Director of Design & Technical Services - Mantis

Mantis, part of the Luxury & Lifestyle division of Accor, is a leading, conservation-focused hotel group with eco-lodges, waterways and curated eco-resorts located all over the world. Sustainable travellers have been enjoying eco-tourism, safaris and adventure travel with Mantis since 2000. Rooted in conservation, Mantis pursues sustainable business practices and develops tourism products that are respectful of the environment and communities in which they operate.

Whether small and intimate or vast and complex, on a sweeping African plain, beach-side escape or bustling city, each is an exceptional place for guests to find themselves. While uniquely different in the experiences they offer, all are linked through a collective obsession to be extraordinary, to be rare in a world that mass-produces sameness.

Director of Design & Technical Services - Mantis

The position is responsible for leading the planning, design review, and approval process of new-built and renovation projects for Accor’s Mantis Brand, from the initial assessment of leads to project completion and handover to operations, in accordance with the relevant Accor/Mantis brand standards. He/she will be the primary point of contact for the owner on all assigned projects after handover from Development and will lead the design review and approval process in accordance with the services set out in the Hotel Consultant Service Agreement (HCSA) for the project. The primary focus of his/her review will be related to alignment with the overall vision and strategic goals, incorporation of operational input, architectural design and planning, and other technical aspects of the design not covered by others.

He/she will be responsible for managing between 10 and 20 projects at various stages of design and construction and will be expected to travel approximately 20-30% for project-related meetings and site inspections.

Key Interactions

Internally

• D&TS Luxury & Lifestyle Team
• Development team
• Operations team
• Marketing team
• Brand team
• IT team
• Procurement team
• Wellness team
• F&B team
• Hotel Pre-Opening team

Externally

• Owners
• Consultants

Primary Responsibilities

D&TS Project

• Review potential projects identified by the Development Department and prepare High-Level Reports and/or Property Improvement Plans.
• Assist in preparing Preliminary Area Programs.
• Assist in preparing the project Design Brief and planning diagrams.
• Prepare the list of preferred consultants for the project.
• Lead the internal visioning workshop and prepare the final Visioning Statement.
• Provide input as required for the Brand Validation presentation.
• Circulate relevant brand standards for the project and advise on their interpretation and application as required throughout the duration of the project.
• Lead project kick-off meetings with both the owner and the consultants.
• Review and comment on all project documentation produced by the consultants for compliance with brand standards and design direction.
• Coordinate feedback from all other internal stakeholders, particularly the D&TS MEP Director and ID Lead for the project.
• Review the mock-up room and on-site installations for compliance with the approved design and relevant brand standards.
• Assist the Pre-Opening team in developing the critical path for handover and opening, including participating in final inspections and creating punch lists of deficiencies.

Other Responsibilities

• Prepare periodic reports on the status of projects, anticipated openings, etc.
• Prepare project presentations using standard templates as advised for internal approval of design and other aspects of the project.
• Assist in updating and enhancing the brand standards and project procedures as required.

Main Complexity/Critical Issues in the Job

• Find the right approach with owners and designers/consultants to ensure compliance with as much of the brand standards and brand essence as possible.
• Facilitate, maintain, and improve a common understanding of brand requirements among Marketing, Development, Operations, Technical Services, and other internal departments to present a unified front to owners and consultants.

• Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Design, Architecture, Engineering, or Project Management.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the hotel industry, working on luxury projects.
• Specific experience in luxury safari projects or remote projects would be desirable, as well as an understanding of sustainability and conservation.
• Strong user knowledge of Acrobat, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Office (AutoCAD being a benefit).
• Good ability to sketch design intent or solutions.

Competencies

• Strong verbal and written English language skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of employees.
• Good understanding of luxury standards with an eye for detail.
• Service-oriented with decision-making based on guest experience.
• Good understanding of the process of development, design, and construction.
• Good team-working skills and the ability to work effectively and contribute to a team.
• Good presentation and influencing skills.
• Multicultural awareness and the ability to work with people from diverse cultures.
• Flexible and able to embrace and respond to change effectively.
• Ability to work independently and have good initiative in a dynamic environment.
• Self-motivated and energetic.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor? We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

About Mantis Collection: Mantis is a boutique hospitality group that was founded by conservationist Adrian Gardiner in 2000, with its main focus predominantly in Africa and the Middle East. Mantis grew from Adrian’s vision to restore and rewild degraded farmland which he developed into a widely-acclaimed Private Game Reserve. This was the first private game reserve in the Eastern Cape and the beginning of eco-tourism in a poverty-stricken province that had few opportunities outside of commercial farming. Adrian and the Mantis team successfully created a place where man and nature could co-exist sustainably. From this initial success, the Mantis model was then developed worldwide, understanding that consumers could use the Mantis portfolio as a mark of quality, consistency and character. Today the diverse portfolio of handpicked properties links up to create travel journeys, which offer guests the opportunity to experience the essence of the location in a setting of tailored luxury. Rooted in conservation, Mantis pursues sustainable business practices and develops tourism products that are respectful of the environment and communities in which they operate.

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS