Job Purpose Provides strategic leadership for Design Onboarding and Brand Development Project Management, ensuring successful execution of the hotel onboarding lifecycle from contract execution through opening and first-year stabilization. Oversees hotel activation, design implementation, owner engagement, operational readiness, and post-opening performance initiatives to support long-term hotel success, owner satisfaction, and brand growth. Leads cross-functional collaboration to improve onboarding effectiveness, drive operational excellence, and create a seamless owner experience across the BWH Hotels portfolio.
Key Responsibilities - Leads and directs the Design Onboarding and Brand Development Project Management teams, ensuring alignment, accountability, and execution across the full hotel onboarding lifecycle.
- Develops and executes onboarding strategies, programs, and initiatives that support successful implementation of new construction, conversion, and renovation projects from agreement execution through hotel opening and stabilization.
- Provides leadership oversight for design onboarding, product implementation, design approvals, brand standards compliance, project management activities, operational readiness, and opening preparedness.
- Establishes departmental standards, policies, tools, scorecards, and best practices that create consistency, efficiency, and accountability across onboarding and activation functions.
- Collaborates with Brand Management, Development, Operations, Revenue Management, Digital, Marketing, Sales, Learning & Development, and Technology teams to ensure successful implementation and activation of new hotels.
- Oversees first-year hotel ramp-up initiatives and performance monitoring, including owner engagement, system adoption, operational readiness, revenue optimization opportunities, and post-opening support.
- Identifies opportunities to improve onboarding effectiveness, owner satisfaction, and hotel performance through process improvements, enhanced communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Develops executive-level reporting, performance metrics, and dashboards to measure onboarding effectiveness, hotel activation milestones, owner success, and first-year performance outcomes.
- Builds and maintains productive relationships with hotel owners, management companies, developers, internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and affiliate partners.
- Motivates and develops staff by assessing strengths and opportunities, providing coaching and development plans, implementing effective hiring and retention practices, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Meets financial objectives by developing departmental budgets, managing resources effectively, and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
- Maintains quality service by establishing and following company standards while supporting strategic business objectives and organizational growth.
Preferred Experience and Education - Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, hotel development, hotel operations, project management, onboarding, design, implementation, brand management, or related disciplines.
- Minimum 5 years of management experience leading teams and cross-functional business initiatives.
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience supporting hotel openings, renovations, conversions, franchise development, hotel onboarding, or multi-property portfolios preferred.
- Experience working directly with hotel owners, developers, franchisees, and management companies preferred.
Required Knowledge and Skills - Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Working knowledge of Smartsheet or similar project management platforms preferred.
- Strong presentation skills, including the ability to develop executive-level materials, business cases, dashboards, and strategic summaries.
- High level of executive presence, confidence, and diplomacy when engaging with senior leaders, hotel owners, and external stakeholders.
- Strong knowledge of hotel development, onboarding, implementation, design standards, and operational readiness processes.
- Financial and budgeting acumen with the ability to analyze business performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to influence across multiple departments and drive accountability without direct authority.
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management skills.
- Ability to manage complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and changing business needs.
- Conveys a strong sense of purpose and motivates teams to achieve organizational goals.
- Skilled in continuous improvement methodologies and process optimization.
- Resolves complex business challenges through collaboration, data analysis, and sound judgment.
- Makes effective decisions based on analysis, experience, and business impact.
- Attracts, retains, develops, and motivates high-performing teams.
- Demonstrates strong communication, relationship management, and change leadership capabilities.
Work Location - This is a hybrid position, requiring onsite presence Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at our Headquarters location, with the option to work remote on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Requires 5-day presence once per month during Board week. This hybrid model fosters intentional collaboration, teamwork, connection, and productivity while still providing flexibility and work-life balance. The office address is 6201 N 24th Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.
Travel- May travel up to 25%.
- Valid driver's license, serviceable automobile, and proof of insurance may be required.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.Benefits Summary for Full-Time Employees • Medical/Dental/Vision available day one
• Vacation/Sick- accruals start day one
• Paid company holidays and personal holidays to celebrate what's important to you
• 401K - company contribution and match (U.S.)
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) - company contribution and match (Canada)
• Employee discounts/hotel discounts
• Free financial and health wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
