Director of Pre-opening, Southeast Asia

Job Purpose: 

To lead and oversee all greenfield and conversion hotel projects - from project inception to pre-opening and post-opening stabilization. The role ensures operational readiness, adherence to brand standards, and seamless coordination with Technical Services, external consultants, and the Operations team, delivering successful openings across luxury, midscale, and lifestyle brands.

Key Result Areas:

- Lead overall project management for all assigned hotel openings and conversions from feasibility through opening and stabilization.
- Develop, monitor, and execute pre-opening critical paths, budgets, timelines, and operational deliverables.
- Act as the primary liaison with owners, consultants, Technical Services, Design & Construction, Brand, Finance, IT, and all corporate support departments.
- Review and validate design layouts, BOH flow, and operating functionalities to ensure alignment with operational requirements and brand standards.
- Oversee operational readiness, including SOP development, departmental structures, manning guides, licensing, procurement, and systems installation.
- Guide commercial readiness including pricing, distribution, positioning, and pre-opening marketing activities in collaboration with Commercial and Brand teams.
- Review financial projections, pre-opening budgets, and opening P&L forecasts with the Finance team.
- Coordinate leadership recruitment, pre-opening training, culture immersion, and service-readiness programs with the Human Capital team.
- Conduct pre-opening assessments and audits to ensure service, product quality, and compliance prior to soft opening and grand opening events.
- Support the transition from pre-opening to steady operations, ensuring structured handover to the Operations team.
- Provide post-opening monitoring and operational guidance during the first 6–12 months to ensure delivery of brand promise and service quality.
- Maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure seamless project execution.
- Keep updated on market trends, competitive activity, and industry best practices to support continuous improvement of project delivery.

General:

1. Contributes to the morale and team spirit of the hotel and corporate office by maintaining effective professional relationships.
2. Performs additional duties as directed by supervisors.
3. Makes appropriate suggestions and recommendations to supervisors for the general improvement of hotel operations and project management processes.
4. Is fully conversant with all health and safety, fire, and emergency procedures applicable in pre-opening and operational environments.
5. Maintains a high standard of personal hygiene, professional appearance, and corporate conduct.
6. Is polite and professional in all situations where the image and reputation of the company are represented.
7. Attends meetings, training sessions, and briefings as required by supervisors.

8. Ensures that all activities are carried out ethically, transparently, and in compliance with relevant laws and corporate policies.

9. Interacts with internal and external stakeholders in a professional manner, actively promoting collaboration and effective communication.
10. Carries out other duties as assigned by the Direct Manager.

Qualification:

- Completion of pre-opening project milestones within approved timelines and budgets.
- Compliance with brand, technical, and operational standards throughout project lifecycle.
- Quality and accuracy of pre-opening documentation, reporting, and operational audits.
- Effectiveness of cross-functional coordination and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Successful transition of properties to Operations team and achievement of opening performance targets.
- Delivery of post-opening follow-up reports and improvement plans.