General Manager - Gran Meliá Jumeirah

Melia Hotels International S.A.(Meliá); Dubai; On-site; AED 550,000 - 735,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hotel chain is seeking a General Manager for the Gran Meliá Jumeirah, opening in Dubai in 2026. You will lead all aspects of this pre-opening project, ensuring top-tier operations aligned with the hotel’s philosophy of Spanish luxury. The ideal candidate has a strong background in ultra-luxury hospitality and pre-opening experience, coupled with exceptional leadership skills. This role offers a unique opportunity to redefine luxury hospitality in the Middle East.

Benefits

MeliáRewards loyalty program

Flexible compensation and exclusive discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience as General Manager in ultra-luxury international hotel chain.
• Proven track record in pre-openings and luxury operations.
• Strong background in owner relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for all operational, strategic, and financial matters.
• Lead the pre-opening phase and implement operational standards.
• Oversee all hotel departments ensuring quality service.
• Inspire exceptional guest service culture.
• Act as liaison with ownership groups and stakeholders.

Skills

Ultra-luxury guest expectations

Operational and financial acumen

Charismatic leadership

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

Hotel systems (PMS, POS, Revenue Management, CRM)

Job description

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Discover a boundless path at Meliá, where opportunities for growth and development are endless. Immerse yourself in a journey that will take you to work in various countries and to be part of our extensive global family 🚀

Discover some of the benefits we offer:

• My MeliáRewards: Participate in our exclusive loyalty program, enjoying unique benefits and advantages.
• My MeliáBenefits: Take advantage of flexible compensation and exclusive discounts on a wide variety of products and services, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

Be proud to belong to Meliá as we are proud of you 😉

HOTEL INFORMATION

Gran Meliá Jumeirah - New Opening Resort Hotel in Dubai - Opening at the end of 2027.

The Gran Meliá Jumeirah built directly by the sea on a pristine white-sand beach, is located on one of the peninsulas of Port de la Mer. This luxury property will feature 380 rooms and suites, offering direct access to the marina, event facilities with capacity for over 1,000 guests, and exceptional wellness and fitness experiences.

In the culinary field, Gran Meliá Dubai aims to become a new benchmark, hosting a curated selection of world-class dining concepts and brands to create truly iconic restaurants and bars within the hotel.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Gran Meliá Jumeirah will represent the pinnacle of Meliá Hotels International’s luxury portfolio — a sanctuary of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication located in the heart of Dubai’s prestigious Jumeirah district. As General Manager, you will lead this exceptional pre-opening project and establish the property as one of the region’s most distinguished ultra-luxury destinations.

You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring flawless execution, profitability, and alignment with Gran Meliá’s philosophy of "Spanish luxury defined by culture, excellence, and soul."

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to bring to life a flagship hotel that will redefine luxury hospitality in the Middle East.

GM TIME TO START

The GM is expected to start from scratch in Feb. 2026

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership: Provide direct support to the Managing Director for Central Europe, Middle East & Africa in all operational, strategic, and financial matters, ensuring alignment with the company’s global vision for the Gran Meliá brand.
• Pre-Opening Excellence: Lead the pre-opening phase by coordinating the implementation of all operational systems, recruitment, training, and brand standards, ensuring a seamless transition from project stage to successful launch.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee and direct all hotel departments — Rooms, Food & Beverage, Spa, Finance, Sales & Marketing, and HR — ensuring consistency in performance, quality, and service standards of the highest level.
• Service & Guest Experience: Inspire a culture of exceptional, anticipatory, and personalized service, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects Gran Meliá’s hallmark of discreet luxury and cultural sophistication.
• Owner & Stakeholder Relations: Act as the primary liaison with ownership groups and key stakeholders, managing expectations with transparency, strategic insight, and commercial acumen.
• Financial & Business Performance: Drive profitability through effective revenue management, cost control, and operational efficiency, while maintaining an unwavering focus on guest satisfaction and brand reputation.
• People Leadership & Talent Development: Foster a high-performance culture, identifying and developing top talent, promoting internal growth, and ensuring the team embodies the values of elegance, empathy, and excellence.
• Brand Stewardship: Uphold the Gran Meliá identity, ensuring brand positioning, storytelling, and experiential elements are consistently reflected throughout the guest journey.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of experience as General Manager within an ultra-luxury international hotel chain is mandatory.
• Proven track record in pre-openings and large-scale luxury operations, ideally in leisure or resort destinations.
• Previous experience in the Middle East is highly desirable.
• Strong background in owner relations and reporting to investors or property representatives.

Profile & Skills:

• Deep understanding of ultra-luxury guest expectations and the ability to deliver highly personalized, world-class experiences.
• Strong operational and financial acumen with a strategic mindset.
• Charismatic, composed, and empathetic leadership style, capable of inspiring large multicultural teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional sense of aesthetics, detail, and quality in all aspects of the operation.

Education & Languages:

• Degree in Hospitality Management or a related field.

Technical Knowledge:

• Solid knowledge of hotel systems (PMS, POS, Revenue Management, CRM).
• Familiarity with IT tools and analytical reporting platforms used in hospitality management.

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to reside in Dubai, Jumeirah area.
• Culturally adaptable and globally minded professional.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a refined hotelier with a passion for excellence, with experience in ultra luxury resorts, an innate sense of hospitality, and the confidence to lead with authenticity and discretion. Someone who combines the operational discipline of a seasoned GM with the emotional intelligence and art of hospitality that define true luxury.

At Meliá we are all VIP 🌟

Great professionals who make everyday life easier and exceptional. From the junior to the most senior, all of them have unique and important qualities that make working at Meliá an opportunity for constant growth and a passport to create your future wherever you want.

Our warmth, proximity and passion for what we do make working at Meliá an unforgettable experience, full of emotional moments and always with the feeling that you belong to a big family where we have people like you, VIP People.

At Meliá Hotels International, we are committed to equal opportunities between women and men in the workplace, with the commitment of management and the principles contained in Human Resources policies. We also prioritize disseminating throughout the entire staff a corporate culture committed to effective equality, and raising awareness about the need to act jointly and globally.

We promote our commitment to equality and diversity , avoiding any kind of dicrimination, especially related to reasons of disability, race, religion, gender, or age. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees are essential for our success as a global company .

Additionally, we support the sustainable growth of our industry through a socially responsible team . In this sense, our motto is " Towards a sustainable future, from a responsible present ". Thanks to al our collaborators, we make it possible.

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