Hotel Opening & Operations Support Manager – Northern Europe (18mth FTC)

About the role

We’re seeking a Hotel Opening & Operations Support Manager – Northern Europe (German Speaking) to support a portfolio of 11 hotels transitioning into the IHG brand family across Germany and Belgium. This role combines hotel opening delivery with early-phase operational support, ensuring each property is operationally ready, confident on IHG systems, and set up for long-term success.

This role is an 18‑month fixed‑term contract (FTC). The preferred location is Germany; however, you may also be based in Belgium, France, or the UK. The ideal start date is early August, with September being the latest possible start.

Key responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end pre-opening lifecycle for a portfolio of hotels across Northern Europe.
• Partner with General Managers, Owners, and hotel leadership teams to ensure operational readiness.
• Conduct on-site audits, inspections, and readiness assessments.
• Coordinate training, coaching, and system onboarding for hotel teams.
• Provide post-go-live operational support during early trading phases.
• Support transition from unbranded to fully branded operation.
• Manage multiple hotel projects in parallel, planning priorities independently.
• Act as a key liaison between hotels and internal IHG stakeholders.
• Contribute insights into project forums influencing opening decisions.

What we’re looking for

• Strong hotel operations experience, ideally in full-service environments.
• Strong understanding of hotel readiness, quality, and service standards.
• Experience managing multiple projects or properties simultaneously.
• Hotel opening or transition experience desirable but not essential.
• Experience within IHG or a comparable multi-brand hotel group advantageous.
• Highly autonomous with excellent time management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (approx. 70–75%).
• German speaker.

Ways of working

• Remote / home-based role.
• Weekly short, frequent travel (2–3 days on site per hotel).
• High flexibility and objective-based working style.
• Occasional ad-hoc attendance at the Windsor office.

Who we are

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel companies, with over 7,000 hotels globally. With a unique culture and strong focus on growth and inclusion, there’s Room for You at IHG.

Inclusion & belonging

IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities and promotes a culture of trust, support, and acceptance.

Your ambition. Your growth. Your success. If this is you, there’s Room for You at IHG.