LHIC0005024 Langham Hospitality Group Development Director - Development, Europe, UK and Middle East 05 Jan 2025
Job Summary
Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) is a global hotel company with properties located in major cities and four continents under The Langham Hotels and Resorts, Cordis Hotels and Resorts and Ying'nFlo brands. It is the hospitality arm of Great Eagle Holdings, a leading property development company in Hong Kong.
Position Overview
This position encompasses a comprehensive range of responsibilities related to development, with core accountability for identifying and evaluating potential projects and owners in Europe, the UK, and the Middle East.
The role will contribute to defining and executing the hotel management development strategy, implementing policies and procedures, conducting thorough analyses of potential projects, structuring business deals, skillfully negotiating contracts, obtaining and coordinating internal approvals, and providing ongoing oversight of projects until their successful completion and opening.
This role will operate in high visibility with the top corporate senior executives of the company.
Key Responsibilities:
General and Strategic
1. Collaborate with the executive team and relevant management at Langham to develop a deep understanding of the company's businesses, strategic priorities, and positioning.
2. Originate and unlock opportunities that align with Langham’s business strategy, aiming to strengthen the company’s competitive position and support profitable expansion in Europe, the Middle East, and internationally.
3. Identify and evaluate business growth opportunities with primary focus on management contracts.
4. Develop key relationships internally and externally to capitalize on deal flow opportunities.
5. Conduct due diligence, analysis, and presentation of opportunities.
6. Take responsibility for executing transactions, including negotiations, partner selection, and integration.
7. Establish and deliver an aspirational yet achievable pace of development for the regions.
8. Compile and update a list of target markets for development.
9. Monitor industry trends and news, assessing their potential impact.
10. Attend and represent Langham at relevant hospitality events to maintain a high profile within the industry.
11. Implement the budget and marketing plan for the department.
12. Facilitate communication and coordination with the SVP Development and CEO.
Development
1. Establish and maintain a robust network of contacts to generate potential projects.
2. Generate and convert leads that conform to established strategies and standards.
3. Design and produce a regularly distributed internal development status report for the regions.
4. Establish and gain internal agreement on standard procedures for the review and approval of development projects, including:
5. Screening process and go/no-go decisions.
6. Approval of proposed facilities and financial projections.
7. Standard format for project submission documents.
8. Creation and updating of standard documents such as Heads of Terms, Letters of Intent and others.
9. Negotiate deal terms with owners, leading to the signing of Heads of Terms or Letters of Intent.
10. In cooperation with internal legal colleagues, instruct external solicitors for drafting management and related agreements.
11. Negotiate various documents through to completion.
Requirements:
Working Experience
1. Minimum of 10 years of experience in business development within the hotel management industry.
2. Proven track record of proactive sales with a history of successfully closing deals.
3. Established network of contacts within the hotel industry, particularly among luxury and lifestyle hotel owners.
4. Global experience, with a focus on Europe, the UK, and the Middle East.
5. Fluency in English, with strong oral and written communication skills.
6. Primary exposure and experience in the luxury segment and brands.
7. Solid understanding of hotel underwriting and fundamental principles.
8. Familiarity with various hotel markets, industry trends, banks, and special servicers.
9. Knowledge of key property management skills and attributes that drive incremental value for owners.
10. Proficiency in management contract terms and negotiation techniques.
Education
1. Bachelor’s degree in business, hotel management, or a related field. MBA holder is preferred.
Other Skills
1. Ability to engage effectively with potential clients, owners, and internal executives, demonstrating a strong capability for closing and executing deals.
2. Skill in building new relationships through various methods, including business entertainment and cold calling when necessary; proactive and hands-on attributes are essential.
3. Tenacious "hunter" mindset combined with strategic thinking and advisory skills crucial for launching new business initiatives; a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and organizational proficiency is key to excelling in this role.
4. Polished self-presentation and demeanor that reflects the brand’s image.
5. Excellent presentation and communication skills, comfortable interacting with all levels within an organization and with external constituents.
6. Flexibility for regular travel, potentially up to 50% of the time.
7. Strong understanding of marketing, commercial, and financial components of the business.
8. Gravitas, experience, and credibility to act as an advisor to senior executives.
9. Candidates with more experience may consider for Senior Director position.
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