and operational readiness of managed and Luxury hotels
• Ensure Hotels complete Critical Path before opening
• Coordinate handover reports for RVP and Area Team after opening
• Ensure positive opening survey results are achieved
• Follow pre-defined escalation process to highlight projects at risk at an early stage
• Develop and implement strategies processes and tools to improve the opening/conversion process for all brands in EMEA. Continuously monitor the effectiveness of the team and processes in place using feedback from key stakeholder to continue to improve the process.

Other Responsibilities:

• Holds themselves and the entire team accountable to a high level of business ethics.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by management.
• Complies with Marriott International policies and procedures.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

REQUIRED:

Previous Position Requirements:

• Minimum 8-10 years Hotel Operations and/or Commercial experience.
• Multiple Unit CFRST Hotel General Manager and/or multiple Full Service Department Head (Rooms or Food and Beverage).
• Working knowledge of the Opening and Transition process

Technical Skills Requirements:

• Exhibit strong project management skills.
• Understand and support Quality Assurance and training requirements across all brands.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of hotel feasibility models development and constructions costs.
• Exhibit strong financial acumen with proven analytical skills.
• Maintain knowledge of owner relations and financial responsibilities to and of owners.
• Demonstrate short and long term planning skills.
• Strong knowledge of mgs and its usage
• Understand all Marriott Brands and Brand Standard as well as all operational aspect of a hotel.
• Working knowledge of hotel financial and accounting functions.
• Possess a working knowledge of standards direction mission and goals for all brands.
• Demonstrate technical skills; must be computer literate and familiar with all Microsoft applications.
• Understanding of managing through relationship and enabling divisions being part of the process.
• Experience in managing teams and leading associates

Managerial Requirements:

• Identify positive public relations and teamwork opportunities.
• Proven leadership by example.
• Can lead motivate and enable a team also remotely
• Holds strong Stakeholder Alignment skills
• Possess excellent communication skills via remote environment to assist with conference calls webinars project updates etc.
• Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize under deadlines.
• Utilize problem solving techniques in decision making and problem resolution.
• Exhibit excellent guest service/relation skills.
• Exhibit excellent owner/franchisee relation skills and the ability to understand and meet owner/franchisee needs while projecting Marriotts Brand Integrity and business objectives.
• Establish performance metrics; measure monitor and evaluate processes policies and procedures.
• Evaluate business trends and modify business strategies as necessary.
• Possess effective public speaking presentation and facilitation skills.
• Establish manage and critique a budget to meet business objectives.
• Actively support the development training and mentoring of associates.
• Seek opportunities to encourage and develop a diverse workforce; understand how to manage in a culturally diverse environment.
• Demonstrate self-confidence energy and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrate effective listening and negotiating skills.
• Exhibit a high level of personal integrity manage time well and maintain a professional appearance.
• Create a positive working relationship with the larger Owner & Franchise Services Group Hotel Development and Regional Market Managers.
• Positively resolve conflict while protecting brand integrity.
• Seek and incorporate opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with Marriott support services: GDE Systems Guest Services Human Resources legal Operations and Finance.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelors Degree preferred.