Director, Hotel Development & Pre-Opening Operations

Director, Hotel Development & Pre-Opening Operations We are seeking an experienced hospitality leader to oversee the full lifecycle of hotel development projects from pre-construction through pre-opening operations. This individual will serve as a key strategic partner to ownership, overseeing hotel development execution, operational readiness, financial oversight, management company coordination, and design alignment to ensure successful project delivery and long-term asset performance. The ideal candidate brings deep hotel industry experience combined with strong operational, financial, and project management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee hotel projects through all phases of development including pre-construction, construction, pre-opening, and operational launch
• Act as ownership’s representative in managing third-party hotel management companies, consultants, vendors, architects, and contractors
• Partner closely with ownership, attorneys, and finance teams to review contracts, negotiate agreements, and oversee development-related documentation
• Supervise hotel pre-opening operations including staffing plans, operational readiness, budgets, SOP development, vendor coordination, and launch execution
• Ensure all design elements align with brand standards, operational functionality, guest experience objectives, and ownership vision
• Participate in design review meetings with architects, interior designers, and brand representatives
• Oversee project budgets, financial reporting, capital expenditures, forecasting, and development timelines
• Monitor construction progress and coordinate with development partners to identify and resolve operational or project-related challenges
• Lead collaboration between ownership, legal counsel, hotel brands, operators, and development teams throughout the project lifecycle
• Evaluate operational efficiencies and implement best practices to maximize long-term hotel performance

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hotel development, hotel operations, hospitality project management, or pre-opening experience
• Prior experience overseeing hotel pre-opening operations and third-party management companies required
• Strong understanding of hotel construction, development processes, design coordination, and operational infrastructure
• Experience working with hotel brands, ownership groups, developers, and legal teams
• Strong financial acumen including budget oversight, contract review, forecasting, and project financial management
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a fast-paced development environment
• Hospitality industry experience is required

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