Project Director, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) - Architecture, Design and Construction

Position Statement:

Based in either Cape Town or Johannesburg, the role will be responsible for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (including the French-speaking territories of West Africa) and therefore requires extensive travel within this region and French language skills

The Project Director will be the principal point of contact and be focused on ensuring a smooth and trouble-free delivery of the highest quality property. The role will be committed to increasing efficiencies, improving communications, and assembling reliable information for our owners, industry partners and Hilton.The Project Director will be the focal point for both Hilton departments and Owners/Developers during the design, construction, opening and post opening stages of the pipeline developments to ensure all brand standard requirements are understood, met, and incorporated into the scheme and to liaise with all Hilton departments (Brand, Operations, IT, Marketing, F&B, Spa, Safety Risk Management, and the like).

Position Summary:
As the Project Director for SSA Africa, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:

Planning Activities
• Management of design for all projects within SSA & West Africa, including new developments, conversions, and renovations of existing hotels.

Organizing Activities
• Implements plans to ensure overall strategic direction of project management standards is consistent and supported by other areas.
• Identifies resources, oversees activities and confers with key stakeholders to ensure objectives of project management standards are accomplished.
• Oversees and evaluates business processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manages cross-functional links to other Architecture, Design and Construction departments within region.

Directing Activities
• Directs development and administration of project management standards.
• Conducts effective management of third parties, identifies vendors and monitors costs and quality of service.

Staffing Activities
• Assists the Vice President or designated Senior Director with the development, implementation, and on-going management of a commercial development management strategy.

Controlling Activities
• Ensures project management standards works effectively across cultures and markets.
• Works within approved budgets and adjusts activities and expenses to ensure optimal financial results.

Development Management Activities
• Assist the Vice President or designated Senior Director in the development and on-going management of in-house project management and reporting tools, databases, and the like.
• Liaison with other Hilton Development Management departments to ensure that best practice is being shared globally.
• Preparation of Project Briefs and Area Programmes (Facilities Schedules) as required.
• Undertake full and comprehensive review of architectural, engineering, and fit-out documents and proposals at all stages of the design and construction journey. Preparing associated reports and correspondence.
• Work effectively with developers, owners, and project design consultants to optimize design, construction and opening of projects.
• Liaise and assist the in-house Development Department and Brand Teams in the securing of new Projects, throughout the region, by reviewing plans, specifications, and scheme proposals for technical compliance with Hilton Design and Construction Manuals, Brand Standards, and all relevant national and international codes, prior to Contract.
• Make technical design and construction recommendations to the Development team to ensure that potential Projects are in accordance with both Technical and Brand Standards.
• Following the agreement of either Lease, Franchise or Management Contracts, provide project leadership on behalf of Hilton and act as main liaison and focus point between the in-house specialists, the outside Developers, and their design teams, to ensure the free flow of information and design input from Hilton, throughout the design development and construction periods.
• Carry out regular site inspections of the Project works in progress, to ensure full compliance with Hilton Technical, Brand and Operational requirements as well as ensuring compliance with acceptable standards of finishes and quality of workmanship throughout the duration of the works.
• Supervise outside consultants as required during any Project works to Hilton Brands.
• Oversee and assist in the snagging/punch out inspections and production of snagging/punch lists and the post-handover defects correction period inspections, to ensure the Developers and Contractors full compliance with their Contractual obligations through to the final completion of the Project.
• Inspect the works, collate, and prepare all necessary project handover information and certification required by the Hilton project management procedures. Participate in the decision-making process regarding the opening of the hotel by advising whether or not all AD&C/project related activities are complete and owner obligations discharged.

Property Improvement Plan (PIP) Management Activities
• Occasionally, undertake property inspections of other hotels for the purposes of acquisition or conversion into a Hilton Brand along with the preparation detailed PIP reports on the status of the hotels and the extent of works required in order to bring the property up to the required standards for re-Branding into one of the Hilton Brands.

What are we looking for?

Applicants must come from a hotel / hospitality background and have proven experience in managing large scale hotel development projects. Ideally, you will come from another international hotel operator or may have gained experience via consulting or as an owner / investor representative. As well as the broader SSA region, this role will be managing hotel development projects in the French-speaking territories of West Africa so French language skills are therefore essential. Additional skills / experience required include:

• Must be able to read and understand drawings and design and construction standards and all other criteria established by Hilton to determine the physical requirements of all brands.
• Understand and report on architectural and engineering construction documents, specifications, construction submittals, bulletins, change orders, etc. in order to ensure that the design and construction of projects are in compliance with established standards.
• Excellent general knowledge of design and construction materials and methods and specific knowledge pertaining to the design and construction of full service and focused service hotels.
• Knowledge of the hotel operating contracts and models is desirable. One of the challenging aspects of this position is the need to communicate openly and honestly with Hilton’s partners, maintain a good working relationship with them, but be able to deal for problems when confronted with a design and construction issue which does not meet Hilton requirements.
• Ability to work independently and lead a project team and make effective and timely decisions on behalf of Hilton project stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse departmental financial data to make strategic and tactical decisions.
• Strong problem-solving skills including ability to address any issue in collaboration with others, identify and prevent potential problems and develop problem solving skills in others.
• Ability to provide development and mentoring to others.
• Capable of conversing with both technical and non-technical parties.
• Experience in dealing with developers, Owners and other corporate clients.
• Proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, construction project programming and AutoCAD software

Required Qualifications
• University degree in engineering, architecture, building or quantity surveying or construction-related discipline or experience in lieu.
• Recognised professional qualification in construction related discipline.
• Significant work experience in property, engineering design and/or construction related roles including 5 years management experience and/or 5 years working within a Client organisation.
• Significant hotel development and construction related experience ideally within an international hotel group.
• Experience working in multi-cultural or international settings.
• An understanding of local building codes, including International Fire Life Safety codes.
• Fluent in English and French
• Valid passport that allows travel throughout the region

Preferred Qualifications
• In-depth knowledge of construction projects and track record of successful project delivery
• Supervisory experience would be advantageous
• Be able to show previous project management experience and be capable of both the leading and monitoring of outside consultants.