Task Force Spa Director - Luxury Forbes-Level Leader

Rancho Valencia; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Rancho Valencia invites an experienced luxury spa leader to join our Forbes Five-Star Spa as Task Force Spa Director for a September 2026 through April 2027 assignment. You will provide senior leadership and oversee a high-volume Spa and Salon operation with 70+ professionals.

Reporting to the Director of Wellness, you will sustain service continuity, elevate standards to Forbes Five-Star levels, and build leadership capability across the Spa Management team during the program.

Qualifications

• Experience leading luxury spa or hospitality operations.
• Proven ability to lead large teams in a high-volume spa setting.
• Capable of sustaining Forbes-level service standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight of the Spa and Salon during the task force.
• Coach and support the Spa Management team with clear ownership and accountability.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence and empower Spa Managers.
• Ensure consistent execution of luxury service standards and Forbes Five-Star expectations.
• Establish expectations, communication, and follow-through across leadership.
• Provide leadership continuity and stability for the duration of the assignment.
• Collaborate with the Director of Wellness on priorities and initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency and execution.

Skills

Leadership

Operations

People leadership

Finance acumen

Communication

Job description

Description

Task Force Spa Director Temporary Assignment: September 2026 – April 2027

Rancho Valencia is seeking an experienced luxury spa leader to join the leadership team of our Forbes Five-Star Spa for temporary Task Force assignment from September through April.

Reporting to the Director of Wellness, the Task Force Spa Director will provide senior leadership and operational oversight of a high-volume Spa and Salon operation, supporting a team of 70+ professionals across massage therapy, skincare, salon, spa concierge, and spa attendant operations.

The role is designed to provide experienced, hands-on leadership during a defined period while maintaining continuity across the Spa operation, supporting the existing Spa Management team, and advancing key operational and service priorities. The ideal candidate is an accomplished luxury spa or hospitality leader who can quickly integrate into an established operation, assess opportunities, build credibility with the team, and provide clear leadership and accountability from the outset.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations:

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight of the Spa and Salon throughout the task force assignment.
• Lead, coach, and support the Spa Management team while reinforcing clear areas of ownership and accountability.
• Maintain a visible and engaged leadership presence throughout the operation while empowering Spa Managers to lead day-to-day operations.
• Ensure consistent execution of Rancho Valencia luxury service standards and Forbes Five-Star expectations.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, communication, and follow-through across the leadership team.
• Provide leadership continuity and stability throughout the temporary assignment.
• Partner closely with the Director of Wellness on departmental priorities, projects, and strategic initiatives.
• Quickly assess existing processes and identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency, consistency, and execution.

People & Performance:

• Develop the Spa Management team and strengthen individual and collective leadership capabilities.
• Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to managers, helping establish sustainable leadership practices.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and employee development based on operational needs.
• Partner with the Director of Wellness and Human Resources on performance management and employee relations.
• Ensure consistent communication and accountability throughout the department.
• Support training, quality assurance, and service standards.
• Foster a positive, professional, accountable, and performance-driven culture.
• Help ensure leadership processes and expectations are well established and sustainable beyond the conclusion of the Task Force assignment.

Business Performance:

• Monitor labor, staffing, productivity, and departmental performance.
• Support scheduling and staffing strategies based on business demand.
• Review operational and guest experience trends and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor key departmental performance indicators and establish appropriate follow up.
• Partner with the Director of Wellness on financial performance, departmental goals, and strategic priorities.

Guest & Member Experience:

• Ensure the Spa and Salon consistently deliver an exceptional luxury experience.
• Maintain an active presence throughout guest-facing areas.
• Support VIP experiences and service recovery when necessary.
• Ensure facilities, treatment experiences, and Salon operations consistently meet Rancho Valencia and Forbes Five-Star standards.

Build relationships with members and frequent guests while supporting a highly personalized service culture.

Requirements

Leadership Structure:

Reports to: Director of Wellness

Directly oversees: Spa Management Team

This role leads three Spa Managers with defined areas of primary team responsibility:

• Massage

• Skincare & Salon

• Spa Concierge & Attendants

All Spa Managers share responsibility for daily operations, Manager on Duty coverage, guest recovery, coaching, facility standards, and overall execution of the Spa experience.

The Task Force Spa Director is responsible for leading the management team and overall Spa business rather than serving primarily as an additional Manager on Duty. The position should maintain sufficient operational visibility to understand the business, identify opportunities, coach leaders, and ensure accountability while allowing Spa Managers to maintain ownership of daily operations.

Ideal Background: •

• Luxury resort, hotel, or destination spa leadership experience
• Experience leading a large, high-volume spa operation
• Strong operational and people leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop managers and establish accountability
• Understanding of luxury and Forbes-level service expectations
• Strong financial and business acumen
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance operational awareness with broader business leadership
• Ability to identify opportunities and lead continuous improvement

The Opportunity This Task Force assignment offers an experienced spa leader the opportunity to join an established Forbes Five-Star Spa during an important period of continued growth and evolution.

Working closely with the Director of Wellness and Spa Management team, the Task Force Spa Director will provide leadership continuity, strengthen operations, develop talent, elevate service standards, and advance key departmental priorities from September through April.

Success in this assignment will be measured not only by the performance of the Spa during the Task Force period, but also by the strength of the leadership team, operational systems, and standards left in place for continued success.

Annualized Salary Range: $90,000 to $105,000 prorated based on the duration of the assignment.