Vice President - Architecture Design And Construction Middle East

About Hilton

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with more than 9,000 properties in 140+ countries and territories. In the 100+ years since our founding, we have defined the hospitality industry and established a portfolio of 25 world-class brands including our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, which is the most recognized hotel brand in the world. We have more than 235 million members in our award–winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors and have recently been ranked #1 Worlds Best Workplace.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Architecture, Design and Construction is responsible for leading, coordinating and directing project management activities for all Hilton brands, ensuring consistent application of brand requirements across the Middle East, working in partnership with Owners, Consultants, Contractors and other Hilton Stakeholders.

As a leader with vision in hospitality architecture, design and construction, you will partner with the other AD&C leaders in EMEA to drive consistency and continuity in project delivery as you manage a pipeline of hotel projects from ideation through opening.

Key responsibilities will include

• Build, lead and develop a team of exceptional Team Members that are passionate about assisting owners in developing the best-in-class hotels in the region.
• Provide encouragement and motivation to Team Members to ensure that they excel in their responsibilities and are fully engaged in the department’s mission.
• Develop strategies, processes and procedures to position the department to successfully achieve the company and department objectives. Continually evaluate progress against KPI’s and objectives to make appropriate adjustments in strategies and processes as necessary.
• Support the new deal pipeline growth by assisting with the pre-application process to ensure potential projects are positioned to receive development committee approval.
• Oversee and provide ongoing guidance to Team Members to ensure that all new hotel units open on time and in conformance with brand standards.
• Analyze historic project data to identify trends and convert those learnings into applicable guidance to direct the team in delivering consistent and reliable forecasting and project delivery.

Direct Reports: 8 Direct Reports, 12 Full team

What are we looking for?

Applicants must have a proven background in hotel development and construction related experience ideally within an international hotel group. This is a highly visible leadership role within a key region and will be heading up a team of experienced Project Directors and managing a number of high level relationships both internally and externally. You must have significant leadership experience including the personality, gravitas and capability to successfully support the ongoing growth and develop of the Middle East region.

Fluent Arabic Language Skills Are Highly Preferred

Additional skills / experience will include:

• Building an effective team by leading by example, motivating, encouraging, and inspiring
• Strategic planner and critical thinker with a business-centered mentality
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills including effective and respectful influencing abilities with the internal and external decision maker
• Capacity to analyze historic project data and metrics to provide strategic direction
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment
• Collaborative Team Member, who makes good judgement calls and can influence internal and external decision makers with diplomacy
• Capable of identifying, prioritizing and articulating highest-impact initiatives
• Experience in hotel architecture, design and construction delivery across all ownership models
• Understanding change order cost implications and using them to make business decisions
• The ability to read and understand design information, construction standards, architectural and engineering construction documents, specifications, construction submittals, etc.
• Strong balance of commercial focus and development savviness
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and international environment
• University degree and recognised professional qualification in architecture, engineering or a construction related discipline or equivalent
• Significant work experience in property, engineering design and/or construction related roles including management experience and working within a client organization
• Ability to speak, write and communicate fluently in Arabic and English.
• Ability to access Holy Cities.
• Ability to travel as necessary.
• Significant years of Hospitality Architecture and Construction experience.
• Additional language skills would be advantageous.