Director of Hospitality

British American Household Staffing Inc.; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hospitality staffing agency seeks a Director of Hospitality based in Abu Dhabi. This role involves overseeing all aspects of service delivery and team management on a private vessel, ensuring 7-star guest experiences. The ideal candidate will have significant yacht experience, strong hospitality skills, and the ability to thrive independently in a high-pressure environment. Monthly salary ranges from 25,000 AED to 35,000 AED, along with extensive benefits including health insurance, holidays, and a family's education allowance.

Benefits

30 business days of holidays

Medical insurance for family

Discretionary bonus

Annual education allowance

Qualifications

• Experienced stewardess with significant yacht/day boat background.
• Proven UHNW guest exposure.
• Excellent food, wine, beverage, and service knowledge.
• Fluent in English and strong computer literacy.
• Reliable basic first-aid skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full responsibility for interior maintenance and cleanliness standards.
• Act as the face of hospitality and interior service for the vessel.
• Manage the vessel’s interior personnel and act as a link between departments.
• Travel within the UAE as required to support guests and events.
• Create and deliver training guidelines for the hospitality team.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Ability to multitask

Problem-solving

Job description

A principal and their family living in Abu Dhabi are seeking a top‑notch candidate to take on the role of Director of Hospitality. The role will be mainly based on the principal’s boat where you will work alongside the captain, boat engineer, and chef. This is a live‑in role, unless already based in Abu Dhabi with your own accommodation. The role is 6 days per week with times to be confirmed.

As the Director of Hospitality you will fully incorporate the responsibilities of chief stewardess while extending them to a Director‑level. You will be a highly hands‑on, guest‑facing professional, responsible for service delivery, people management and UHNW guest experience across the vessel and other hosted environments.

Responsibilities

Day‑to‑day responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to the following:

The Vessel Interior Standards, Housekeeping & Presentation

• Full responsibility for interior maintenance, cleanliness and presentation standards.
• Create, implement and enforce SOPs for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedules, interior set‑ups and resets, laundry and wardrobe management.
• Oversee guest areas detailing (with checklists and training), crew mess cleanliness, crew and guest laundry operations.
• Maintain expert knowledge of sensitive and luxury interior materials and their correct care.
• Oversee guest wardrobe management and clothing maintenance.

Service Delivery & Guest Relations

• Act as the face of hospitality and interior service for the vessel.
• Personally run and deliver 7‑star service for all guest meals, beverage and bar service, formal and informal events.
• Lead service execution, including wine pairing and presentation, cocktail preparation and spirit knowledge, tablescapes, themed nights and bespoke guest requests.
• Manage guest complaints, de‑escalation and sensitive situations with discretion.
• Act in a concierge‑style role – itinerary creation, restaurant, tour and attraction bookings.
• Maintain, manage and continuously update guest preference sheets.
• Full responsibility for the vessel interior and hospitality inventories – crew uniforms, crew food and beverages, guest food, drinks, wines and spirits, cleaning supplies and service items, guest clothing and interior accessories.
• Manage provisioning for crew and guests – laundry, cleaning and toiletries.
• Demonstrate strong budgeting and accounting awareness.
• Organise and manage ongoing job lists.

Team Management, Training & Culture

• Manage the vessel’s interior/hospitality personnel and act as the link between departments.
• Manage the property’s hospitality personnel and act as the link between departments.
• Set the standard and ensure all team members perform to the highest level.
• Create and deliver training guidelines (written and in person).
• Draw on individual strengths, nurture growth and support team development.
• Act as a calm, supportive senior presence – a “boat mum” mindset where appropriate.
• Create a roster and manage hospitality service coverage as required.
• Maintain professionalism, boundaries and discretion at all times.

Cross‑Location & Director‑Level Scope

• Ensure consistent hospitality standards across the vessel, hosted events and other environments across the UAE.
• Provide hospitality support at the property when the principal and family have events in residence.
• Travel within the UAE as required to support guests and events.
• Operate autonomously under the PA to the principal with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Eloquent taste.
• Longevity in previous roles.
• Able to read the room and know when to step back.
• Humble, down‑to‑earth and a good listener.

Requirements

• Experienced stewardess with significant yacht/day boat background (Essential).
• Proven UHNW guest exposure.
• Excellent food, wine, beverage and service knowledge.
• Fluent in English and strong computer literacy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and anticipatory mindset.
• Highly discreet, emotionally intelligent and well presented.
• Reliable basic first‑aid skills.
• Comfortable operating independently in a trusted, long‑term role.
• Highly organised and a great multitasker, excited to juggle multiple complex streams of work.
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Driven to succeed and enjoys holding others accountable to high standards.
• Detail‑oriented and meticulous, able to see how everyday duties connect to larger goals.

Salary and Benefits

Salary

• 25,000 AED to 35,000 AED per month (DOE).

Holidays

• 30 business days.
• UAE public holidays.

Health and Life Insurance

• Medical insurance under the company plan extended to spouse and up to three children.
• Life insurance provided to yourself.

Financial Benefits

• Discretionary bonus.
• Annual education allowance for up to three dependent children residing in the UAE aged 3‑18 years.

Work Environment

• Hybrid work environment.
• Team‑building events.

Visa Sponsorship

• Visa provided and all costs incurred during the process covered.

EH173 Director of Hospitality Abu Dhabi • Abu Dhabi, AE