Operations Manager in City of London

Join The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton joins an existing portfolio of award-winning hotels owned by Dominus and managed by Dominus Hospitality. Opened in April 2026 the hotel joined Hilton’s prestigious Curio Collection in the UK, a global set of remarkable upper upscale hotels handpicked for their unique character and personality - each one a part of the fabric of the city it calls home.

In the heart of London’s historic financial district, “The Derby” resonates with charm and sophistication. The name, inspired by the iconic bowler hat – affectionately known as a “Derby” – pays homage to the City’s storied banking heritage.

The Derby offers 234 contemporary bedrooms, including 13 suites with panoramic city views. Guests can enjoy modern British dining with a twist at Rycrofte’s Restaurant, Coffee House and Bar, with options for private dining. The hotel also features boardroom-style meeting spaces for 10–20 delegates, fully equipped with the latest technology, all in the heart of London’s Square Mile.

What we offer

• Staff rate across all Hilton brands and across the Dominus hotel portfolio
• Your Inspirational Stay – a night in the hotel and enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast with a plus one (T&C's apply)
• Additional annual leave entitlement based on length of service
• Impact Day, paid day to support your charity of choice
• Development opportunity across the Dominus hotels portfolio, including Marriott and Hilton brands
• Staff events and recognition schemes
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Season Travel Ticket Loan
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Refer A Friend Scheme – get rewarded when they join the team
• A collaborative team culture where people thrive together and a place where you can be your true authentic self

About the role

We are looking for an Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day hotel operation at The Derby London City, reporting directly to the General Manager and providing leadership and direction to the hotel's operational Heads of Department. With responsibility for Front Office, Food & Beverage, Kitchen and Maintenance, and working closely with our outsourced Housekeeping partner, you will ensure a joined-up approach across the hotel, driving operational excellence, exceptional guest experiences and strong commercial performance. As a key member of the hotel's senior leadership team, you will support the General Manager in delivering the hotel's strategy and objectives, ensuring Hilton brand standards are consistently maintained while developing high-performing teams and continuously improving the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the hotel's operational departments, providing clear direction, support and accountability to Heads of Department.
• Lead, coach and develop operational Heads of Department to drive strong performance, engagement and exceptional service delivery.
• Work closely with the outsourced Housekeeping partner to ensure standards, guest expectations and operational requirements are consistently achieved.
• Drive operational performance and continuously review processes, standards and ways of working to improve efficiency and the guest experience.
• Support departmental recruitment, onboarding, talent development and succession planning.
• Work closely with the General Manager to foster a positive workplace culture and drive team engagement and recognition.
• Drive guest satisfaction and Stay Experience performance, identifying trends and implementing actions to continuously improve results.
• Ensure Health & Safety, Fire Safety, security and compliance standards are consistently maintained across the property.
• Lead operational meetings and Health & Safety reviews, ensuring effective communication and coordination across departments and taking a leadership role in operational incidents and emergencies.
• Work with Heads of Department to deliver departmental budgets, manage costs and identify opportunities to maximise revenue and profitability.
• Oversee inventory, productivity and cost controls across operational departments.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and wider hotel leadership team on business planning, hotel performance and operational priorities.

Key Skills

• Exceptional leadership and people-development skills, with the ability to lead and influence experienced Heads of Department.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and delegation abilities, with the ability to manage multiple operational functions simultaneously.
• Guest-focused, with excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret operational and commercial data and turn insights into action.
• Confident decision-maker who remains calm, solutions-focused and effective in a fast-paced hotel environment.
• Financially astute and commercially minded, with strong business acumen and an understanding of budgets, productivity, cost control and revenue performance.
• Strong knowledge of hotel operations, service standards and Health & Safety requirements.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and relevant hotel systems.
• Familiarity with Hilton brand standards and systems would be an advantage.

About You

• Previous senior operational management experience within a branded, upscale hotel environment.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations, guest experience, Health & Safety and compliance requirements.
• Commercially focused, with experience managing departmental performance, budgets and operational KPIs.
• Positive, adaptable and solutions-focused, with the confidence to take ownership and make effective decisions.
• Passionate about people development, guest experience, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Hilton brand experience would be an advantage.
• We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all parts of the community.
• Must have valid right to work in the UK, please note that the company does not currently hold a sponsorship licence, therefore sponsorship assistance is not available.

Ready to be part of something remarkable?

If you are passionate about hospitality, creativity, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, we would love to hear from you.

#J-18808-Ljbffr