Head of Operations (Fixed-term contract) (F/M/X)

Orient Express; Issy-les-Moulineaux; Presencial; EUR 180.000 - 260.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Orient Express is seeking a Head of Operations on a fixed-term contract to lead and accelerate transformation across its global hotels and trains. The role requires deep experience in ultra-luxury hospitality or railway operations, with a track record in pre-opening programs and strong financial governance.

The successful candidate will drive a growth-oriented, guest-centric culture, align with executives, and deliver exceptional operational results under a fixed-term agreement.

Formación

• Leadership & strategic vision for luxury hospitality and rail operations.
• Experience directing pre-opening projects for premium brands.
• Fluent English mandatory; Italian a plus.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the operations division with the CEO’s guidance, shaping a global operational roadmap.
• Spearhead end-to-end pre-opening phases for OE assets (hotels and trains) coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Drive guest experience excellence, F&B, wellness, and onboard concepts while ensuring EBITDA targets and cost management.

Descripción del empleo

Head of Operations (Fixed-term contract) (F/M/X)

• Full-time
• Job Type: Temporary

About Orient Express

Artisan of travel since1883,Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with its luxury trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The brand has just launched its first hotels, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome followed by Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in2026. 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 ofL’OrientExpress train to railways.Since2022, Orient Expressispart 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 LVMHentered intoa strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at@orientexpresson Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com.

The Head of Operations will, on a fixed-term contract basis, provide 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:

• 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.

By clicking the link above or any third-party link within this posting, you are leaving this site and going to a third-party website where the third-party website's terms and privacy policy apply