Overview
Position
Regional Hospitality Manager – Nature
Job Code
Reports to
Executive Director – Hotel Development - tbc
Direct Reports
Division/Section
Department
Hotel Operations
Sector
Hotel Development Company
Job Family
Role Purpose
Directs, leads, supervises and executes all aspects of hotel development within the Nature Region in line with the greater vision of NEOM. Responsible for setting priorities, coordinating activities with the Executive Director of Hotel Development, Regional Leadership and regional teams, project teams, design teams, hotel companies, and all relevant stakeholders to develop and open hotels successfully within the assigned NEOM region.
Develops, plans, implements, manages and monitors the strategies, programs, decisions, assignments and activities of the NEOM Hotel regional infrastructure using latest thinking, innovations and technologies, and pushing boundaries around current thinking.
Provides regional strategy input for the NEOM Hotel Development, Operating Models for NEOM Hotels, Franchise Hotels, Franchise Restaurants and Hotels under Hotel Management Agreements within the region and fulfills a liaison role between NEOM Hotel Development and the Regional leadership team.
Co-develops unique, innovative and one-of-a-kind accommodation experiences whilst fully embracing and aligning with the goals and ethos of the Nature Reserve and NEOM at large.
Key Accountabilities & Activities
Planning & Development
- Positively contributes to the vision and ethos of NEOM within the Hotel Sector.
- Works with Regional leadership and NEOM hospitality leadership on defining the hospitality space and strategy execution within the region.
- Sets priorities and coordinates across regional hotel development stakeholders and consultants, both internal and external.
- Key contact representing NEOM Hospitality to support the regional operational development and programming of hotels under development.
- Preparation of Pre-Opening Budgets for Hotels within the region.
- Development of NEOM Hotels regional Operating Supplies and Equipment requirements.
- Provides input and recommendations for hotel Food and Beverage programming and Spa development as required.
Hotel Delivery
- Preparation and oversight of regional Hotel pre-opening activities leading up to the agreed opening dates for hotels in the Nature Region.
- Coordination with regional Project Teams to ensure timely hotel handovers to operations for hotel openings.
- Regular visits of regional hotel projects under development and pre-opening.
- Ensures that the necessary licenses, permits and insurance required to open and operate hotels legally are obtained.
- Determines and approves regional Hotel opening dates.
- Ensures all brand and operating standards are in place for hotel openings..
- Is responsible for all OS&E and preopening processes for Hotels within the region.
Business Relations
- Responsible for creating and maintaining positive work relationships within the region with key stakeholders such as Hotel Management Companies, Franchisors and internal NEOM stakeholders and Regional Directors.
- Collaborates with NEOM Tourism, Real Estate and other sectors and stakeholders on the roll out of regional Hotel and Food and Beverage Assets
- Oversees and reviews regional operating results of hotels and restaurants.
- Negotiates positive outcomes as and when required for NEOM and the Hotel sector.
- Works collaboratively with all NEOM sectors to provide regional support and infrastructure for fast-track projects
- Development and assurance of regional compliance with tourism, health, environmental and social standards for NEOM hotels
People Management
- Provides guidance and defines future staffing needs and requirements to support Hotel and restaurant operations across the region.
- Timely recruitment and onboarding of regional Hotel sector teams across NEOM and employees of NEOM owned and/or operated Hotels and Food and Beverage assets.
- Actively implements NEOM’s living and education strategy within the region.
- Leads and supports team members and consultants within operations and other departments as/when required.
- Mentors and supports regional NEOM Hotel Development team members.
Special Projects
- Leads, coordinates, delivers as/when required any special projects related to the hospitality sector within the region at the request of the Executive Director, Hotel Development.
- Supports other Sectors and Regions for regional hospitality related projects.
Background, Skills & Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- A proven track record of being directly responsible for Hotel Development, design, project management, preopening and operations – preferably multiple assets.
- A proven track record of dynamic and successful leadership in Hotel operations (leading luxury and other segment hotel operators, etc)
- Evidence of developing hotel assets through a combination of private and public collaboration Minimum fifteen (15)+ years of experience in Hospitality, five (5) years in luxury industry
- Comprehensive knowledge of governing bodies, committees, and regulatory organizations across the hotel sector and nature.
- Comprehensive networks with regional/global hotel and niche lodge companies operating in nature regions around the world.
- A visionary mindset, ready to challenge and advance the future of hotels and experiences in nature.
- Ability to undertake strategic thinking and application in a dynamic, fast-changing environment
- Seen as a leader in own sector and a credible partner across other tourism-related sectors
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
- BA/BS Bachelor's Degree
- Executive Leadership or equivalent
- Hotel/Nature Lodge and Lifestyle Management Experience
- Experience operating hotels/lodges in nature based environments focusing on experiences
COMMUNICATION - MAIN STAKEHOLDERS
Internal
External
- Regional Executive Director and team
- Hotel Development team and other teams and sectors across NEOM
- External partners
- External consultants and service providers
- Affiliates