Senior Manager Development

Marriott Hotels Resorts; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hotel chain is seeking a Senior Manager to support its brand development in the Middle East. This role focuses on identifying and pursuing business opportunities, coordinating teams for contract finalization, and building relationships with hotel owners. The ideal candidate will have a background in real estate or hotel advisory, along with strong organizational and communication skills. Fluency in English and preferably Arabic is required. The position is based in Dubai, UAE, offering a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Two to five years of business experience in the real estate or hotel industries.
• Experience with hotel advisory/development in the Middle East.
• Fluency in English, strong preference for Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a strong network in the Middle East hotel and real-estate development sector.
• Identify and assess potential owners and investors for branding opportunities.
• Lead negotiations and coordinate internal processes for development.

Skills

Strong organisation and communication skills

Established working knowledge of the Middle East

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to handle multiple projects efficiently

Proactive outlook

Teamwork capabilities

Flexibility to travel

Confident independent judgment

Education

University degree in Real Estate, Hotel Administration, Business Administration or similar

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Manager will support the development of Marriotts brands in the Middle East & Levant region (excluding KSA & Kuwait).

The Senior Manager identifies and pursues new business opportunities and coordinates a multidisciplinary team involved in the review, approval, and finalization of contracts for new hotels.

Success in the position demands a driving focus on the creation of shareholder value through the pursuit of new projects, a proactive disposition, a willingness to champion new business opportunities, an enthusiasm for working on a small focused team, and a passion for the work we do.

SCOPE / BUSINESS CONTEXT

• Full time position based in Dubai UAE.
• The addition of new hotels is one of the principal drivers of Marriott International's earnings growth and an important element in progressing the product quality, operating excellence, distribution power, and brand equity of Marriotts lodging system. The company's unit growth strategy focuses primarily on management contracts and on licensing our hotel brands to third‑party owners and operators under franchise agreements. The Senior Manager of Development performs a central critical role in identifying, generating, and structuring deals and successfully closing on opportunities (newbuild conversion and adaptive reuse) for new hotels and building win‑win relationships with new and existing hotel owners and franchisees.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience

• Two to five years of business experience in the real estate or hotel industries with at least two years of hotel advisory/development or related experience.
• Experience with franchised and managed hotel transactions in Middle East.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong organisation and communication skills (verbal, listening, writing).
• Established working knowledge of the Middle East region.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and capability of both building lasting and trusting internal/external relationships and selling Marriotts brands with a particular emphasis on Marriotts Select Service brands to third parties.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively understand hotel transactions (both franchised and managed); handle multiple projects on short timelines; and manage other resources efficiently.
• Enthusiastic, energetic, proactive outlook and approach to professional life is essential.
• An ability to work in a team environment with a small but diverse team is critical.
• Flexibility to travel within the defined region of responsibility and elsewhere often at short notice.
• Mature professional demeanour capable of expressing confident independent judgment.

Education or Certification

• University degree in Real Estate, Hotel Administration, Business Administration or similar (advanced degree preferred but not essential).
• Fluency in English (written and spoken). Strong preference for Arabic.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

The following are specific responsibilities and contributions critical to the successful performance of the position:

• Develop and maintain a strong network of contacts in the Middle East hotel and real‑estate development and investment sector.
• Proactively identify, initiate, and assess potential owners, investors, white‑label operators, developers, and local authorities for branding opportunities.
• Review and analyse potential hotel conversions and new build opportunities for integration into Marriotts brands.
• Develop the appropriate business relationship with potential owners, capital providers, and partners and local authorities in order to build loyalty and preference for our company and brands.
• Coordinate all aspects of the internal development process to Marriott, including presentations, site inspections, market feasibility studies, valuations, legal contract negotiations, and presenting opportunities for approval by the appropriate Marriott committees.
• Lead negotiations of management franchise and/or other agreements with owner/owners representatives.
• As needed, assist owners, white‑label operators and developers to identify sources of financing for hotel acquisition or construction.
• Attendance at (and presentation to) relevant hospitality events and establishment/maintenance of a high profile within the industry in the region.
• Perform other duties as appropriate related to enhancing Marriotts growth in Middle East and EMEA.

OTHER

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by management.
• Complies with Marriott International Hotels Limited Continental Office policies and procedures.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer and believes in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive people‑first culture; we are committed to nondiscrimination on any protected basis such as disability and veteran status or any other basis covered under applicable law.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager