Executive Director, Hotel Openings & Integration

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Guest Experience, North & Central America,  the Executive Director, Hotel Openings & Integration is responsible for the oversight and project management of the Openings & Integrations (O&I) department.  O&I manage the business planning, project plan and milestones, escalation of issues, budgets, communicate project information, facilitate the co-ordination and alignment of multiple stakeholders to ensure the business plan is executed and delivered (Development, D&TS, O&I team leads, hotel and regional team leaders, owner point of contact).   This role aligns closely on timely decisions, clarify the decision-making framework, HMA compliance, clarify business priorities and strategy, communicate on business issues, deal with provisioning of resources, engender trust, manage relationships, and promote ethical working within the project team.

What is in it for you:

• Employee Discount Travel Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Extended healthcare plan coverage
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grown within the Company and across the globe!
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities such as Planet 21

What you will be doing:

• Overall responsibility to drive projects to open as per target date. Work closely with internal stakeholders and liaise with owners to overcome any arising issues
• Works closely and in co-ordination with D&TS & Operations/F&B to ensure that the physical product is designed and built / converted to be compliant with brand and fire-life-safety requirements (both local and country specific) and ensure compliance to PIP as the transition project plan is underway
• Responsible for the Project plan and critical path, communication of milestone dates and activities to all stakeholders. Manage and co-ordinate communication meetings with internal O&I leads to ensure readiness for “opening/integration”. Has overall responsibility for scope, schedule management & facilitation.
• Prepare draft pre opening costs budget for SVP Operation approval, working with VP Finance, RVP and Regional Director of Finance to prepare draft P&L and initial budgets. Progress reports to SVP Guest Experience, SVP Operations, RVP, O&I Committee Owners and Hotel GM as appropriate
• Responsible for onboarding the General Manager orientation incl. project management review and critical path, including timelines, budgets and scheduling
• Owner of Playbook framework, templates & change control procedures.
• Act as primary contact with new Owners on pre opening expenditure, forecasting and matters pertaining to pre opening budget. Second sign off on all pre-opening invoices and coordinates budget reconciliation until handover to hotel DOF/RDOF.
• Provide expertise and guidance to owners and hotel management teams of new / transition hotels to facilitate successful and timely opening / re-brand or integration into Accor.

Your experience and skills include:

• Minimum of three to five years’ experience leading or participating in hotel opening or integration projects at a senior level
  or a combination of one hotel opening with Hotel operations experience at executive committee, and an understanding of hotel functional areas beneficial
• Previous experience leading large projects, renovations or new concepts
• Strong business acumen. Financially knowledgeable about typical hospitality ratios and KPI’s. Experience of budget control and cost management
• Experienced in management of a sizeable number of branded hotels (luxury brands preferable) with strong organizational skills.
• Able to work independently and build cohesive & collaborative O&I teams
• Excellent Planning, Organizing, Directing skills. Strong verbal and written communication & presentation skills, with diplomacy and negotiation. Strong Owner and asset management communication
• Ability to travel and be on property for multiple weeks
• Experience with a project management system is an asset (eg. Taskworld)

Your team and working environment:

• Based at the North & Central America Regional office in Toronto, Ontario,  the Executive Director, Openings & Integrations works closely and collaboratively with internal departments, Openings & Integrations Committee and Regional Vice Presidents who can contribute to successful new openings / transitions.  

Note:  Must already be legally entitled to work in Canada to be considered for the position

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.