Author: Katherine Wyles

Cluster Director of S & M, Prague – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is an internationally known brand that represents style and luxury all over the world.

They now have an super opportunity for a Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing to be based in the historic and beautiful city of Prague. Covering two hotels in the city, both properties have strong Directros of Sales and therefore it would be beneficial to locate a candidate with a strong marketing background who has an understanding of online business and digital marketing.

Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the total hotel revenue generation in line with the vision, mission and beliefs of the Company. They will maximise the hotel’s revenues by increasing occupancy at best rates and making profitable use of all relevant outlets (e.g. restaurants, events, Spa etc.). They will oversee the sales, marketing, PR, conference and events teams, setting strategies and targets for each revenue stream and overseeing their achievement of these objectives. They will work to build highly effective and aligned teams through communication, motivation and training and the Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing will build effective partnerships with like-minded and luxury and upscale brands to build and grow the business both in terms of revenue and positioning. They will also establish and maintain good business relations with key corporate clients, e.g. airlines, DMC’s, OTA’s, travel agencies, tourist offices, etc.)

The main focus of the role is to reposition the hotels with a correct marketing message. Repositioning within the leisure sector (the properties are out of the city centre) and managing the USPs will be important. The successful candidate will need to be highly engaging, involved, global thinker, with a “let’s do” attitude, commercially minded who can connect with people. “Work hard and play hard” is the motto of the team. Nurture the team with a positive attitude, support people.

Candidate Requirements

  • 3-5 years in a similar position in a similar sized and star rated hotel.
  • Experience in managing multiple departments/teams.
  • Excellent knowledge of hotel systems e.g. Opera PMS/S&C
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
  • Digital marketing understanding (desirable)
  • Written and verbal fluency in English. Fluency in another major language and added advantage
  • Analytical and numerate
  • Must be eligible to work in the country
  • Willing to travel (30-40% Travel to US and Europe)
  • Ideally an Undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Hospitality Management, Tourism, Marketing or Finance

For more information or to apply, plase contact Mara at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 20 8600 1169

Is Hospitality really the most stressful industry in the UK?

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

April is Stress Awareness Month, and after a number of publications last year reported that 57% of hospitality employees regularly experience high levels of stress, we want to ask if hospitality really is the most stressful industry in the UK? 

The most stressful industry in the UK? 

In July last year, a report from addiction and rehab specialist Delamere, on the toxicity of the hustle culture, gave a breakdown on stress in various industries. This report was picked up in a number of other articles at the time, and presented hospitality as the most stressful industry in the UK. According to the report, 57.1% of “Accommodation and Food Service” workers reported poor mental health, more than Health and Social Care and Manufacturing which rounded out the top three places. The data to back this up were attributed to Lifeworks’ monthly Mental Health Index. These figures tend to vary by month and while Hospitality is no longer considered the worst offender in terms of workplace stress, it still rates consistently low in areas such as Average Hours Worked and Work-Life Balance.  

The impact of stress on retention rates 

Long Hours and Work-Life Balance, contribute highly towards levels of stress, which can eventually lead to burnout, especially if the level of commitment to the business and its culture begins to wane. Inevitable this can lead to reduced productivity and employee retention levels.  

Last year, we published The Battle for Retention which looked at a number of other factors that can affect employee turnover. 

Advice on how to tackle stress in the workplace consistently revolves around how to spot it in yourself, and in your employees. As individuals, we all have a responsibility to ourselves to recognise when we are working too hard or neglecting our personal commitments. Hospitality Action is a charity that supports hospitality employees both inside and outside of the workplace. In their Advice Hub, they share expert advice and information on how to get further support on a range of issues, including Stress.  

