Job Description

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JOB SUMMARY
The Direct of Openings functions as a strategic business partner and leader for all Marriott International pre-opening hotels in the South Asia area. The position provides expertise, strategic direction, and oversight regarding pre-opening key milestones and hotel operational disciplines covering Room Operations, Food & Beverage, Event Management, and all other related services.
Acting as a center of excellence, the position organizes, develops and implements hotel preopening processes, supports the hotel management team recruitment and onboarding, establishing the pre-opening budget and plan, and delivers the support to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of key stakeholders. Ultimately the position provides the pre-opening expertise and support to enable the successful implementation of the brand service strategies and initiatives.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience

• Strong background and progressive experience in the hotel industry preferred (e.g. Finance / Operations)
• Strong understanding of Food & Beverage, Rooms Operations, Event Management, Quality Assurance.
• Strong financial skills (Analysis, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Negotiations, Interpreting contracts)
• Previous pre-opening experience
• Ability to operate in a matrix organization (work as a team)
• Advanced project management skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects (multitask).
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results under pressure
• Experience evaluating business trends and developing and successfully implementing new business programs and strategies that enhance business performance.
• Demonstrated success in evaluating risks and developing proactive strategies and plans to mitigate business issues.
• Ability to manage owner relations
• Qualified in Hospitality Management or Business degree is preferred.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Preopening Set Up

• Partner with key Stakeholders (Area / Owners / Property Teams) in the execution of all pre-opening activities
• Guide General Manager (and Team) through understanding preopening process (Onboarding Deck)
• Guide General Manager (and Team) on Critical path requirements, sign up, and training needs
• Provide support, answer queries, and monitor Critical Path tasks / timelines for property disciplines
• Provide support, relevant information, and direction for property disciplines where required
• Support Area Team in conducting Owners Kick Off Meeting (assist in presentation preparation)
• Provide templates and guidance to Stakeholders on preopening budget (POB) including estimates
• Provide templates for stabilized manning guides for GDAP / IT functional / POB planning (in conjunction with Area Team)
• Support Area Team in conducting preopening Countdown (assist in presentation preparation)
• Be the center of excellence and lead in all preopening queries, escalating to functional leads where needed

Preopening General

• Act as central point of communication between Owners, Continent, Area, and Hotel pre-opening teams where required. Escalate where applicable.
• Assist on-site preopening team on preopening operational matters where required.
• Assist in resolution of preopening issues that may arise between Stakeholders from time to time.
• Align with key Stakeholders (GDAP, GAM, DAM, Property & Area) on opening dates.
• Where applicable provide Owner with 5SU (OS&E) listings as per Management Contract.
• Where applicable provide Owner / Property Team with explanations / specifications to 5SU (OS&E) aligning with Brand Standards and Brand Voice.

Preopening Finance

• Monitor status of all licenses / permits required by the local government and ensure these are in place before opening.
• Monitor insurances according to the hotel management agreement are in place as required.
• Monitor compliance with management contract and reporting requirements.
• Monitor compliance with standard and local operating procedures (SOPs and LSOPs).
• Ensure working capital and necessary inventory is in place before the hotel opening.
• Ensure the bank accounts are created according to the hotel Management agreement.
• Review Financial and Statutory compliance before hotel's opening.

Preopening Other

• Continuously improve and develop the efficient opening process for Owners / Hotel Management / and support Teams
• Support Owner relations and provide operational information as required
• Conduct post opening reviews and sharing of best practices & benchmarks.
• Where required assist in Owners Discount Letter for New Openings (Working with GM / FC to finalize the Owners benefits letter).
• Explain the Marriott Management System and Core Value to the Owners
• Demonstrate a professional image of the Marriott to the owner and other key stakeholders
• Continuously liaise / support / inform the Stakeholders of any status / pending / potential issues that may arise from time to time

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
Leadership

• Communication - Conveys information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner through a variety of methods.

• Leading Through Vision and Values - Keeps the organization's vision and values at the forefront of decision making and action.

• Managing Change - Initiates and/or manages the change process and energizes it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace; serves as role model for how to handle change by maintaining composure and performance level under pressure or when experiencing challenges.

• Problem Solving and Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; obtains and compares information from different sources to draw conclusions, develops and evaluates alternatives and solutions, solves problems, and chooses a course of action.

• Professional Demeanor - Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the company in alignment with its values.

• Strategy Development - Develops business plans by exploring and systematically evaluating opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results; ensures successful preparation and execution of business plans through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.

Managing Execution

• Building a Successful Team - Uses an effective interpersonal style to build a cohesive team; inspires and sustains team cohesion and engagement by focusing the team on its mission and importance to the organization.

• Strategy Execution- Ensures successful execution across of business plans designed to maximize customer satisfaction, profitability, and market share through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.

• Driving for Results - Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates, focuses, and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment goals; proactively takes action and goes beyond what is required.

Building Relationships

• Customer Relationships - Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer/stakeholder needs and actions consistent with the company's service standards.

• Global Mindset - Supports employees and business partners with diverse styles, abilities, motivations, and/or cultural perspectives; utilizes differences to drive innovation, engagement and enhance business results; and ensures employees are given the opportunity to contribute to their full potential.

• Strategic Partnerships - Develops collaborative relationships with fellow employees and business partners by making them feel valued, appreciated, and included; explores partnership opportunities with other people in and outside the organization; influences and leverages corporate and continental shared services and/or discipline leaders (e.g., HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Revenue Management) to achieve objectives; maintains effective external relations with government, business and industry in respective countries; performs effectively as a liaison between locations, disciplines, and corporate to ensure needed resources are received and corporate strategies are understood and executed.

Managing Projects and Priorities

• Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work for self.
• Provides direction and assistance to other teams regarding projects. Determines priorities, schedules, plans and necessary resources to ensure completion of any projects on schedule.
• Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinks creatively and practically to develop, execute and implement new plans or programs. Generates and provides accurate and timely results in the form of reports, presentations, etc.
• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates the quality of the teams' operations.
• Provides recommendations to improve the effectiveness of processes or programs.
• Understands and meets the needs of key stakeholders.
• Supports achievement of performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc.

Generating Talent and Organizational Capability

• Organizational Capability - Evaluates and adapts the structure of assignments and work processes to best fit the needs and/or support the goals of an organizational unit.

• Talent Management - Provides guidance and feedback to help individuals develop and strengthen skills and abilities needed to accomplish work objectives.

Learning and Applying Professional Expertise

• Technical Acumen - Understands and utilizes professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage everyday business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific work challenges.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.
About the Team: Marriott International is the world's largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,xe2x80x8b begin your purpose, belong to an amazing globalxe2x80x8b team, and become the best version of you.