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- Tasks: Lead the opening of new hotels, ensuring operational needs align with design and construction.
- Company: Dynamic hotel group focused on innovative and high-quality hospitality experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape new hotel openings.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of creating amazing hotel experiences from the ground up.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in hotel operations, with strong leadership and project management skills.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to excellence in hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Hotel Opening Project Manager with deep operational expertise and a track record of developing and delivering client briefs, to lead and coordinate the successful opening of new hotels. This role is the critical link between hotel operations, design, and construction teams to ensure the property is built and delivered in line with the client brief, and launched to brand and operational standards. This is not a construction PM role. It is a hotel specialist position with a strong understanding of developing and delivering client briefs, how hotels come to life and how operational requirements must inform and align with physical design and development processes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the formation of the client brief that dictates construction builds, ensuring operational requirements and brand standards are embedded from the outset.
- Continuously refine and evolve the brief based on operational feedback and lessons learned from previous projects.
- Act as the operational lead in meetings with design, construction, and development teams, ensuring operational needs are integrated into construction and FF&E/OS&E decisions.
- Create and manage detailed and integrated project plans, critical paths, opening timelines and checklists in coordination with construction schedules, procurement plans, and hotel leadership.
- Implement systems or tools to monitor progress, flag risks and record learnings.
- Facilitate alignment among ownership, brand, technical services, procurement, IT, and operations to ensure smooth handover and readiness.
- Lead site readiness reviews, oversee pre-opening task force deployment, and support the hotel through soft and full opening.
- Provide regular progress reports to senior leadership and recommend process optimizations.
Qualifications:
- 5–10 years of hotel operations experience, with a minimum of 3 years in pre-opening leadership roles (as project manager, task force lead, or opening director).
- Strong knowledge of hotel operating models and how they intersect with physical design (front/back of house, guest experience, compliance, etc.).
- Experience interfacing with construction, design, FF&E/OS&E, and technical services teams.
- Outstanding organizational, communication, and leadership skills across diverse stakeholders.
- Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana, MS Project).
- PMP or similar certification is a plus.
Hotel Pre-Opening Project Manager in London employer: Criterion Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Criterion Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hotel Pre-Opening Project Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hotel industry and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a pre-opening project manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in developing client briefs and leading teams. Make sure they see how your skills align perfectly with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you find a hotel brand you love, don’t wait for job postings. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest in joining their team. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of hotel operating models and design intersections. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully integrated operational needs into past projects—this will set you apart from the competition!
We think you need these skills to ace Hotel Pre-Opening Project Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Hotel Pre-Opening Project Manager role. Highlight your operational expertise and any relevant experience in hotel openings. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed hotel openings or similar projects. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your organisational and communication skills. Mention any project management tools you’re familiar with, like Smartsheet or Asana. We’re looking for someone who can keep everything on track!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Criterion Hospitality
✨Know Your Hotel Operations Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your hotel operations knowledge. Understand how different departments work together and how operational requirements influence design and construction. This will help you articulate your expertise during the interview.
✨Prepare to Discuss Client Briefs
Be ready to talk about your experience in developing and delivering client briefs. Think of specific examples where you successfully integrated operational needs into a project. This shows you can lead the formation of a client brief effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Project Management Tools
Since familiarity with tools like Smartsheet or Asana is important, make sure you know how to use them. If you have experience with these tools, be prepared to discuss how they helped you manage projects efficiently.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your leadership experience, especially in pre-opening roles. Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams and facilitated alignment among various stakeholders. This will demonstrate your capability to manage complex projects successfully.
