Director of Rooms

We are looking for a Director of Rooms to join the pre-opening of SLS The Red Sea.

Ennismore, with its luxury brand SLS Hotels, is currently opening a magnificent project in the oasis that is The Red Sea. SLS The Red Sea is planned to open in 2025.

Introducing the newest gem of dazzling luxury to reach The Red Sea project: resort offers 150 luxurious keys, complemented by an impressive array of 7 distinct Food & Beverage outlets and a rejuvenating spa sanctuary. Catering to both adults seeking a getaway and families craving connection and some adventure, this hotel brings a wonderland of extraordinary experiences to The Red Sea, providing an array of amenities and activities tailored for travelers of all ages.

This project is not for the faint at heart.  At Ennismore, we are ambitious, and this project is a perfect example of that.  If you are looking to make your mark as we expand further into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, build an exciting hotel with lots to offer, and curate the team with some of the best and brightest in the lifestyle and luxury hospitality space, this might just be the right fit for you.

Has overall responsibility for providing leadership on pre-opening and operating hotel: management for the Rooms Division (Front Office, Concierge, and Butlers department) and be accountable for its asset and performance – i.e., Rooms revenue & profitability, competitive RevPar index, guest satisfaction, brand consistency and employee engagement. Also manages and drives performance to outsourced labor related to her Division (Valets, Limousine company).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain complete knowledge of:
  • All hotel features/services
  • All room types, numbers, layout, décor, appointments and locations
  • All room rates, special packages and promotions
  • Daily house count and expected arrivals/departures
  • Previous day’s pickup and anticipated business levels
  • Room availability status for any given day
  • Scheduled in-house group activities, locations and times
  • All hotel and divisional policies and procedures
  • Monthly forecast and budget items
• Tour hotel daily; audit staff adherence to SLS's service standards in all phases of service and job functions; follow up with designated employees where needed
• Review departmental/divisional profits, payroll expenses, rooms’ expenses, cost per occupied room, previous day’s occupancy and room revenues
• Conduct daily briefings, review all information pertinent to the day’s business
• Prepare weekly work schedules and Manager on Duty schedules in accordance with the staffing guidelines and labor forecasts; adjust schedules to meet business demands
• Conduct weekly meetings with departmental managers and review all information pertinent to the week’s business
• Observe and review guest feedback / comments and confer frequently with staff to ensure guest needs are being met
• Monitor and handle guest complaints in an expedient and effective manner
• Anticipate sold-out situations/and know how many rooms are overbooked; assist in locating alternative accommodations for guests and assist in “walking” and following up with guests, in accordance with hotel policies and procedures
• Review all out-of-order rooms daily with respective departments to determine most current status and estimated date for return to room inventory
• Complete work orders for submission to Engineering for prompt maintenance repairs
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and yearly Rooms Division financial forecasts
• Prepare annual capital expenditures report
• Monitor monthly status of all accrual categories, i.e., linen, bathrobes, uniforms, etc.
• Provide training and development opportunities for all management employees
• Conduct annual / semi-annual performance reviews for all managers; provide performance feedback to all staff; handle disciplinary problems and counsel managers and staff
• Facilitate divisional and departmental management meetings
• Monitor and facilitate all Internal Defect Reports relating to the Rooms Division
• Work with appropriate departments in setting future rates and special packages
• Assist with facilitation of all quality auditing processes
• Mentor and train appropriate employees for upward growth

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Solid business / financial acumen with good understanding of luxury hotel operations
• Good understanding of Property Management System
• Act as a role model in delivering elegant and understated service with sophistication
• Demonstrate leadership qualities to build strong employee engagement
• Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• Good communicator with fluency in English. 
• Proven organizational skills, able to set and meet deadlines with quality results.
• Good understanding of budgeting, forecasting, expenses and payroll control
• Executive presence – self assured exuding quiet confidence and humility

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience as a Director of Rooms in a luxury hotel.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Strong knowledge of computer systems (MS skills, etc.)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills