At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the opening and integration of new properties across Staycity Group's portfolio.
- Company: Join a fast-growing European hospitality group committed to exceptional guest experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the hospitality industry while leading exciting projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in hospitality operations with strong leadership and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Staycity Group, we bring together two leading aparthotel brands, Staycity, and Wilde, united by a shared commitment to modern, flexible hospitality. Across our properties and support teams, our goal is simple: to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and create an environment where our people can do their best work. Whether you're joining our operations, sales or head office teams, you'll be part of a fast-growing European hospitality group built on our values of curiosity, drive, collaboration, kindness, and respect. We're a diverse and inclusive team that encourages you to bring your unique self to work - because we believe great hospitality starts with people who feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
The Director of New Openings & Integrations is responsible for leading the successful opening, integration and stabilisation of properties across the Staycity Group portfolio. Working across multiple brands, markets and jurisdictions, this role brings together Operations, Commercial, People, Brand, Development and Finance teams to ensure properties are operationally ready, commercially positioned for success and fully integrated into Staycity's operating model. The role leads cross-functional delivery throughout the opening and integration lifecycle, aligning stakeholders, managing risk and ensuring operational and commercial readiness. Success will depend on the ability to influence across functions, navigate complexity and deliver consistent outcomes across multiple projects and markets.
In addition to new openings, the role leads the integration of acquired and transitioning properties into Staycity's standards, systems and guest experience expectations, while helping build the scalable capability, frameworks and ways of working required to support the Group's future growth ambitions. This is a full-time, permanent role, based in the UK, with frequent long term travel required.
We would love you to have:
- Significant leadership experience (minimum 10 years) within hotel, aparthotel or lifestyle hospitality operations, including responsibility for multi-site openings, integrations or mobilisation programmes.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering hotel or aparthotel openings and integrations across multiple sites, countries and jurisdictions.
- Experience within lifestyle and/or select-service hospitality environments.
- Strong commercial awareness, including revenue management, rate strategy, opening budgets and asset performance.
- Experience leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, dependencies and competing priorities.
- Strong understanding of hotel operations across Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Food & Beverage and support functions.
- Experience working with owners, landlords, developers and asset stakeholders throughout the opening lifecycle.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels, including Executive and C-Suite stakeholders.
- Proven ability to identify risks early, escalate appropriately and drive solutions in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to bring structure, clarity and pace to complex, fast-moving environments.
- A calm, pragmatic and solutions-focused leadership style, with the ability to build alignment and momentum through change.
What you can do for us:
- Lead the successful opening, integration and stabilisation of properties across the Staycity Group portfolio.
- Partner with General Managers and cross-functional teams to ensure properties are operationally ready and commercially positioned for success.
- Lead operational due diligence and integration planning for acquisitions, transitions and new properties joining the portfolio.
- Build and manage critical paths, project plans and governance processes across multiple concurrent projects.
- Drive alignment across Operations, Commercial, People, Brand, Development and Finance teams.
- Influence decision-making across multiple functions and stakeholder groups to ensure successful delivery.
- Identify, manage and escalate project risks, ensuring successful delivery against agreed timelines.
- Support the development of scalable frameworks, playbooks and ways of working that enable future growth across the portfolio.
- Help build the capability required to support an increasingly ambitious opening pipeline across multiple brands and markets.
Operational Execution and Readiness
- Ensure all operational standards, systems and processes are implemented and tested prior to opening.
- Coordinate readiness activities across all operational departments.
- Lead operational testing, scenario planning and soft opening activities.
- Ensure teams are trained, mobilised and prepared to deliver from day one.
- Support General Managers in transitioning properties from mobilisation into stable trading operations.
- Ensure all regulatory, compliance, health and safety and licensing requirements are met.
People & Team Leadership:
- Support, coach and develop General Managers through the opening and integration lifecycle.
- Partner with People teams to recruit, onboard and mobilise opening teams.
- Build alignment and collaboration across multiple stakeholder groups and project teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor and leader during periods of change and uncertainty.
- Foster a culture of accountability, pace, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Commercial & Brand Alignment
- Work closely with Commercial teams to support revenue readiness, rate strategy and trading ramp-up.
- Ensure revenue systems, booking engines, channel managers and distribution channels are configured and tested ahead of opening.
- Manage opening budgets and monitor performance throughout stabilisation periods.
- Ensure properties launch in line with brand standards, guest experience expectations and commercial objectives.
- Partner with Brand and Development teams to ensure successful delivery of the end-to-end guest proposition.
- Balance operational decisions with commercial outcomes, ensuring properties are positioned for long-term success.
Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain and evolve opening and integration playbooks, toolkits and governance frameworks.
- Capture lessons learned and implement improvements following each opening and integration.
- Develop scalable processes and best practices that support future growth ambitions.
- Share knowledge and build capability across the wider business.
- Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity and emerging best practice.
This role is aligned to Level 3 (Director) within the Staycity Group leadership framework. Level 3 (Director) leaders shape organisational capability and deliver enterprise-wide impact across multiple functions. They lead complex initiatives, influence senior stakeholders, build scalable capability, and drive outcomes that support the organisation's long-term growth and success.
Director of New Openings & Integration - London employer: Wilde
At Staycity Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration, respect, and continuous growth. Our commitment to modern hospitality is matched by our dedication to our employees, offering extensive development opportunities and a supportive environment where your unique contributions are valued. Based in London, this role not only allows you to lead exciting new openings across Europe but also provides the chance to work within a diverse team that champions innovation and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of New Openings & Integration - London
✨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!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
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 Wilde. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Wilde
Don't be shy about reaching out to Wilde 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 Director of New Openings & Integration - London
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 Wilde 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 Wilde
✨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!