 Signs of stress can include:  

  • Difficulty sleeping 
  • Feeling irritated with family, friends or co-workers 
  • Drinking more than usual 
  • Struggling with work deadlines 
  • Feeling isolated and lonely 
  • Physical symptoms such as: panic attacks, headaches, chest pains, indigestion, dizziness, nausea, sweating, breathing problems 

Mental health charity Mind recommends some ways to manage it including:  

  • Identify your triggers – Try to prepare for stress by recognising what sets it off 
  • Organise your time – Make a list of your tasks and approach them in order of urgency 
  • Be clear about your limits – While it isn’t always possible to say no to things, let people know if you don’t have the capacity to fulfil their demands 
  • Try to take a short break – it may seem counter-intuitive to take a break when you are stressed but if you can allow yourself one, this can help how you feel
  • Develop interests and hobbies – Outside of work, try to make time for what you enjoy to take you away from stress 
  • Get enough sleep 
  • Stay physically active 
  • Eat a balanced diet 
  • Spend time in nature 
  • Build a support network – having friends and family, or finding support at work to talk through why you feel stressed can make a big difference 

Employers also have a duty to instill a workplace culture that can help spot the signs of stress and empower them to engage with employees on a more personal level, especially if they are seeing symptoms of stress in the team or in individuals. According to the Health and Safety Executive, signs of stress in a team can include:  

  • Increase in arguments amongst staff 
  • Higher staff turnover 
  • More reports of stress 
  • More sickness absence 
  • Decreased performance 
  • More complaints and grievances  

In individuals, leaders may notice a change in the way people act or feel, such as:  

  • Taking more time off 
  • Arriving for work later 
  • Being more twitchy or nervous 
  • Mood swings 
  • Being withdrawn 
  • A loss of motivation, commitment and confidence 
  • Increased emotional reactions – being more tearful, sensitive or aggressive

In addition to the free support for hospitality employees, Hospitality Action also offers a number of support packages including Stress and Resilience Training, designed to bolster the resilience and wellbeing of your employees. 

If you would like support with your people strategy in 2023, Madison Mayfair are here for you. With a superb track record in finding the right people for the right role, we have long standing relationships with clients and candidates and we can help guide you through challenging and sometimes stressful times.  

If you would like to chat about your people strategy, please contact us on +44 20 8600 1180.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Manager, Paris CDG – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We are currently looking for a General Manager for an internationally branded hotel which is located at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

As General Manager, this individual will be responsible for delivering the annual budget through agreed commercial strategies. Candidates should have successful experience in managing all the key business functions required of a GM, including operations, finance, sales, revenue and e-commerce – all in an upscale/luxury branded environment.  A hands-on operator with strong people management skills driving employee engagement and delivering the highest levels of customer service.

Candidate Requirements

  • A highly experienced General Manager with internationally branded hotel groups, minimum 3 years’ experience as General Manager in a medium or large hotel
  • Previous career experience working in a branded city centre or airport property
  • A strong understanding of sales and marketing, revenue and e-commerce
  • Excellent organisational and planning skills
  • Proven leadership skills involving the ability to manage, develop and motivate a strong executive team to achieve their objectives
  • A positive and motivated hands-on approach
  • Fluent English and French speaker
  • Experience in positively managing a unionized workforce
  • Proven track record in client negotiations and account strategizing
  • Degree qualification – not essential but desirable

For more information or to apply, please contact Guy Lean at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 208 600 1180

Please note that due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

Corporate F&B Director, Italy – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is one of the largest privately held hospitality organisations in the world, with almost five hundred hotels across three continents (US/Canada, Europe & Asia) and has formed strategic alliances with many of the world’s largest hotel brands.  One of their portfolios, based in Italy, features Italy’s most impressive properties and provides rich, authentic experiences for avid travellers who seek a genuine Italian lifestyle. With stunning properties in Tuscany, Sardinia and the Italian Alps, the destinations offer their guests the perfect blend of business and leisure.

They are now seeking a Corporate Director of F & B to join this portfolio with the key responsibility of being able to define the business plan to optimise profitability of the F&B outlets across the portfolio. For this newly created position our client is aiming to identify a creative, entrepreneurial and experienced restaurant and bar management and service specialist to lead and drive the success of the company’s restaurant and bar offering across all of its portfolio assets.

