Regional Director, Franchise Openings – (Charlotte, NC)

InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta (GA); Remote; USD 106,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

401K

Benefits package

Job summary

InterContinental Hotels Group is seeking a seasoned Openings Consultant to act as the primary liaison for new hotel openings, ensuring milestones are met and openings occur on time. You will coordinate with franchisees, NHOP, Franchise Sales, Revenue Management, and field teams while driving the opening process from planning through execution.

Responsibilities include managing critical path timelines, 75–80% travel, and remote work from Charlotte, NC area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Hotel Management or related field; CHA preferred.
• 5–7 years progressive hotel industry experience with multi-disciplinary exposure.
• Experience leading cross-functional/matrix teams; no direct authority required.
• PM experience in a matrix organization across multiple business units; global exposure ideal.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale hotel openings from conception to execution.
• Strong verbal/written communication and stakeholder relationship skills; conflict resolution a must.
• Knowledge of hotel operations, performance analytics, and strategic tools to improve performance.
• Understanding of construction processes; ability to assess progress and timelines.
• Experience designing and delivering training programs; proficient in PMS and RMS.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary liaison between Franchisee/General Manager and internal teams to ensure clear communication during openings.
• Provide phone consultations and coordinate details; manage pipeline to meet critical milestones.
• Develop procedures for New Hotel Opening date parameters and track completion of tasks.
• Collaborate with IHG Training and field staff to update training programs to current legal requirements and goals.
• Consult with management groups to identify barriers and paths to recovery; maintain key relationships.
• Submit recaps of consulting visits to ownership and management; share insights with FPS and Revenue Management teams.
• Handle inbound inquiries from owners and hotel leadership on openings; coordinate resolutions across departments.
• Contact hotel personnel to support ground-breaking activities and construction milestones.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Relationship management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Hotel Management or related field

CHA certification preferred

Tools

Property Management Systems

Revenue Management Systems

Job description

Act as the primary point of contact to support all field processes related to future hotel openings, a select portfolio openings or transitions, and the team in development/execution of projects to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and performance of hotel openings to ensure hotels open on time in accordance to the brand. Possesses project management skills to include managing key target dates and coordination of organizational specialists (AD&C, CaRM, etc.) as well as owner relationship management skills to drive opening pace.

Through in-depth consultation by phone and on-site visits build key relationships with franchisees while executing components necessary for the opening of the hotel. Consulting emphasis will be placed on ensuring the critical milestones for ground‑break construction, and life safety requirements are met along with critical path elements required to open the hotel. In partnership with the CaRM specialists, ensure the hotel meets critical milestones that provide a fast ramp up for the hotel. In conjunction with Operations Support and IHG Training continuously update the IHG systems to incorporate all the company's current legal requirements, initiatives, and goals.

Travel-75-80%

Location – Remote: **Candidate must reside in the Charlotte, NC area**

Your day to day

• Act as the primary liaison between the Franchisee/General Manager and all related internal personnel {i.e. NHOP Program and Support teams, Franchise Sales, Franchise Revenue Management, Field Services, Property Improvement Consultants, Quality Consultants, Sales Development Regional Directors, IT, HSS, etc.) to ensure a consistent line of communication during the opening process.
• Provide phone consultation throughout the New Hotel Opening Process, answering questions and coordinating details or relaying information as needed. Proactively manage pipeline portfolio to ensure critical milestones are met. Identify obstacles, triage, and work cross-functionally with IHG partners to deploy specialists as needed.
• Develop and execute procedures for New Hotel Opening date parameters for all new hotels. Provide details necessary to the tracking system for critical task list activities to include but not limited to all visits and actions outlined in the critical path. The tracking systems would also maintain information on opening statuses and ensure all paperwork is completed and submitted in a timely manner. Generate and analyze weekly/monthly reports to assess NHOP activities and the areas of opportunity, concern, etc. Monitor, identify, and implement needed changes to existing tactical and strategic New Hotel Opening plans.
• In conjunction with IHG Training, Operations Support and field staff, review, and/or enhance training programs on a regular basis to ensure training needs are accurately addressed, and incorporate current company legal requirements, goals, and initiatives.
• Consult with key managerial groups and applicable personnel {Principal Correspondents, General Managers, and Directors of Sales} to identify barriers to success, and paths to recovery. Maintain solid client relationships with Principal Correspondents and with managers at each assigned hotel.
• Prepare and submit recaps of consulting visits to hotel ownership and management. Make information available to internal key stakeholders including FPS management staff, FPS field staff, Commercial and the Revenue Management staff.
• Answer inbound inquiries and requests from owners and hotel leadership in portfolio across all areas of the hotel opening process (e.g., permitting, financing, prelims, construction milestones, and opening} Work with internal departments to bring resolution.
• Contact key hotel personnel on outbound call activity to support ground‑break activities and construction milestones.

What we need from you

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Hotel Management or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work‑related experience. CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) preferred.
• 5 to 7 years progressive work‑related experience in the hotel industry, with demonstrated proficiency in multipledisciplines/processes related to the position.
• Experience of managing teams, preferably cross‑functional/discipline teams as well as with and without direct hierarchical authority (i.e. external teams or teams from other functions with no direct line management authority)
• Project management experience in a matrix organization overseeing multiple business units. Previously worked within an international or global organization
• Experience in organizing, planning and executing large‑scale projects from conception through implementation in a hotel environment. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with effective follow‑through and attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for the purpose of providing information to clients, vendors, senior management and staff. Must be able to work effectively with GMs and Principal Correspondents in assigned hotels, and possess strong relationship development/management skills. Conflict management/resolution and negotiation/persuasion skills critical.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of hotel. Experience in assessing performance and in creating strategic tools to improve hotel performance.
• Knowledge of construction processes and procedures in order to assess building progress, challenge GCs and communicate realistic time tables.
• Knowledge of training principles and procedures. Experience in the preparation, implementation and delivery of training programs.
• Proficiency in Property Management Systems and Revenue Management Systems.

Travel-75-80%

Location – Remote: **Candidate must reside in the Charlotte, NC area**

The salary range for this role is $106,000.00 to $117,000.00. This role is also eligible for bonus pay (as applicable).We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K, and other benefits to employees.