Director, Restaurant & Bars Partnerships EMEA

Hilton Worldwide, Inc.; Garston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global hospitality company in the UK is seeking a Director for Restaurant & Bars Partnerships to source world-class restaurant brands and collaborate with internal teams to enhance guest experiences. The ideal candidate should have extensive hospitality experience, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track record in franchising. This full-time role requires strategic thinking and excellent interpersonal skills, with some travel across the EMEA region.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the hospitality industry, preferably in hotels.
• Proven track record in franchising and leasing of restaurants.
• Ability to travel across the EMEA region, estimated at 30%.
• Fluency in English; additional language skills advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Managing Director in delivering the EMEA Restaurant and Bars Partnership Strategy.
• Sourcing suitable brands and investors for F&B spaces.
• Researching latest restaurant and customer trends.
• Collaborating with legal on restaurant agreements.
• Tracking new F&B project development across EMEA.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Strong commercial skills

Strong negotiation skills

Interpersonal communication

Self-starter initiative

Strategic thinking

Knowledge of industry trends

Education

University Degree or significant work experience

Tools

MS Office Suite, including PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Director, Restaurant & Bars Partnerships EMEA (EUR015O7) location: Hilton - Regional Headquarters - Europe, Maple Court, Central Park, Reeds Crescent Watford WD24 4QQ. Reporting to the Managing Director of Restaurant & Bar Partnerships EMEA, this role supports the EMEA Development, Openings & Operations teams, Managed Estate Hotel General Managers, and Hilton owners’ representatives to source world-class restaurant brands and celebrity chefs. The Director collaborates with Hilton’s Development, Legal, Finance, Food and Drink Operations, and Brand teams to deliver best-in-class restaurant and bar partnerships. On occasion, support may be required for franchise hotel owners in providing innovative partnership solutions for their properties.

Having strong, proven and global experience in sourcing restaurant brands and chefs is essential for this role to secure world-class partnerships. The candidate must be dynamic, flexible, independent, and capable of driving commercially relevant deals that deliver owner returns. Strong relationship-building skills are required to represent multiple stakeholders, including Hilton properties, investors, and third-party restaurant and bar operators, in complex contractual negotiations. A wide network of restaurant, bar and chef contacts in the hotel sector is essential, alongside the ability to anticipate emerging market trends. The Director will support the Managing Director in executing a plan to deliver innovative, best-in-class restaurant and bar solutions that elevate Hilton’s hotel portfolio and guest experiences.

Position Summary:

• Supporting the Managing Director of Restaurant and Bar Partnerships in delivering the EMEA Restaurant and Bars Partnership Strategy.
• Sourcing suitable brands and investors for F&B spaces in existing properties and new properties under development (including Franchise, Lease and Chef-Led Deals).
• Researching latest restaurant trends, customer trends, franchises, operators, and market research using key markets (e.g., New York, London, Dubai).
• Working with reputable restaurant brands and celebrity chefs to grow Hilton’s global restaurant and bar partnership portfolio.
• Preparing market reviews and partnership opportunity presentations for internal and external use.
• Collaborating with development and operations teams in the review, selection and implementation process of restaurant and bar partners across markets, hotel brands and locations.
• Working with Hilton’s legal department on the contractual phase of restaurant commercial agreements, leading the process from initial negotiations to signing.
• Working with finance and feasibility teams on the ROI / P&L model for outsourced restaurant solutions to demonstrate impact of branded restaurants or lease operations.
• Supporting Hilton and owners if the agreement is unsuccessful and a negotiated exit or legal case is required, requiring strong negotiating, commercial, and interpersonal skills.
• Coordinating and tracking new F&B project development across EMEA.
• Coordinating and tracking contracts for all outsourced venues across EMEA.
• Ensuring ongoing communication and regular meetings with F&B Operations, Hotel Operations, and other internal stakeholders.
• Ensuring ongoing communication with Luxury & Lifestyle, Full Service, and Focused Service brand management teams.

Direct Reports: N/A

What you will bring to the position

To thrive in this role, you will bring a combination of qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills. Success will be demonstrated through the following key attributes:

• Strong communication skills to work with owners, owners’ representatives, Hilton leadership, third parties (brands, chefs, restaurant groups), real estate agencies and landlords.
• Strong commercial skills and an understanding of real estate commercials and contractual arrangements.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to navigate complex contract deal-making, resolve stalemates, and present innovative solutions.
• Interpersonal communicators who positively influence stakeholders and Hilton’s partners at all levels.
• Self-starters who take initiative, operate under time constraints, and adapt to change.
• Strategic thinkers with the ability to formulate long-term goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Individuals who keep up with industry trends and leverage them for Hilton’s advantage.

Required Qualifications

• University Degree or significant work experience in lieu thereof
• Extensive experience in the hospitality industry, preferably in hotels, with a proven track record in franchising and leasing of restaurants
• Proven track record of signing deals with brands, restaurant groups and chefs
• Highly numerical, analytical with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, including PowerPoint
• Ability to travel across the EMEA region, estimated at 30%
• Fluency in English
• Additional language skills would be advantageous.

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day. Our Team Members are at the heart of it all.