Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a Luxury Hotel Group – Milan/Rome Italy

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a Luxury Hotel Group – Milan/Rome, Italy

Renard International Hospitality Search Consultants

A prestigious luxury international hotel group, based in Italy, seeks an experienced, visionary, and dynamic CEO to lead their brand to new heights. This individual will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, operational excellence, and overall success of the hotel group, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with world-class luxury, innovation, and exceptional guest experiences. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the hospitality industry, a passion for excellence, and a proven track record in leadership within high-end, luxury settings. Client is very specific; only executives with that pedigree will be considered. This role is to strategize, develop, and grow the brand, not to oversee the group's GMs, who are exceptionally experienced leaders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Strategy: Lead the overall vision and strategic direction of the hotel group, ensuring alignment with long-term objectives and market positioning. Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization. Develop and execute business strategies to grow the brand’s presence in Italy and internationally. Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including owners, investors, suppliers, and partners. Monitor industry trends and competitor movements, ensuring the brand stays ahead of the curve in terms of service offerings and luxury experiences.
2. Financial Management: Oversee the group’s financial health, including budget preparation, profit and loss management, and revenue optimization. Ensure operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness while maintaining the highest standards of luxury service. Drive profitability and sustainable growth through innovative strategies and effective resource allocation.
3. Brand & Marketing Management: Develop and implement a comprehensive branding and marketing strategy to reinforce the group’s position as a leader in luxury hospitality. Collaborate with marketing teams to enhance digital presence, brand awareness, and customer engagement. Ensure consistency of the brand’s high standards across all properties.
4. Operational Excellence: Oversee day-to-day operations of all hotels, ensuring the highest level of guest satisfaction, quality control, and service delivery. Implement best practices across operations, including guest services, amenities, dining experiences, and facilities management. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, industry standards, and safety protocols.
5. Team Development & Culture: Lead, mentor, and develop an executive leadership team that embodies the company’s core values and standards of excellence. Promote a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and inclusivity, fostering employee engagement and high performance. Build strong relationships with hotel staff and ensure that training and development opportunities are available to foster career growth.
6. Sustainability & Innovation: Drive sustainable practices in hotel operations, focusing on environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and community engagement. Champion innovative solutions, embracing technology and design to enhance the luxury guest experience.

Qualifications & Skills:

1. Proven experience as a CEO or in an executive leadership role within a luxury hotel group, high-end hospitality, or luxury brand management.
2. A deep understanding of the luxury hospitality sector, including trends, guest expectations, and operational standards.
3. Strong financial acumen with experience in managing multi-million-dollar budgets and delivering profitable outcomes.
4. Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, and lead teams.
5. A passion for luxury service and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
6. Excellent communication and negotiation skills, fluency in English, and proficiency in Italian or other European languages is highly desirable.
7. Master’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred.
8. Knowledge of sustainability practices in the hospitality industry is a plus.

Work Location: The CEO will be based in Italy, with regular travel to hotel properties across the region and internationally.

Compensation: Competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits package, including relocation assistance if applicable.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications, experience, and vision for the future of luxury hospitality to Mr. Steve Renard, President at steverenardinternational.com