Head of Operations (F/M/X)

AccorCorpo; Paris; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Orient Express is seeking a Head of Operations to lead the global hospitality and rail portfolio, driving transformation and profitable growth. You will champion a superior guest experience while meeting stringent financial and operational metrics across hotels and trains.

Key responsibilities include leading the operations roadmap, overseeing pre-opening launches, and partnering with executives to optimize value, governance, and strategic growth. Strong English required; Italian a plus.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in ultra-luxury hospitality or railway sectors.
• Experience directing pre-opening projects from construction/design to launch and stabilization.
• Experience collaborating with investors, asset owners and boards.
• Deep understanding of LQA standards and attention to detail.
• Fluent English; Italian language a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as ultimate leader of operations, crafting and executing the global roadmap under the CEO.
• Partner with executives to plan short- and long-term organizational strategy.
• Lead end-to-end pre-opening phases coordinating design, finance and operational teams.
• Develop operational plans, budgets and SOPs with GMs and owners.
• Guard guest experience by enforcing LQA standards and shaping F&B, wellness and onboard concepts.
• Ensure profitability, manage CAPEX and staffing with finance and investors.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

English proficiency

Job description

• Job Type: Permanent

Company Description

About Orient Express

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with its luxury trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The brand launched its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – which was followed by Orient Express Venezia. The experience continues with the recent launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and finally, the return of L’Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine- dining sectors. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com.

Job Description

The Head of Operations willprovide the strategic and operational leadership to accelerate transformation and drive profitable growth globally across all hotels and trains. He/she will foster a growth-oriented culture focused on delivering a superior guest experience while meeting clear financial and operational metrics.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership & strategic vision:

• Act as the ultimate leader of the operations division, architecting and executing the brand’s global operational roadmap under the direct guidance of the CEO.
• Partner with the Executive Committee to design short- to long-term organizational planning to maximize portfolio synergies while safeguarding absolute compliance with all corporate policies, financial guidelines, and management contracts.

Pre-opening & assets launch:

• Spearhead end-to-end pre-opening phases for OE assets by coordinating cross-functional teams (Design, Finance, P&C…) to ensure operational readiness on OE assets (hotels and trains).
• Develop bespoke operational plans, budgets, and SOPs in alignment with General Managers and owners to secure on-time delivery and maximize investment outcomes

Guest experience excellence & brand integrity:

• Guard the guest experience by championing LQA standards across all assets and providing strategic direction for signature F&B, wellness, and on-board concepts.

Financial governance & asset value optimization:

• Hold full accountability for global operational profitability and long-term asset value , delivering on EBITDA targets, CAPEX plans, and manning guides in close collaboration with finance directors and investors, while ensuring a flawless balance between ultra-luxury service standards and proactive cost management.

Strategic growth & market acceleration:

• Foster high-impact collaboration with Commercial, Revenue, and Marketing divisions to design growth-focused strategies and accelerate booking velocity.

Elite leadership recruitment:

• Lead the recruitment of high-profile operational leaders (General Managers and Train Managers).

Qualifications

• 10+years of progressive leadership in the ultra-luxury hospitality orrailway sector
• Successful history of directing complex, high-profile pre-opening projects from construction/design phases through to launch and stabilization
• Solid experience collaborating directly with institutional investors, asset owners, and board members
• Deep understanding of LQA standards and important attention to detail
• Exceptional negotiation and influencing skills to manage complex relationships
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong sense of urgency
• Professional fluency in English is mandatory. Italian would be a plus.

Additional Information

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