Director, Reservations Excellence
Director, Reservations Excellence

Director, Reservations Excellence

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Reservations team to deliver exceptional service and drive revenue growth.
  • Company: Join the prestigious Mandarin Oriental, known for luxury and legendary service.
  • Benefits: Enjoy health benefits, wellness programmes, and unique learning opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape a culture of excellence in a globally recognised luxury brand.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in luxury hospitality with strong leadership and project management skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Mandarin Oriental is looking for a Reservations Excellence Director to join our Group Reservations team. Are you a master of craft? Do you thrive in a team that succeeds together, demonstrating integrity and respect while acting responsibly? Do you embrace a growth mindset? We invite you to become a fan of the exceptional.

Based at the Mandarin Oriental Corporate Office within the Group Reservations Department in Holborn London, the Reservations Excellence Director will serve as the single point of accountability for shaping the culture, capability, and consistency of the Reservations function across the Group. This includes leading the upskilling of teams, embedding standard structures, and setting clear expectations for service excellence and commercial discipline across both corporate and property levels.

Building on this foundation, the Director will drive the deployment of processes, tools, and technologies that support a unified reservations culture, improve conversion and upselling, and maximise the channel’s contribution to revenue growth. Collaboration across corporate functions and properties will ensure alignment with the Group’s overarching commercial objectives and the delivery of the brand’s legendary service. The Reservations Excellence Director reports to the VP Digital.

Strategic Leadership
  • Act as the central point of contact for Reservations globally, responsible for setting the tone and expectations for culture, behaviours, and structures across corporate property teams.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the Property Direct channel, ensuring alignment with the company’s global distribution and commercial goals.
  • Define, standardise, and embed best practices, ensuring consistent delivery of legendary service and commercial rigour.
  • Oversee the design and rollout of training, onboarding, and continuous learning programs, ensuring teams are consistently upskilled and equipped to succeed.
  • Champion a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence in both guest engagement and commercial outcomes.
  • Define and monitor KPIs to measure the channel’s performance, identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation.
  • Define and implement governance mechanisms to ensure consistent adherence to guidance, best practices, and performance standards across the portfolio.
Operational Oversight
  • Oversee the development of foundational technological systems and dashboards to track key property direct and reservations performance metrics (e.g., contact volumes, response times, conversion rates, upselling rates).
  • Set clear performance targets and monitor progress, leveraging feedback from properties and guests to continuously improve upon existing tools and processes.
Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with corporate teams (e.g., Digital, Sales, IT, Revenue Management) to ensure the Property Direct channel is fully integrated into the company’s broader commercial strategy.
  • Partner with property teams to ensure the effective deployment of tools and strategies, providing training and support as needed.
Governance and Best Practices
  • Establish and maintain governance mechanisms to ensure the consistent execution of Property Direct strategies across the portfolio.
  • Identify and scale best practices across properties, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
As Reservations Excellence Director, We Expect From You
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in channel distribution, revenue management, or commercial strategy within the luxury hospitality sector.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale change initiatives across global teams, with a passion for innovation and guest‑centric excellence.
  • Proven track record of driving channel performance and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working in a matrixed organization.
  • Deep understanding of luxury guest expectations and the ability to align channel strategies with brand standards.
  • Experience with digital tools, AI‑driven solutions, and platforms relevant to the Property Direct channel.
Our Commitment To You
  • Learning & Development. Your success is our success. We craft unique learning and development programmes for various stages in your career so that you grow, continuously.
  • MOstay. When you work as hard as our colleagues do, it’s important to take time off. As a member of the #MOfamily, you can stay with us wherever you go in the world. The MOstay programme offers complimentary nights and additionally attractive rates on rooms for you and your loved ones.
  • Health & Colleague Wellness. Finding the right work‑life balance is important. Your wellbeing matters to us. A variety of health benefits and wellness programmes are offered to all our colleagues, globally.
  • Retirement Plans. When you show commitment to us, we reciprocate. We offer different retirement plans depending on the length of your service and your role.

Director, Reservations Excellence employer: Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering tailored learning and development programmes to ensure your career flourishes. Located in the vibrant Holborn area of London, our corporate office fosters a collaborative work culture where integrity and respect are paramount, alongside unique benefits like the MOstay programme for complimentary hotel stays worldwide. Join us to be part of a team that champions excellence in luxury hospitality while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
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Contact Detail:

Mandarin Oriental Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Reservations Excellence

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the luxury hospitality sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. For a role like Reservations Excellence Director, understanding Mandarin Oriental's commitment to legendary service will help you stand out. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their team!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with their expectations, especially around driving channel performance and leading change initiatives. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining the #MOfamily.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Reservations Excellence

Strategic Leadership
Channel Distribution
Revenue Management
Commercial Strategy
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Training and Development
Performance Metrics Analysis
Cross-functional Collaboration
Continuous Improvement
Digital Tools Proficiency
AI-driven Solutions
Luxury Hospitality Knowledge
Guest-Centric Excellence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the luxury hospitality sector shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our commitment to legendary service and excellence.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in channel distribution and revenue management. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a proven track record, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for the Reservations Excellence Director position.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Mandarin Oriental.

How to prepare for a job interview at Mandarin Oriental

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Mandarin Oriental's values and mission. Understand their approach to luxury hospitality and how they define 'legendary service'. This will help you align your answers with their expectations and demonstrate that you're a perfect fit for the Reservations Excellence Director role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large-scale change initiatives in previous roles. Highlight your experience in upskilling teams and driving performance improvements. Use specific metrics to illustrate your impact, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can shape the culture and capability of the Reservations function.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, be ready to discuss how you've worked with various teams in the past. Share stories that showcase your ability to partner effectively with corporate functions like Digital, Sales, and IT, ensuring alignment with broader commercial strategies. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving success.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in the Reservations function or how they measure success in guest engagement. This not only shows your genuine interest but also gives you valuable insights into what they’re looking for in a candidate.

Director, Reservations Excellence
Mandarin Oriental
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