General Manager - Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi

The Brand - Waldorf Astoria

Live unforgettably. In landmark destinations around the world, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts reflect the culture and history of their extraordinary locations. With a fresh, modern expression of its rich, authentic legacy, Waldorf Astoria provides guests the exceptional environment and the personalised attention of True Waldorf Service that creates unforgettable experiences for our discerning travellers.

The Property

After signing a management agreement with Aldar Holdings, the Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors to guests in Q4 2026. Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi will offer scenic mangrove views and bring Waldorf Astoria’s signature service and sophisticated accommodations to the UAE’s capital city for the first time.

Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi will feature 167 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, many with views of the mangroves, continuing the brand’s globally renowned unparalleled hospitality. In addition, each guest will be assigned a Personal Concierge who will meticulously attend to every detail of their stay from pre-arrival to post-departure.

The hotel will also feature a thoughtfully curated range of food and beverage options including a brasserie, a rooftop specialty restaurant, a pool lounge, and the celebrated Peacock Alley – building on Waldorf Astoria’s legacy of culinary excellence.

An exquisite retreat in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the hotel will offer elevated amenities, including three swimming pools (adult, family, and kids), a fitness club and spa. In addition, the property’s two ballrooms and five meeting rooms will be carefully designed to reflect a grand yet intimate sense of place, creating an elegant atmosphere where guests can enjoy memorable meetings and events.

Once open, the property will be in close proximity to cultural attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, as well as to the Abu Dhabi corniche, downtown Abu Dhabi and Zayed International Airport.

The Role

This exciting and new General Manager position will be responsible for managing the Pre-opening phase of the Hotel, the Hotel Management team and once open hotel targets to deliver an excellent Guest and Team Member experience while managing profitability and meeting our Owners expectations.

What will you be doing?

Specifically, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:

1. Manage and lead the pre-opening phase.
2. As the first Waldorf Astoria in Abu Dhabi, you and your team will continue to build the reputation and activation of Hilton.
3. Manage ongoing profitability of the hotel, ensuring revenue, guest satisfaction and Team Member engagement goals are met and exceeded.
4. Lead in all key property issues including capital projects, customer service, and refurbishment.
5. Ensure all decisions are made in the best interest of the hotel and Hilton.
6. Deliver achievable hotel budgets and set other short- and long-term strategic goals for the property.
7. Provide exceptional leadership to hotel Team Members focusing on Hilton culture and values.
8. Lead in all aspects of business planning.
9. Comply with and exceed Hilton Brand Service Standards.
10. Ensure costs are controlled.
11. Manage and develop the Hotel Executive team to ensure career progression and effective succession planning within Hilton.
12. Hold regular briefings and communication meetings with the HOD team.
13. Respond to audits to ensure continual improvement is achieved.

What are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will possess excellent leadership skills with a strong focus on Owner relations, Operations, F&B, Commercial, Guest experience and Team Member engagement. Enthusiastic and passionate, you will have current experience as a true luxury hotel General Manager ideally within an urban luxury resort property.

A General Manager serving Hilton brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

1. An Established luxury General Manager with Hilton experience ideally.
2. Deep understanding of Tier 1 markets and experienced in luxury and luxury trade affiliations e.g. Virtuoso.
3. Deliver innovative commercial opportunities with experience in increasing profitability, in particular F&B.
4. Meticulous attention will be crucial.
5. Strong ability to collaborate and foster networks and relationships, with owners, contractors, corporates and local community – must be highly visible.
6. Passion for networking, being highly visible to foster networks and relationships - be the face of Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi and represent the owners at public events.
7. Capability to assume responsibility and confidently lead hotel owners.
8. Strong operational knowledge from a people/leadership perspective - the GM needs to be 'present' and lead from the front.
9. Exceptional people leadership and retention of talent with the ability to develop a people luxury philosophy, bring a team together on a journey and instilling the Hilton culture and values.
10. Ability to show resilience, judgement and leadership.
11. Experience managing budgets, revenue proposals, and forecasting results in a similar sized property.
12. GCC experience, ideally Abu Dhabi (recently / currently).
13. Degree or diploma in Hotel Management or equivalent.
14. Arabic language preferred.