Openings & Conversions Project Lead (Remote)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual free hotel stays globally

Flexible work schedule

Headspace subscription for wellbeing

Discount at on-site fitness center

Family assistance policy with paid off

Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision

Job summary

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is seeking a Project Lead for Openings & Conversions to oversee transition of new and existing properties, ensuring brand standards and operational excellence. The role involves travel, coordination of pre-opening activities, and on-site training across departments.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage schedules, and mentor hotel staff to align with Hyatt’s values and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Hotel opening or major conversion project management experience is preferred.
• Willingness to travel on short notice and ability to lead trainings.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with leadership and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee hotel openings and conversions, ensuring brand standards and operational readiness.
• Deliver on-site training across Food & Beverage, Rooms, and Brand Standards.
• Coordinate pre-opening calls, document outcomes, and share notes for follow-up.

Education

4-year College Degree or Equivalent experience

Tools

Hyatt PMS

POS (Simphony and Infrasys)

HotSOS

BOB/HyGEO

Job description

Summary

The Opportunity

The Openings & Conversions Project Lead role is a dynamic role focused on overseeing and ensuring a seamless transition for new and existing hotel properties. This role combines project management, training, and operational support with a strong emphasis on brand standards during hotel openings or the transition process. If you're considering this role, you should be comfortable with frequent travel, highly organized, and able to train teams on a variety of operational and brand standards. You will be part of a team that is passionate about our purpose, committed to nurturing curiosity and new skills, and building connections across the organization with colleagues, customers, and guests.

Who We Are

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and creating a culture of care, where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have been at the heart of our business and helped Hyatt become one of the best and fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. Our transformative growth and the addition of new hotels, brands, and business lines can open the door for exciting career and growth opportunities for our colleagues.

Why Now?

This is an exciting time to be at Hyatt. We are growing rapidly and are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey. The hospitality industry is resilient and continues to offer dynamic opportunities for upward mobility, and Hyatt is no exception.

How We Care for Our People

What sets us apart is our purpose-to care for people so they can be their best. Every business decision is made through the lens of our purpose, and it informs how we have and will continue to support each other as members of the Hyatt family. Our care for our colleagues is the key to our success. We're proud to have earned a place on Fortune's prestigious 100 Best Companies to Work For list since 2013. This recognition is a testament to the tremendous way our Hyatt family continues to come together to care for one another, our commitment to a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and respect, and making sure everyone feels like they belong.

Benefits

• Annual allotment of free hotel stays at Hyatt hotels globally
• Flexible work schedule
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace subscription, and a discount at the on-site fitness center
• A global family assistance policy with paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child as well as financial assistance for adoption
• Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match

Who You Are

As our ideal candidate, you understand the power and purpose of our culture of care, and embody our core values of Empathy, Inclusion, Integrity, Experimentation, Respect, and Wellbeing. You enjoy working with others, are results-driven, and are looking for a variety of opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

The Role

This role requires a high level of expertise in hospitality and project management, especially in operations, training, and brand standards, as well as the capability to oversee multiple large-scale projects and collaborate with diverse teams.

Training & Operational Support

• Act as a corporate resource for hotel openings, focusing on training and supporting hotels in Food and Beverage, Rooms, Brand Standards, Quality Assurance, Brand Programs, and Operational Efficiencies.
• Deliver on-site training for hotels that require operational improvements, as directed by the Regional VPs of Operations, VP of Openings & Transitions, and the Director of Openings & Transitions.

Pre-opening & Conversion Management

• Host and manage pre-opening, Conversion, and de-flag calls for all assigned hotels.
• Liaise with property RVPs, document call details, and distribute notes for follow-up. Upload all relevant documentation to Pacer.

HyBar Meeting Preparation

• Host virtual HyBar training for assigned openings, collaborating with design services, project services, engineering, and operations to ensure the hotel opening is on track and identify adjustments as necessary.

