Commercial Director, Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean

Hilton Worldwide, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global hospitality company is seeking a Director of Commercial Services to lead and develop strategies aimed at increasing market share and revenue across Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean. Candidates must have previous managerial experience at the director level, expertise in sales and revenue management, and strong relationship-building skills. This role includes a significant amount of travel and focuses on ensuring alignment with Hilton's strategic priorities and values.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of managerial experience, preferably at director level.
• Experience in a multi-property or regional capacity.
• Experience working within the African or Indian Ocean region.

Responsibilities

• Deliver market-leading commercial performance in the region.
• Develop and execute a commercial strategy to maximize revenues.
• Lead negotiations and collaborate with revenue teams.

Skills

Managerial experience at Director level

Experience in Sales and/or Revenue Management

Relationship building skills

Ability to effectively plan and communicate

Strategic thinking

Emotional intelligence

Job description

Job Number: MEA011W7

Work Locations

Hilton – Regional Office – Dubai, Building 1, Level 4, Innovation Hub, P.O. Box 500200, Dubai 500200

What will I be doing?

The role holder has responsibility for delivering market‑leading commercial performance in the Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean region. The appointee is accountable for the development and execution of a commercial strategy and plans to maximise revenues over the short, medium and long term. This role leads and drives relentless focus on delivering commercial targets and growing market share across Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean.

The incumbent is responsible for hiring and developing the next generation of this region’s leadership and demonstrates leadership that ensures all aspects of the commercial operation are aligned with our Hilton Strategic Priorities and that teams exemplify the Hilton Values in how they operate every day.

The establishment of effective working relationships with Senior Commercial Area and Regional Leadership, Brand teams, General Managers, Management and Ownership groups is also a critical component of this position. The role must have strong communication and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to think strategically to resolve business challenges.

Position Summary:

Business Acumen

• Partners with VP Operations, Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean as the commercial ‘arm’ of their business
• Support hotel openings from a Commercial perspective to make full use of the Commercial engines including Revenue Management Consolidated Centre (RMCC) and Sales Operations, HWS, Shared Segment Sales Offices, Marketing, F&B, and HRCC
• Translate organisational goals and priorities into performance standards for the Commercial Services Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean team

Setting Strategy

• Responsible for the creation of short, medium & long‑term Commercial strategy and plan to deliver sustained above market top line performance across Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean
• Clearly communicates strategy and performance against our strategy and initiatives
• Gain buy‑in and support for the relevant strategies and key initiatives required to deliver the strategy from senior stakeholders
• Leads strategic planning across the Commercial Services team in Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean to advance the Company goals while ensuring the communication of key messages to internal and external stakeholders

Executing for Results

• Leads negotiations with 3rd party suppliers as and when necessary
• Collaborates with the above property revenue, sales, F&B, and marketing, eCommerce and Finance in Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean together with the respective Commercial heads in MEA & EMEA
• Ensure all Commercial initiatives are planned adequately and managed properly through to delivery
• Ensure that the Commercial team in Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean is integrated in its approach to increasing RevPAR and Market Share

Leading Teams

• Ensures the Commercial Services teams in Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean provide adequate support to all on property teams
• Maintain and develop talent across Sub Sahara Africa & Indian Ocean on property and above property to ensure the highest level of performance is achieved as well as planning for future succession
• Maintain adequate succession plans to ensure that our team is ‘future‑proofed’

Building Relationship and Using Influence

• Develops and maintains excellent relationships with senior personnel across the company
• Develops strong relationships with key Commercial partners in MEA and Europe to further strengthen our commercial performance
• Maintains excellent relations and ensures coordination with the Commercial Services MEA team to enable collective effectiveness
• Maintain strategic alliances with Global Database Management, HRCC, Distribution & Channel Management, and other important Distribution centres
• The role will attend property visits, corporate & ownership meetings, budget & forecast reviews

Direct reports: Regional Director of Sales

What are we looking for?

• Previous Managerial experience at Director level
• Experience in Sales and/or Revenue Management
• Experience working in a Multi property or regional capacity role
• Experience working within the African or Indian ocean region
• Strong relationship building skills
• Ability to effectively plan and proactively communicate/manage expectations with stakeholders that may include both internal and external partners (project sponsors/ senior leadership team)
• Experience in working in a matrix organization
• Presents clear and logical arguments and decision based on factual data
• Quick and accurate when evaluating complex written and numerical information
• Develops constructive relationships at all levels within the organization
• Demonstrates leadership and effectively motivates teams, helps others when needed
• Maintains effectiveness in situations of disappointment or high pressure
• Adapts willingly to change
• Identifies priorities effectively, balancing importance, urgency and resources
• Manages own personal time efficiently within tight schedules
• Strategic thinker while translating financial goals into operational plans
• Dynamic, innovative, and creative in finding business solutions
• Works effectively and accurately in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to challenge while maintaining strong relationships
• A high level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide and receive professional, constructive feedback that elevates individual performance and job satisfaction
• Additional requirements: 40% travel

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full‑service hotels and resorts to extended‑stay suites and mid‑priced hotels. For more than a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day. And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!