 Candidate Requirements:

  • A hospitality professional that is able to deliver memorable dining experiences that makes guests and team members alike feel special
  • Possession of well-honed commercial instincts and financial management skills
  • Strategic experience within the F&B arena
  • Experience in developing and delivering new F&B concepts
  • Broad F&B exposure having worked in a strategic capacity for a hotel resort
  • Fluent in Italian
  • The ideal candidate will be an international food and beverage expert and have knowledge of F&B trends In Europe

Compensation:

Base salary and incentives will be commensurate with experience under an Quadro A Italian contract

For more information or to apply, please contact Mara at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 20 8600 1169

VP Development, Middle East – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is the region’s first and leading independent third-party hotel management company. Currently operating 10+ hotels across the region they are a forward thinking third party hotel management company dedicated to driving results for their Hotel owners.

They are now seeking a VP Development to join the company. This new role will be at the heart of the company’s hotel acquisition strategy across the region. With a strong network across the region, the successful individual will take the lead in securing hotel management agreements that fit the commercial framework by being exceptionally proactive in approach with the necessary energy and desire to drive the development process and seek out potential opportunities to negotiate and secure new hotel new management opportunities, which in turn will support in delivering the growth expectations by 2026.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

  • Proven Business Development experience and network within the hotel third party management sector
  • Energy, stamina, and flexibility to travel across the continent to source and close hotel management agreements
  • Previous experience working within a business development role
  • Previous exposure / understanding of hotel management agreements
  • Strong network across the brokers and Owners
  • Previous experience working in a hotel consultancy or hotel management company
  • Energy, hunger, and drive to close deals
  • Fluent in spoken and written English
  • Confident and excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to interact and build relationships with the investors and owners in the region
  • Financial acumen and commercially focused
  • Excellent (both verbal and written) communication and interpersonal skills

Highly Desirable

  • Experience closing a hotel management contract in Middle East
  • Fluent Arabic speaker

Due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

Managing Director, Milan – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is one of the largest privately held hospitality organisations in the world, with almost five hundred hotels across three continents (US/Canada, Europe & Asia) and has formed strategic alliances with many of the world’s largest hotel brands.

One of their portfolios, based in Italy, is now seeking a Managing Director to manage a diverse portfolio of hotels with revenue approaching €100m and will join a company that is known for its successes throughout Europe. This is a senior leadership position and will be a hands-on operations role with the focus being on the implementation of the company’s strategy.

Key objectives of the role

  • Instilling a broad commercial focus across the complete portfolio of hotels ensuring effective sales and revenue strategies to deliver business growth
  • Excellent leadership capabilities to manage property-based GM’s and work closely with the corporate team
  • Manage a diverse portfolio of hotels ranging from 4-star hotels to luxury boutique properties
  • Create and ensure a quality service and product meets customer expectations

Key skills and qualifications

  • An experienced multi-unit Director or Senior Area General Manager (minimum 3 or 4 hotels complex in nature), preferably with international hotel brand
  • Resort operations experience is desirable
  • A strong understanding of commercial functions, sales & marketing, and revenue
  • Fluent English and Italian speaker
  • Proven leadership skills including the ability to manage, develop and motivate a strong team to achieve their objectives
  • Knowledge of the multiple hotel markets
  • Experience in Italy would be desirable

Excellent Dirigente Compensation package based on experience including Basic salary, company bonus, company car.

For more information or to apply, please contact Mara at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 208 600 1169

Please note that due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

Deputy GM – London West End – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is one of the largest privately held hospitality organisations in the world, with almost 500 hotels across three continents (US/Canada, Europe & Asia) and have formed strategic alliances with many of the world’s largest hotel brands.

