Director of Project

Raffles Seychelles, part of the esteemed Raffles Hotels & Resorts, boasts 20 ultra-luxury properties worldwide, some featuring exclusive branded residences. In 2023-24, four new Raffles hotels will be unveiled. The brand, named after Sir Stamford Raffles, exudes elegant British charm while catering to the modern lifestyles of well-travelled guests. With warm, personalized service and iconic Raffles Butlers, we offer an atmosphere of generosity.

Our hotels are not just accommodations; they are art museums, culinary hubs with renowned chefs, and pioneers in next-gen wellness experiences. We prioritize cultural and natural heritage preservation, employing experts within our properties. At Raffles, guests transform into friends and eventually become family. It's a place to celebrate, explore, exchange ideas, and discover a new dimension of luxury that resonates with emotions as gracefully as the Raffles name itself.

Position Summary

The Director of Projects is responsible for the strategic planning, development, execution, and successful delivery of all capital projects, renovations, asset enhancement initiatives, infrastructure developments, and owner-funded projects across the resort. The role acts as the primary liaison between ownership, hotel operations, consultants, contractors, designers, government authorities, and brand representatives to ensure projects are delivered safely, on budget, on schedule, and in compliance with all brand and regulatory requirements.

The Director of Projects will oversee the full project lifecycle from feasibility and concept development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, handover, and defect liability management while minimizing operational disruption and protecting the guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead the planning and execution of all capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and development initiatives.
• Develop long-term asset enhancement strategies aligned with ownership objectives and brand standards.
• Provide technical and commercial recommendations to ownership and executive leadership regarding project priorities and investment opportunities.
• Support feasibility studies, business cases, project due diligence, and return-on-investment analysis.

Project Planning & Delivery

• Manage the full project lifecycle from concept development through final handover.
• Establish project schedules, milestones, budgets, procurement plans, and execution strategies.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved scope, budget, quality, and timeline parameters.
• Monitor project performance through regular reporting, progress reviews, and risk assessments.
• Lead project commissioning, testing, snagging, handover, and close-out processes.

Design & Technical Management

• Coordinate architects, engineers, interior designers, specialist consultants, and brand representatives.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialist systems designs.
• Ensure compliance with luxury hospitality design standards and operational requirements.
• Identify value engineering opportunities while maintaining design integrity and guest experience standards.

Construction Management

• Oversee contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project consultants throughout project execution.
• Conduct regular site inspections and progress reviews.
• Monitor quality assurance, safety compliance, workmanship standards, and construction methodologies.
• Resolve technical, commercial, and operational challenges impacting project delivery.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage project budgets and cash flow forecasts.
• Review and approve project valuations, invoices, variation orders, and contractor claims.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets.
• Support procurement negotiations and contract administration.
• Provide detailed financial reporting to ownership and executive management.

Stakeholder & Owner Relations

• Serve as the primary project liaison between ownership, hotel operations, brand representatives, consultants, contractors, and authorities.
• Present project updates, risks, mitigation plans, and progress reports to executive leadership and owners.
• Coordinate project activities to minimize disruption to resort operations and guest satisfaction.
• Facilitate effective communication across all project stakeholders.

Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Manage permitting, approvals, environmental requirements, and authority submissions.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, health and safety requirements, environmental standards, and brand guidelines.
• Coordinate with government agencies, utility providers, and regulatory bodies as required.

Risk Management

• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Manage change control procedures and project governance processes.
• Review contractual obligations and support dispute resolution where necessary.
• Maintain project contingency planning and business continuity considerations.

Operational Integration

• Collaborate closely with resort operational leaders to ensure project delivery aligns with business needs.
• Coordinate project schedules around occupancy levels and operational priorities.
• Support pre-opening and operational readiness activities for new facilities and enhancements.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project managers, engineers, consultants, and project support personnel.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Drive project governance and reporting standards across all initiatives.
• Foster strong relationships with ownership representatives, contractors, and industry partners.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Project Management, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications in project management are desirable (PMP, PRINCE2, RICS, CIOB, etc.).

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in project management, construction management, real estate development, or hospitality development.
• Proven experience managing luxury hospitality projects, resorts, mixed-use developments, or large-scale asset enhancement initiatives.
• Experience representing owners, developers, or hospitality operators on complex development projects.
• Strong understanding of design management, procurement, construction delivery, commissioning, and handover processes.
• Experience managing project budgets in excess of USD 20 million preferred.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Project Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Financial Acumen
• Contract Administration
• Construction Management
• Risk Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Commercial Awareness
• Decision Making
• Technical Expertise
• Change Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Luxury Hospitality Mindset

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Projects delivered on time and within budget.
• CAPEX budget adherence.
• Quality and defect-free handover achievement.
• Compliance with brand standards and regulatory requirements.
• Contractor performance and safety compliance.
• Reduction of operational disruption during project execution.
• Achievement of project ROI objectives.
• Owner satisfaction and stakeholder engagement scores.
• Timely completion of commissioning and handover milestones.