Senior Director Luxury Operations

The Senior Director role is pivotal for the vision, strategic leadership, and direction of Luxury brands across MEA. Based in Dubai and reporting to the VP Arabian Peninsula, this position oversees the development of luxury properties, collaborating with hotel owners, management partners, and internal teams to drive revenue, loyalty, service culture, and profitability. The role involves providing expertise in operations, guest experience, marketing, and sales, while fostering positive relationships with stakeholders and supporting regional initiatives.

Position Summary:

Strategic Goals

1. Develop and Implement Strategy: Ensure each brand's unique promise is delivered, building brand preference and accelerating growth.
2. Collaborate Globally: Work with global teams on multi-year brand plans, incorporating regional needs.
3. Refine and Execute Strategies: Focus on customer and owner needs, supporting brand health targets.
4. Partner with Operations: Drive strategic alignment and implement Luxury Brand programs.
5. Support New Brand Entry: Assist in market entry and activation.
6. Conduct Hotel Visits: Drive brand activation and focus on key needs.

Development Responsibilities

1. Review Leads: Align brand fit and programming with key attributes and standards.
2. Support RFP Process: Create bespoke pitch decks and present Luxury initiatives.
3. Equip Development Team: Provide materials to effectively sell and position brands.

Collaboration with AD&C

1. Review Layouts and Designs: Ensure brand signatures and standards are met.
2. Provide Brand Immersion: Educate design partners and provide feedback on MUR and PIPs.
3. Process Waiver Requests: Review and process AD&C waiver requests.

Owner Relations

1. Support Operations: Assist with owner requests and communicate brand initiatives.
2. Activate Brand at Property Level: Ensure brand programs are rolled out, and guest experience touchpoints are reviewed.
3. Partner with F&B Team: Agree on concepts and naming.
4. Deliver Brand Immersion: Train HODs and optimise the Openings Roadmap.

People and L&D

1. Consult on GM Selection: Deliver brand immersion to new GMs and support luxury sessions.
2. Launch Brand Culture Programs: Nominate participants for the Luxury Leader program and drive brand recognition.

Guest Experience

1. Activate Forbes Partnership: Roll out training and quality assessments.
2. Support Brand Standards: Drive consistent guest experience and review operational waiver requests.
3. Engage with HSM: Optimize product programs and identify cost efficiencies.

Commercial

1. Drive Process Efficiencies: Integrate luxury resources into pre-opening tools.
2. Partner with Sales and Marketing: Drive brand awareness through luxury-specific activities.
3. Participate in Events: Engage in B2B sales events and media events.

Desired Candidate Profile:

1. Experienced Luxury GM: Preferably with Waldorf Astoria and interregional experience.
2. Deep Luxury Mindset: Understand and drive luxury guest experience.
3. Stakeholder Influence: Navigate a matrix system effectively.
4. Inspirational Leader: Dream big, inspire others, and excel at execution.

The role is based in Dubai and reports to the VP of Operations for the Arabian Peninsula.

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and