They now have an opportunity at one of their hotels based in the West End of London for a Deputy General Manager to join the team. This position of Deputy GM is a potential gateway to more senior leadership roles and if the candidate demonstrates that they have high potential will receive targeted mentorship and coaching. This is viewed as a senior leadership role, and this individual will be directly responsible for the operations and departmental profitability, with regards to all operational departments and then supporting the General Manager with Sales, Revenue and HR.

This is an opportunity to join an entrepreneurial company that is known for its successes throughout Europe and to be part of driving the continued strive for exceptional service and increasing profitability.

Candidate requirements

  • Experienced HOD, who also has experience working for branded hotels
  • Experience leading a department (preferably Rooms Division)
  • Good knowledge of Health & Safety is essential
  • Strong leader who will direct the team from the front and drive the same engagement from the entire hotel team
  • Passion and attention to detail
  • Target driven
  • Pre-opening/reopening experience would be preferred by not essential
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of maintaining presence and communicating effectively at all levels within the hotel and upwards to other key stakeholders
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate the results clearly, either through monthly performance reports or any other ad hoc financial analysis requested by the stakeholders

To apply, please contact Mara at mm@madisonmayfair.com

Please note that due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

 

 

 

Hotel Manager, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

A fantastic opportunity exists for a Hotel Manager to join the team at a luxurious lifestyle hotel situated in the West End of London.

The primary function of the role will be to support the General Manager in providing leadership across all areas of the hotel. The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and solution focused approach to managing the business and showcasing our client’s values by leading by example.

Candidate requirements

  • Minimum 3 years’ experience as a member of the Executive Team within the luxury market of the hotel industry
  • Strong understanding of forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, productivity, inventory controls, P&L analysis
  • Excellent knowledge of Opera, Fourth Hospitality and Microsoft Office
  • Possess exceptional understanding of hotel operations
  • Ability to communicate clearly, prompt, and accurately. With strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills in English and able to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organisation
  • Excellent organizational skills able to multi-task
  • Able to work on one’s own initiative, whether independently and as part of a team. A good collaborator

A full position description will be shared during the application process.

To apply, please contact Guy Lean at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 208 600 1180

Please note that due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Insights from the Annual Hotel Conference 2022

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

The “Peak of Uncertainty” 

Our very own Guy Lean attended the recent Annual Hotel Conference (AHC) and shares some of his observations and insights from the event.  

As Hoteliers and Investors prepared to attend the first sessions of the event in Manchester, news of the tax policy backtrack came through from Westminster, shifting the economic goalposts once again.  

We are becoming increasingly used to operating in a state of flux and it is no surprise that “adaptability” became a theme throughout the conference. One attendee even suggested that the AHC was taking place at the “Peak of Uncertainty” for the UK. 

Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester
The AHC has always been an impressive event and has grown year on year. It is generally considered to be a more intimate version of IHIF in Berlin, but since the UK continues to be the most valuable region in the European investment market, it is one that attracts a lot of interest from investors, owners and hotel executives.  It has always been innovative, being one of the first to go paperless and it has evolved to now offer a seamless app experience that gives more control back to the user. 

The Economy
As expected, the economy was the most common topic of discussion, but the most fascinating aspect of this was the general positivity that surrounded the event. There was a lot of talk at the beginning of 2022, about just trying to hit 2019 numbers. And actually, many attendees spoke of how they’ve shattered those numbers. 2022 has been a phenomenally positive year. The success could be partly attributed to the huge pent-up demand from customers, who were still catching up on delayed experiences.  

Forecast for 2023
Naturally, the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates are still keeping hoteliers cautious. As we plan for 2023 and another very uncertain future, there is continued pride in the resilience that has developed and embedded over the past couple of years. This ability to adapt to changing circumstances is no longer merely a tool to survive, but a highly prized asset now being used to drive success. A few of the speakers at AHC suggested that 2023 will be about bringing things back to basics, keeping things simple and doing what they do really well; cutting out waste and mistakes, looking after employees, working hard and ensuring that guests have great experiences time and time again. As a big rugby fan, it is a mantra that reminded me greatly of Paul O’Connell, former captain of the British & Irish Lions, who said “Let’s be the best at everything that requires no talent”.  

