Director Strategic Development EMEA in City of London, London

Drive Strategic Growth Across EMEA We are looking for a Director of Strategic Development to play a pivotal role at the heart of our EMEA growth strategy. This position sits at the intersection of deal evaluation and execution, driving high-impact hotel portfolio and partnership opportunities across the region. You will be responsible for shaping, negotiating, and delivering complex deals—ensuring strong commercial outcomes aligned with long-term strategic objectives. A key part of the role is acting as a trusted advisor and deal leader, bringing together owners, operators, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful execution. What you’ll be doing Deal Strategy & Evaluation Assess new opportunities for strategic fit, financial viability, and operational feasibility Develop and refine deal structures (franchise, management, hybrid, membership models) Provide clear go / no-go / reshape recommendations to senior leaders Challenge assumptions and ensure robust decision-making Negotiation & Execution Lead negotiations with owners, investors, and partners Structure commercial and contractual terms to balance risk and maximise long-term value Work closely with Legal, Finance, and Operations to ensure smooth deal execution through to closure Stakeholder Management Align interests across brands, operator, and ownership groups Act as a key liaison across internal and external stakeholders Build and maintain strong relationships with investors, franchisees, partners, brokers, and advisors Development Process Oversight Coordinate the end-to-end development process, including: Site inspections Feasibility studies and financial modelling Due diligence and approvals Ensure operational practicality of all proposals—not just theoretical performance Why this role is exciting Shape the future of growth in EMEA: You’ll be at the forefront of expanding the business across diverse markets—directly influencing the company’s pipeline, partnerships, and long-term success. Own high-impact, complex deals: From evaluation to execution, you will lead some of the most strategic and commercially significant transactions in the region. Work at the crossroads of strategy and execution: This is not a purely analytical or purely executional role—you’ll combine both, turning strategic insight into real-world deals. High visibility and influence: You will partner with senior leaders, investors, and owners, acting as a trusted advisor and key decision-maker on major opportunities. Diverse stakeholder exposure: Engage with a broad network of owners, operators, investors, and industry experts—building relationships that shape the hospitality landscape. Autonomy and ownership: You’ll have the freedom to manage your pipeline, drive negotiations, and influence outcomes with a high degree of independence. Challenge conventional thinking: The role actively encourages you to question assumptions, rethink deal structures, and bring fresh perspectives to complex situations. Be part of a fast-moving, growth-focused environment: Join a team where innovation, ambition, and commercial thinking are central to everything we do. What we’re looking for 7–15 years’ experience in hospitality, such as: Hotel development, Asset management or operations, Hospitality advisory or consulting Proven experience negotiating franchise or hotel management agreements Strong understanding of owner, operator, and brand perspectives Experience in real estate or hospitality deal-making is highly advantageous Fluency in English (additional European languages are a plus) Strong commercial judgement with a long-term mindset Strong project management skills Deep understanding of industry structures and stakeholder dynamics Ability to break down complex deals into structured decision frameworks Confident and independent thinker who is comfortable to challenge assumptions Excellent negotiation and influencing skills Clear communicator, able to engage senior stakeholders effectively Living our Count On Me Service Culture You’ll thrive here if you are A personable and grounded individual who operates without ego and excels in a flat, collaborative environment A strong relationship-builder with the ability to influence and engage multiple stakeholders Commercially sharp and strategic, enjoying digging into the detail but always keeping the bigger picture in mind A confident deal maker and negotiator Naturally curious and questioning —you challenge, test, and refine ideas to get to the best outcome Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity to bring structure to multifaceted deals, stakeholders, and market dynamics Independent and proactive with the ability to manage own priorities, and drive results At your best in a fast-paced, evolving environment and stay focused even when deals become challenging. Passionate about hospitality and growth