Regional Director, Franchise Openings [Dallas, Houston, Austin or Oklahoma City]

InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta (GA); Remote; USD 58,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the hotel industry is seeking a Regional Director for Franchise Openings. This role involves managing hotel openings, ensuring critical milestones are met, and building relationships with franchisees. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management and hotel operations, with a focus on effective communication and relationship management.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance

401K

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of progressive work-related experience in the hotel industry.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in project and time management.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison between the Franchisee and internal personnel.
• Consult throughout the New Hotel Opening Process.
• Develop and execute procedures for New Hotel Opening date parameters.

Skills

Project Management

Relationship Management

Conflict Management

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Hotel Management

CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator)

Tools

Property Management Systems

Revenue Management Systems

Job description

Regional Director, Franchise Openings [Dallas, Houston, Austin or Oklahoma City]

Act as the primary point of contact to support all field processes related to future hotel openings, a select portfolio of 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 with 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-breaking 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-80%; candidate must live near a major airport

Location – Remote: Candidate should reside in one of the following cities: Dallas, Houston, Austin TX or OKC, OK

Your day to day

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Revenue Management staff.
7. Monitor and identify needed changes to existing tactical and strategic plans for the hotels.
8. Answer inbound inquiries and requests from owners and hotel leadership across all areas of the hotel opening process (e.g., permitting, financing, prelims, construction milestones, and opening). Work with internal departments to bring resolution.
9. Contact key hotel personnel on outbound call activity to support ground-breaking activities and construction milestones.
10. Stay abreast of all IHG interactions with hotels and owners/management companies in assigned portfolio.

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 of progressive work-related experience in the hotel industry, with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines/processes related to the position.
• Experience 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.
• Experience 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 providing information to clients, vendors, senior management, and staff. Ability to work effectively with GMs and Principal Correspondents, and strong relationship management skills. Conflict management/resolution and negotiation/persuasion skills are critical.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hotels. Experience in assessing performance and creating strategic tools to improve hotel performance.
• Knowledge of construction processes and procedures to assess building progress, challenge GCs, and communicate realistic time tables.
• Knowledge of training principles and procedures, with experience in developing, implementing, and delivering training programs.
• Proficiency in Property Management Systems and Revenue Management Systems.
• Proven leadership ability to build consensus and influence in a cross-matrix organization.
• Proficient in project and time management.

Travel-80%; candidate must live near a major airport

Location – Remote: Candidate should reside in one of the following cities: Dallas, Houston, Austin, TX or OKC, OK

The salary range for this role is $58,834.00 to $114,000.00. 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.

#LI-YM1

• No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until it is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or other form of compensation allocable to a particular employee remain in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
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