Director, Openings & Transitions

The Director Openings & Transitions MEA, reporting directly to the Senior Director Openings & Transitions will be responsible for overseeing the openings and integration of all assigned managed properties within the KSA and MEA Region. This will primarily include new builds, conversions and hotel terminations.

Under the direction of the Senior Director working across all the Hilton Family of Brands, the Director Openings & Transitions, will work in partnership with Development, Feasibility, Architecture, Design and Construction and Operations teams amongst other key stakeholders to ensure smooth integration of new assets and execution of other responsibilities as required.

You will take the lead, manage and coordinate the openings and transitions processes, for company managed hotels as designated.

What will I be doing?

Openings Journey (75%)

1. Prepare LOU pack to include but not limited to: liaising with the Developer, ascertaining relevant information for the operations brief, facilitating discussions and providing high level summary for optimisation.
2. Ensure Hotel Operations Opening Journey timelines are met and all objectives are delivered on time.
3. Be the opening project lead as designated and ensure completion of all HOTT (Hotel Openings and Transitions Tool) tasks.
4. At an appropriate time (in liaison with AD&C) initiate kick off call with owner team to ensure understanding of openings process, owner obligations and alignment.
5. Initiate General Manager recruitment.
6. Collaborate with key stakeholders who have a potential impact on operational or opening aspects of the business.
7. Coordinate with key stakeholders in regard but not limited to: room mix reviews, manning reviews, pre-opening budget finalization including alignment plus guest and team member journeys.
8. Act as primary contact and maintain positive relations with Owners on matters pertaining to opening activities.
9. Provide expertise and guidance in relation to all operational matters including mock up room reviews.
10. Combined responsibility to set a target opening date for each project working together with Owner and AD&C towards achieving said date and revise where necessary.
11. Lead and direct ongoing project communications both internally and externally.
12. Conduct regular visits to hotel site in conjunction with key stakeholders and document accordingly.
13. Liaise with all Hilton teams / functions to ensure clear accountability and ownership.
14. Ensure you are fully engaged with all current legislation related to openings in KSA and adapt to changes accordingly.

Planning & Organising Activities (25%)

1. Overall responsibility to drive projects to open as per target date and work closely with all internal stakeholders and liaise with owners to overcome any arising issues.
2. Assess final readiness of the hotel to open (compliance to brand standards, fire-life-safety approved by AD&C and operational requirements). Administer the Authorisation To Open sign offs from all relevant functions.
3. Ensure internal reporting is up to date and relevant.
4. All HOTT tasks are met in a timely manner.
5. Coordinate with all key stakeholders regarding hotel visits and meetings where necessary, ensuring efficiencies and within budgetary guidelines.
6. Attend internal and external meetings as required.

What are we looking for?

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to perform the essential functions of the role:

1. Fluency in English and Arabic (both written and verbal) is a must.
2. Highly coordinated, independently working, self-motivated and driven.
3. Ability to communicate clearly with a senior audience.
4. Has the desire to facilitate solutions with determination and focus.
5. Must be highly flexible in order to meet the demands and timing of the opening process.
6. Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail.
7. Ability to work under time constraints and manage multiple priorities.
8. Ability to travel extensively.
9. Must meet requirements for employment within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Preferred Criteria

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

1. You will already have attained a senior managerial level in hotel operations.
2. Geographical and cultural knowledge of the Middle East is an advantage.
3. Experience of hotel openings.
4. Relevant new hotel openings experience either as Hotel Manager, Commercial lead or Director of Operations.
5. Must be able to visit the Holy City of Makkah.