At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and AI deployment for a global hotel portfolio.
- Company: Starwood Capital Group, a leader in hotel asset management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth across US and Europe.
- Why this job: Shape the future of hospitality with innovative AI solutions and strategic insights.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in hotel revenue management and experience with AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 121500 - 148500 £ per year.
Starwood Capital Group is seeking a Vice President, Commercial to maximize revenue and profitability across its global hotel portfolio. This role partners closely with the Hotel Asset Management teams in the US and Europe, as well as property-level and operator teams, to shape commercial strategy across revenue management, distribution, digital and ecommerce, and guest relationship management.
This is an owner-side role, where the VP builds strong relationships within Starwood Capital Group and with operators, working alongside them to set priorities, support and advise their teams, and ensure the commercial strategy is executed effectively across the portfolio. Deploying AI to drive measurable revenue and margin performance is central to this role.
The VP will identify, pilot, and scale AI-enabled tools and workflows across the portfolio, from pricing and forecasting to guest acquisition and personalization. They will build the data foundation and governance needed to make those tools work and prove their value.
The ideal candidate combines high-level strategic thinking with hands-on tactical knowledge across hotel operations, including rooms management, sales, marketing, ecommerce, distribution, web development, systems architecture, and data science. They are comfortable in a fast-paced private equity environment, including complex turnarounds of hotel assets and portfolios.
Key Responsibilities
- Operator Relationships and Commercial Execution: Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior leadership and commercial teams at each third-party hotel management company and portfolio company. Work with operators and the Asset Management team to set commercial priorities and annual plans for each hotel, and agree targets, KPIs.
- AI Strategy and Deployment: Define and own the commercial AI roadmap for the hotel portfolio, prioritizing use cases by revenue impact, cost savings, and speed to deploy. Evaluate, select, and implement AI and machine learning solutions for revenue management, forecasting, marketing, distribution, and guest engagement.
- Revenue Management: Review and advise operator rate strategies based on trends by market segment, distribution channel, and market supply and demand. Establish pricing and rate fencing structures by segment, analyzing price and demand elasticity to optimize segment mix and profitability.
- Distribution: Work with operators to develop strategies to increase conversion by channel, based on booking behavior and patterns across GDS and OTAs. Build and maintain corporate-level relationships with key OTA, GDS, and wholesale partners.
- Ecommerce and Digital: Work with operators to drive direct guest acquisition across paid search, LLMs, SEO, social, display, affiliate, and email, aligned to demand levels and business on the books.
- Customer Relationship Management: Work with operators to design tactical delivery at every stage of the guest lifecycle: research, book, pre-stay, in-stay, post-stay, and retention.
- Asset Management Partnership: Act as the commercial subject matter expert to Hotel Asset Management teams in the US and Europe, supporting underwriting, business planning, budget reviews, and asset-level performance reviews.
Qualifications
- At least 7 years of experience in hotel revenue management or hotel commercial leadership, including multi-property or portfolio responsibility.
- Demonstrated experience deploying AI/ML tools that produced measurable commercial results.
- Exposure to a fast-paced private equity or real estate investment environment, including complex turnarounds of hotel assets and portfolios.
- Expert knowledge of revenue management, digital marketing, and predictive analytics.
- Proficiency with key hospitality systems and interfaces.
- Strong ability to manage and present complex information to senior stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel between the US and Europe and to hotel assets as required.
Location: London or Greenwich, CT, with regular collaboration across both offices. Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience.
Vice President, Commercial/Hotel Asset Management in Whitehall employer: Starwood Capital
Starwood Capital Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of its mission. Employees benefit from a lean team structure that fosters ownership and visibility of impactful projects, alongside opportunities for professional growth through direct exposure to global investment processes. With a commitment to responsible investment and the integration of cutting-edge technology, Starwood empowers its associates to drive meaningful change within a diverse real estate portfolio.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President, Commercial/Hotel Asset Management in Whitehall
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
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Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Starwood Capital. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Starwood Capital
Don't be shy about reaching out to Starwood Capital directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President, Commercial/Hotel Asset Management in Whitehall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Starwood Capital and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starwood Capital
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
