Director of Operations

PULLMAN; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learn Your Way

Discounted stays

Career progression

Heartist benefits

Job summary

Accor is opening Pullman Hamilton in the Waikato region, seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead the pre-opening and daily performance. You will align with the General Manager and Executive Committee to set strategy, drive service standards and guest experience across Rooms, F&B and core hotel functions.

You will build high-performing teams, ensure operational readiness from day one, and collaborate with Commercial, Finance and People & Culture to hit financial and engagement

Qualifications

• Proven senior hotel operations leadership experience in premium or luxury settings.
• Strong knowledge of Rooms and Food & Beverage operations.
• Pre-opening or major project experience highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational pre-opening journey to readiness across all departments.
• Partner with GM and Executive Committee to drive strategy and objectives.
• Inspire and coach operational teams across Rooms, F&B and key hotel functions.
• Drive guest experience, service excellence, productivity and consistency with brand standards.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Finance and People & Culture to meet targets.
• Maintain high standards of compliance, safety and continuous improvement.

Skills

Senior hotel leadership

Rooms & F&B ops

Guest experience focus

Team leadership

Pre-opening exp

Job description

• Job Type: Permanent
• Job Schedule: Full-Time

Company Description

As a pioneer in the art of responsible hospitality, the Accor Group brings together more than 45 brands, 5,600 hotels, 10,000 restaurants and lifestyle destinations across 110 countries. While each brand has its own distinct personality, they share one ambition: to continually innovate, challenge the status quo and create meaningful experiences for guests and Heartists alike.

Pullman Hamilton is set to redefine premium hospitality in the heart of the Waikato. Opening in 2027, this landmark property will bring Pullman’s contemporary style, energetic spirit and premium guest experience to New Zealand’s fourth largest and fastest-growing city - creating a destination where business, leisure and lifestyle connect seamlessly.

Featuring 191 elegantly designed guestrooms, a signature restaurant and bar, executive lounge, ballroom and event studios, and a dedicated wellbeing floor, Pullman Hamilton will become a leading destination for travellers, corporates and the local community.

We are now seeking an experienced and inspiring Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in the pre-opening and ongoing success of Pullman Hamilton.

Working closely with the General Manager, the Director of Operations will lead the operational readiness and day-to-day performance of the hotel, ensuring our teams, systems and guest experience are ready to deliver from day one.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds high-performing teams and is passionate about creating exceptional guest experiences.

Job Description

• Lead the operational pre-opening journey, ensuring all departments, systems and service standards are ready for opening.
• Partner with the General Manager and Executive Committee to drive operational strategy, performance and hotel objectives.
• Lead, coach and inspire operational teams across Rooms, Food & Beverage and key hotel functions.
• Drive guest experience, service excellence, productivity and consistency in line with Pullman brand standards.
• Work collaboratively with Commercial, Finance and People & Culture to achieve financial, engagement and operational targets.
• Maintain strong standards across compliance, workplace health and safety, risk management and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven senior hotel operations leadership experience, ideally within premium or luxury hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of Rooms, Food & Beverage and overall hotel operations.
• Commercially astute, with a strong focus on guest experience, performance and productivity.
• Inspiring and collaborative leader who builds high-performing teams.
• Pre-opening or major project experience highly regarded.
• Full working rights in New Zealand.

Additional Information

• Play a key leadership role in one of Waikato’s most exciting hotel openings.
• The opportunity to build operational culture, systems and service standards from the ground up.
• Access to Accor’s Learn Your Way development programs and global career pathways.
• Incredible Accor Heartist benefits, including discounted accommodation and dining across Accor hotels worldwide.
• Be part of a global hospitality group with extensive opportunities for development and career progression.

Accoris an equal opportunity employer. We endeavor to select, place, train, and promote the best qualified individuals based upon job-related factors such as ability, work quality, suitability, experience, and potential.