So how are investors planning for 2023? 
As costs continue to increase and the pent-up demand stabilises to normal levels, which business will continue to outperform the market?  

Investors are hopeful that energy prices will settle in the second half of 2023 and feel that there are still great opportunities out there, especially in the luxury market. While the economy hospitality sector will be less able to pass inflation costs onto the consumer, luxury hotels have a history of being able to do exactly that and are seen as a safer hedge against inflation.  

ESG Investments
The Investor influence is also being strongly felt in terms of ESG. An investment in a building is generally planned for longer-term value, and buildings that exceed current sustainability measures will be better placed to future-proofing their investments. Inevitably, operators are now being forced to prove their eco-credentials, with roadmaps to carbon net zero and green certifications now de rigeur for attracting investment. If they can’t do this, then then they simply won’t get the funding they are looking for. As the competition for corporate clients in 2023 is also likely to rely heavily on eco-friendly commitments, ESG is no longer a can to be kicked down the road. It is here and now, and needs to be treated with care and authenticity if you’re going to progress. 

Recruitment
I couldn’t sum up the event without also looking at the current state of recruitment. We’ve all heard about how businesses have struggled to recruit since the pandemic and the phrase “War for Talent” has been used frequently. At AHC, the operators that were most positive about the future tended to be the ones who spoke of strong cultures in the workplace. Being great communicators and focussing on retention has helped them drive employee satisfaction, keep their best talent and consequently helped attract new candidates when needed.  

From our experience, there is no doubt that there is a huge pool of talent out there, but they may just be a little more selective about where they will move next and are looking to work with employers that share their values.  

If you would like to arrange a chat about your recruitment strategies or to discuss any points raised in this article, then please get in touch on +44 (0)208 600 1182 or +44 (0)7813 009 787 or guylean@madisonmayfair.com 

 

VP Sales, Revenue & Marketing – UK – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This job opening has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Based in the United States, our client is a Hospitality Management firm for a select profile of the most trusted, bold, and innovative hotels, resorts, restaurants, and hospitality brands.

Their success is built on a unique style of entrepreneurial management and ownership mentality that enables them to provide each of their properties with the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of the skill and experience at a larger company. They continue to invest heavily in their people, services, and infrastructure, to create value and optimize financial performance throughout their portfolio.

They now wish to hire a Vice President of Sales, Revenue & Marketing. This role will have total oversight of these separate functions within the portfolio and curate all business development initiatives ranging from product concept to revenue and customer conversion to ensure proactive strategies are in place for continuous revenue improvement and market share gain.  The role takes a hands-on approach with the hotel teams to ensure leadership aligns for success, including recruiting, mentoring, and training. This position acts as an active participant on many brand advisory groups and consistently continues to strengthen relationships with brand executives.  Will also have total oversight of marketing functions within the portfolio working in conjunction with the marketing team and the discipline leader. Additional responsibilities include all brand campaigns, digital marketing execution, brand experience partnerships and field marketing deployment working in conjunction with the specific discipline leaders. This position has led responsibility to implement paid media and content strategy across the portfolio.

Key skills and qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or hotel management, from 4-year college or equivalent knowledge and experience.
  • 10+ years of prior professional experience in the hotel sales & marketing industry
  • Able to execute a Marketing Plan to enhance revenue
  • Strong business writing ability, attention to detail, organizational and analytical skills
  • Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing across all levels of the organization in a clear and concise manner
  • Self-motivated and task oriented with the ability to work independently and also collaborate well with others
  • Proficient skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are required for this position
  • Present confidence and a professional appearance
  • Travel required

To apply, please contact Guy Lean at mm@madisonmayfair.com or call on +44 208 600 1180

Please note that due to the expected level of response, it will only be possible to contact candidates who have the relevant and required level of experience.

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