Managing Director, UK&I

InterContinental Hotels Group; Clewer Village; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global hotel chain is seeking a Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, responsible for strategic growth and operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of brands. Candidates should have a strong background in market leadership within the hospitality sector and demonstrate exceptional stakeholder management skills. This high-profile role offers significant visibility and the opportunity to drive innovation in a key market.

Benefits

Visibility with global leadership

Opportunity for career progression

Values-driven company culture

Qualifications

• Proven track record in market leadership within hospitality or adjacent industries.
• Ability to lead through influence in a complex global organization.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK & Ireland business unit with end-to-end leadership.
• Balance strategic growth with operational excellence.
• Build long-term relationships with influential hotel owners.

Skills

General management experience

Strong commercial acumen

Stakeholder management skills

Adaptability across market segments

Leadership of high-performing teams

Job description

Be the face of IHG in our largest European market. Shape the future of hospitality across the UK & Ireland.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel companies, with 19 brands and more than 6,000 hotels globally. The UK & Ireland business is our largest and most strategically significant market in Europe, home to over 400 hotels open and pipeline across our mainstream, upscale and luxury & lifestyle portfolio.

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director, UK & Ireland to lead this business into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and partnership. This is a unique opportunity to represent IHG at the highest levels – with owners, investors, industry bodies, government stakeholders, and global colleagues – while delivering strong commercial outcomes and inspiring our teams.

The Role

As Managing Director, you will:

• Hold end-to-end leadership for the UK&I business unit, encompassing franchise, managed and leased hotels.
• Lead a diverse portfolio of brands including Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, voco, Hotel Indigo and our Luxury & Lifestyle collection.
• Act as IHG’s market ambassador, representing us with owners, government, and industry forums.
• Balance strategic growth (new deals, pipeline development) with operational excellence (quality of estate, guest satisfaction, and commercial performance).
• Oversee a leadership team in a matrix management organisation spanning development, operations, HR, finance, legal and commercial, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Deliver on a £2bn+ P&L responsibility, driving sustainable revenue and profit growth.
• Leverage IHG’s global scale and enterprise platforms while ensuring the UK&I maintains a pioneering role as a fastest to market innovator for new brands and concepts.

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven track record in general management or senior market leadership in the Hospitality and Travel or adjacent industries.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable experience in development, franchising, or owner partnerships.
• Deep understanding of owner and investor relations, with credibility to engage at board and institutional level.
• Ability to lead through influence in a matrixed global organisation.
• Exceptional EQ, communication and stakeholder management skills – calm, resilient and collaborative under pressure.
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams; inspiring, developing, and empowering future leaders.
• Adaptability to operate across mainstream, upscale and luxury/lifestyle segments, with comfort flexing between franchise and managed models.
• A strategic yet hands-on leader who thrives in ambiguity, balances operational rigour with innovation, and represents IHG with authority and authenticity.

Why This Role?

• Scale and Impact: Lead IHG’s largest European market, a cornerstone of our EMEAA business and a significant global profit contributor.
• Visibility: A high-profile leadership role with regular exposure to IHG’s global executive leadership team, owners, and industry bodies.
• Innovation: Drive brand acceleration and market-first initiatives in a country that leads hospitality trends for Europe.
• Partnerships: Build long-term, strategic relationships with some of the world’s most influential hotel owners and investors.
• Growth Platform: This role is both a critical market leadership position and a potential springboard into broader EMEAA or global leadership roles within IHG.
• Culture: Join a company recognised globally for its values-driven culture, focus on impact and inclusion, and strong sense of purpose – True Hospitality for Good.