The Opportunity
The Openings & Conversions Project Lead role is a dynamic role focused on overseeing and ensuring a seamless transition for new and existing hotel properties. This role combines project management, training, and operational support with a strong emphasis on brand standards during hotel openings or the transition process. If you're considering this role, you should be comfortable with frequent travel, highly organized, and able to train teams on a variety of operational and brand standards. You will be part of a team that is passionate about our purpose, committed to nurturing curiosity and new skills, and building connections across the organization with colleagues, customers, and guests.
The Role
This role requires a high level of expertise in hospitality and project management, especially in operations, training, and brand standards, as well as the capability to oversee multiple large-scale projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
Training & Operational Support:
• Act as a corporate resource for hotel openings, focusing on training and supporting hotels in Food and Beverage,
• Rooms, Brand Standards, Quality Assurance, Brand Programs, and Operational Efficiencies.
• Deliver on-site training for hotels that require operational improvements, as directed by the Regional VPs of Operations, VP of Openings & Transitions, and the Director of Openings & Transitions.
• Pre-opening & Conversion Management:
• Host and manage pre-opening, Conversion, and de-flag calls for all assigned hotels.
• Liaise with property RVPs, document call details, and distribute notes for follow-up. Upload all relevant documentation to Pacer.
• HyBar Meeting Preparation:
• Host virtual HyBar training for assigned openings, collaborating with design services, project services, engineering, and operations to ensure the hotel opening is on track and identify adjustments as necessary.
• Scheduling and Conference Calls: Schedule and conduct conference calls with hotels and vendors to review Food and Beverage Brand Approved Products, training schedules, and operational progress during the pre-opening phase.
• Training & Mentorship: Develop training schedules tailored to each hotel opening and arrange discussion calls with hotels to confirm their readiness.
• Guide hotels in implementing Brand Programs, F&B updates, and in managing relationships with approved vendors and brand-approved products.
• Monitor the critical path toolkit for the hotel opening, communicate with hotels to ensure milestones are being met, and adjust plans when necessary.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaborate closely with the hotel's executive team, management companies, owners, Project Services, IT, Vendors, and on-site Project Management during the hotel opening week to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Updating Hyatt's Systems & Resources:
• Update and edit content on HyattConnect and Pacer, ensuring all departmental resources are current and easily accessible to relevant teams.
• Work closely with Operations leads to update F&B guides, recipes, setups, equipment, and food training materials.
• Commitment to Core Values:
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Hyatt's core values throughout the role, ensuring that the company's standards and culture are reflected in the work done.
• Extensive knowledge of Hyatt's operations, brand standards, and tools.
• Strong organizational and communication skills for managing multiple tasks, calls, and timelines. Leadership and mentoring abilities to support hotel teams and improve operational performance.
• Willingness to travel on short notice: This role requires a strong degree of flexibility with travel arrangements, especially if hotel opening dates change unexpectedly. You should be ready to modify travel plans at short notice to ensure that all hotel openings receive timely support.
• Work during holidays: Given the nature of hotel openings, you may need to be available during holidays, working when needed to support the team and ensure the hotel is ready for its opening.
• Consecutive days away from home: The role requires the ability to spend 8-9 consecutive nights or more away from home while on assignment. This could involve being on-site for extended periods, providing on-the-ground support during crucial stages of hotel openings.
• Handling diverse audiences: You will work with a wide range of individuals, including hotel staff, vendors, executives, and operations teams. Effectively communicating and engaging with people from various backgrounds and differing levels of expertise will be crucial for success.
• Quick-thinking and problem-solving: Traveling and training in different environments will require the ability to think on your feet, especially when challenges arise unexpectedly. Whether it's a logistical issue or a staffing challenge, you'll need to be adaptable and quick to find solutions. Being proactive in identifying potential issues before they arise and creating effective solutions under time constraints.
• Managing setbacks: The hotel opening process can present unforeseen obstacles, such as delays in permits, staffing shortages, or last-minute operational challenges. It's crucial to remain calm, stay focused, and develop a plan to address any setbacks that may occur. The ability to adapt and troubleshoot on-site will be vital to keeping the opening on schedule.
