Head of Operations (F/M/X)

DH2DH; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Orient Express, part of Accor, seeks a Head of Operations to steer global luxury operations across hotels and trains from Paris. You will align strategic plans with the CEO, manage pre-opening activities, and optimize profitability while preserving the brand’s ultra-luxury standards.

You will lead cross-functional teams, partner with investors and owners, and recruit top operational leaders to sustain growth and exceptional guest experiences worldwide.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in ultra-luxury hospitality or railway sector
• Proven experience directing complex pre-opening projects from design to launch
• Experience working with institutional investors, asset owners and boards
• Deep understanding of LQA standards and attention to detail
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills

Responsibilities

• Lead the global operations division and shape the brand’s operational roadmap.
• Oversee pre-opening phases for assets (hotels and trains) with cross-functional teams.
• Drive guest experience excellence while maintaining EBITDA targets and asset value.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Revenue and Marketing to accelerate bookings.
• Recruit and develop high-profile operations leaders (General Managers, Train Managers)

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Job description

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

Accor

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