Hilton Hiring for VP Operations Arabian Peninsula Job at Dubai Full Time

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with more than 5,980 properties with more than 950,000 rooms in 117 countries and territories. In the 100 years since our founding, we have defined the hospitality industry and established a portfolio of 18 world-class brands, with the emergence of the Tempo brand and including our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, which is the most recognized hotel brand in the world. We have more than 100 million members in our award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors.

What will I be doing?

Overall, the position has responsibility for the total performance of our full service and luxury & lifestyle hotels in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrein. These include our Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR, Hilton, Doubletree by Hilton, Curio by Hilton, Tapestry by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton and other brands that may be added in time. The focus will be on implementing agreed Hilton operations and brand strategies, ensuring the business has the correct focus on owners’ returns and delivers the right level of profitability to both owners and to Hilton.

Directs operation and performance of company-managed and/or leased/joint-venture hotels within the Arabian Peninsula region to maximize profitability and/or return on investment. Assists with identifying future prospects for development of the brands within the geographical region of responsibility. Manages relationships with our owners and principal stakeholders, and hotel leaders and their teams to optimize relationships, the values of Hilton brands and services, and ensure compliance with quality and operational standards.

Helps identify and develop talent, focusing on our diversity, equity and inclusion objectives and drives Hilton world class team member engagement.

• As the regional lead for Hilton in AP, determines further opportunities for opening new hotels or if any properties do not fit within the portfolio (and therefore preparing plans for exit).
• Develop strong positive working relationships with Owners and owner’s representatives relevant to their region through regular meetings/communication concerning Hilton initiatives/actions that impact the hotels.
  • Lead senior owner reviews and manage owner concerns as the first point of escalation from GM/HM.
  • Ensures owner relationships are robust and that Hilton’s values/standards are maintained.
• Ensures the business has the correct focus and delivers the right level of profitability.
• Creates an open, vibrant, people focused and non-bureaucratic culture
• Maintains a high level of visibility – physically being seen in hotels on a regular basis.
• Communicates and implements the Hilton corporate agenda / strategy to hotel management teams.
• Works closely with the development team to ensure the strategic approach to new developments and support the Development Team with any feasibility opportunities within their designated geographic territory.
• Demonstrates strong commercial skills to evaluate the commercial performance of each property, always looking for opportunities for local management to improve top/bottom line delivery.
• On an annual basis prepares the regional business plans/budgets and submits for Hilton leadership approval.
• Leads the integration or opening of new hotels within the designated geographic territory.
• Manages all resources of the regional team within the prescribed annual budget.
• Organizes regional General Manager meetings and updates the hotel management teams on the latest developments.
• Provides direction to General Managers in the development of annual business plans and capital expenditure plans for assigned area of responsibility.
• Ensures HMs and GMs are actively conforming to specified operational models, brand standards, conforming to procurement guidelines and controlling discretionary costs within budgeted targets. Regularly review benchmark data to identify additional opportunities for efficiency.
• Works closely with the regional specialists to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in different disciplines.
• Conduct Performance Reviews with all hotels in the region. Ensure appropriate performance improvement plans are developed and implemented. Ensure Area and Regional support functions appropriately focused on the needs of the hotel within the region.
• Drives the HW talent review process and agrees the movement of hi-potential talent in a non-territorial way.
• Acts as coach to General Managers and takes responsibility for their professional development and career progression by implementing Personal Development Plans and monitoring individual performance through both informal/formal processes.
• Ensures they recruit, develop, and motivate all senior managers and executives so there is a clear focus on ensuring local objectives are met within the overall strategic and commercial plans for the region.
• Regular, direct interface with the regional sales and marketing teams, ensuring appropriate resources are focused on the hotels within the area.
• Regularly review SALT performance within the region. Support HMs and GMs in the development and effective implementation of action plans to improve SALT performance.
• Play an active role in the quarterly Executive team and QBR meetings, contributing to strategy development and ensuring consistent implementation of agreed strategies within the assigned region.
• Tracks key metrics for the region (including Financial, KPIs, SALT, QA audits, Team member surveys) and adjusts strategy accordingly.
• Assess each hotel in terms of maximising its profitability/potential and devise plans with local management as appropriate.
• Ensures that quality standards are maintained across all properties, so Hilton quality and brand standards are maintained.

What are we looking for?

We seek a problem solver, who can resolve issues effectively and creatively while maintaining a high level of flexibility, professionalism, and integrity. We believe the success in this role will demonstrate itself through the following attributes and skills:

• Ability to build strong advisory relationships with key internal and external clients and partners across the business
• Demonstrable track record working in a client-focused, consultative organization
• Success in a senior operational leadership role in the hospitality or similar industry
• Leading, developing and motivating diverse, high performing teams across multi-site, multi-disciplinary operations
• Strong commercial leadership and acumen
• Demonstrable track record in delivering innovation and commercial performance

It would be useful in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

• International business experience in emerging markets
• Sound understanding of business environment in Arabian Peninsula

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

The future of hospitality is bright at Hilton: a leading global hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of world-class brands. Dedicated to filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, we have welcomed more than 3 billion guests in our more than 100-year history. Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture, and we are consistently named among one of the World’s Best Workplaces.

We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members, so they can Thrive, thanks to innovative programs and benefits such as workplace flexibility, career growth and development, and our Go Hilton travel discount program. Hilton prioritizes understanding and integrating our Team Members’ unique perspectives and voices-along with those of our Guests, Owners, Suppliers, and Partners-to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment for all. Check out the Hilton Careers blog and Instagram to learn more about what it’s like to be on Team Hilton!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We will ensure that qualified individuals with protected disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions of his or her role, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.