Scheduling and Conference Calls

• Schedule and conduct conference calls with hotels and vendors to review Food and Beverage Brand Approved Products, training schedules, and operational progress during the pre-opening phase.

Training & Mentorship

• Develop training schedules tailored to each hotel opening and arrange discussion calls with hotels to confirm their readiness.
• Guide hotels in implementing Brand Programs, F&B updates, and in managing relationships with approved vendors and brand-approved products.
• Monitor the critical path toolkit for the hotel opening, communicate with hotels to ensure milestones are being met, and adjust plans when necessary.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

• Collaborate closely with the hotel's executive team, management companies, owners, Project Services, IT, Vendors, and on-site Project Management during the hotel opening week to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Updating Hyatt's Systems & Resources

• Update and edit content on HyattConnect and Pacer, ensuring all departmental resources are current and easily accessible to relevant teams.
• Work closely with Operations leads to update F&B guides, recipes, setups, equipment, and food training materials.

Commitment to Core Values

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Hyatt's core values throughout the role, ensuring that the company's standards and culture are reflected in the work done.
• Extensive knowledge of Hyatt's operations, brand standards, and tools.
• Strong organizational and communication skills for managing multiple tasks, calls, and timelines. Leadership and mentoring abilities to support hotel teams and improve operational performance.
• Willingness to travel on short notice: This role requires a strong degree of flexibility with travel arrangements, especially if hotel opening dates change unexpectedly. You should be ready to modify travel plans at short notice to ensure that all hotel openings receive timely support.
• Work during holidays: Given the nature of hotel openings, you may need to be available during holidays, working when needed to support the team and ensure the hotel is ready for its opening.
• Consecutive days away from home: The role requires the ability to spend 8-9 consecutive nights or more away from home while on assignment. This could involve being on-site for extended periods, providing on-the-ground support during crucial stages of hotel openings.
• Handling diverse audiences: You will work with a wide range of individuals, including hotel staff, vendors, executives, and operations teams. Effectively communicating and engaging with people from various backgrounds and differing levels of expertise will be crucial for success.
• Quick-thinking and problem-solving: Traveling and training in different environments will require the ability to think on your feet, especially when challenges arise unexpectedly. Whether it's a logistical issue or a staffing challenge, you'll need to be adaptable and quick to find solutions. Being proactive in identifying potential issues before they arise and creating effective solutions under time constraints.
• Managing setbacks: The hotel opening process can present unforeseen obstacles, such as delays in permits, staffing shortages, or last-minute operational challenges. It's crucial to remain calm, stay focused, and develop a plan to address any setbacks that may occur. The ability to adapt and troubleshoot on-site will be vital to keeping the opening on schedule.

Qualifications

Experience Required

• 4+ years minimum in position of Department Head, Assistant Director of Operations, Assistant General Manager, or
• General Manager (Full-Service Hotel experience preferred).
• Hotel Opening Experience in either Assistant Director of Operations, Department Head, or General Manager Role.
• 4+ years' hands-on experience in Food and Beverage and Rooms operations
• ServSafe
• Alcohol Awareness Training or equivalent
• Training Certification (Train the Trainer)

Experience Preferred

• 4-year College Degree or Equivalent experience
• Working knowledge of Hyatt PMS, POS (Simphony and Infrasys), HotSOS, BOB/HyGEO, and other hotel systems
• Proven training experience, including one-on-one or group training, and hands-on experience in hotel or classroom environments.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all-encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

The salary range for this position is $98,600 to $130,000. This position is also eligible for an annual incentive plan.

The final pay rate/salary offered to the successful candidate will depend on experience, skill level and other qualifications for the role, as well as the location of the performance of work. Pay for the successful candidate will meet local requirements, including the local minimum wage rate.

We value our relationships with recruitment partners and require that agencies contact us first before submitting any candidates. Hyatt will not be responsible for any fees and obligations associated with unsolicited submissions unless a formal agreement is in place.