Opening with: Hilton
Location: Dubai
Position looking for: Senior Director of F&B Development
Reporting to: the VP F&B Strategy & Development EMEA,
Responsibility :
Supporting the EMEA F&B Development,
Openings & Operations team,
Managed Estate Hotel GMs and Hilton owners’ representatives to source strong commercial F&B solutions with world-class third-party F&B operators and brands.
Supports the F&B regional directors to source solutions for our properties where there are opportunities to convert existing challenging areas of the hotel property into commercially driven F&B areas.
Involve close liaison and collaboration with F&B Brand Services, Architectural, and Development team, Hilton Brand teams, Legal and Finance departments to create best in class F&B partnerships and solutions for all the hotels in the managed estate. On occasion, support is required for our franchise hotel owners to provide innovative solutions for the properties.
Having strong F&B experience globally will help in identifying good third-party operators, best in class F&B brands in order to create F&B destinations in all our Hilton Hotel brands.
Requirement :
Dynamic, flexible, able to work independently and can drive a best in a class deal that is commercial, relevant for the property and will bring the owners a return.,
The candidate will have first-class relationship building skills and be prepared to represent several parties including but not limited to Hilton Managed properties, investors, and third-party F&B operators in most contractual negotiations.
A strong black book of contacts is a must and an ability to stay on top of F&B market trends and which third party brands are receptive to developing and working with Hilton as a must.
The Senior Director of F&B Development will support the EMEA F&B Strategy & Development VP to execute a clear plan on delivering the best and innovative F&B.
Accountability :
Support the VP F&B Strategy deliver the EMEA F&B Strategy, annual plan, and key business objectives by delivering best in class F&B Business Development.
Sourcing suitable brands and investors for the F&B spaces in existing properties and new properties under development.
Researching the latest restaurant trends, customer trends, franchisees, operators, and market research using the key successful markets e.g. New York, London, and Hong Kong.
Daily negotiating, deal developing, and working alongside restaurant franchisors and investors to manage many different levels of personalities often brand owners and high net worth individuals.
Working and identifying reputable restaurant brands & operators, preparing brand presentations for review & distribution to internal teams. Delivering strong presentations to the hotel owners and their teams.
Partially responsible with our operations teams for rolling out standardized franchise restaurant concepts, providing well-defined thought through operational franchises for the hotel operations with the relevant franchise brand and the franchisor.
Review product & service standards for the proposed franchise food & beverage concepts and operators at their home-based location to check authenticity and ability to replicate in other locations. Traveling to and from third party brand locations to check their capabilities and ensure they will be a good fit with Hilton and its owners.
Evaluate and identify business opportunities for new and additional concepts & programs that support Luxury & Lifestyle brands.
Work with the Hilton Legal department on the contractual phase of all restaurant commercial agreements.
Work with the relevant finance, feasibility, or owners finance teams across all open properties & developing properties on the outsourced restaurant solution ROI / P&L model to demonstrate the impact of a branded restaurant or lease operation into the determined spaces of the hotel.
Support Hilton and owners if the agreement is unsuccessful and a negotiated exit or legal case is required. This will involve strong negotiating, commercial and interpersonal skills to limit damage to Hilton and its owners. This will also involve collaboration with Corporate Comms and third party brands PR.
Prepare departmental presentations for use as communications.
Develop strategies and directions for the restaurant development team, evaluating efforts to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization
Oversee remote team members based in other Hilton offices
Coordinate and track the status of new F&B project development across EMEA.
Coordinate and track the contracts for all outsourced venues across EMEA
Work with key stakeholders within Hotel Operations, Technical Services, Legal department, Development, Design, and Supply Management to ensure all parties assist and support the restaurant concept & design process.
Ensure continued communication and regular meetings with the F&B Operations team, Hotel Operations, and other internal stakeholders.
Ensure continued communication with Luxury & Lifestyle, Full Service, and Focused service brand management teams.
Streamline business processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness within the department.
Create suitable objectives that tie into the overall objectives of the F&B development team
Strong understanding of real estate and asset models. Ability to build an ROI/ P&L
Good understanding of leasing/JV/Franchising / contractual partnerships
First-class networking and influencing skills
Passion for F&B and hospitality
Key Business Partnerships:
EMEA F&B Corporate Team
VP Operations EMEA
Corporate Operations Teams (Business Development, Commercial, Finance, Feasibility, Corporate Comms)
GM & Hotel Teams
Brand Services
Legal
Hotel Owners and owners’ team.
Third-Party suppliers & Business Partners
Third-Party F&B Brands & owners of these brands
Celebrity Chefs
Third-party Real Estate Agents / Leasing Agents
What benefits will I receive?
Your benefits will include a competitive starting salary and holiday entitlement. As an employee, you will become a member of the Go Hilton Team Member Travel Program, which provides reduced hotel room rates for you, your family & friends. We look forward to explaining in detail the range of excellent benefits that you would expect from a global hotel organization like Hilton.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for an accomplished all-round F&B skilled individual who holds relevant F&B entrepreneurship skills and is able to work alone and can deliver strong commercial results. Critical to this role will be the ability to think outside the box and lead an organization through a journey of change and development to deliver the best in class F&B brands and operators that will be the envy of our competitors. Further, success in this role will demonstrate itself through the following attributes and skills:
Creative thinking and an individual who is not only aware of but can develop F&B trends through our F&B concepts partnerships with a commercial lens. This could be by implementing first-class long-term third-party relationships or by creating pop up agreements that could lead to new brands in hotels across EMEA.
First-class communication skills in order to work with owners, owners’ representatives, Hilton Leadership team, and restaurant owners, and organizations. Ability to work with third party Real Estate agencies and landlords.
Strong commercial skills and an understanding of real estate commercials and contractual arrangements
Strong negotiation skills and an understanding of the process behind restaurant contract deal-making and has the ability to work through difficult commercial discussions presenting innovative solutions when deals meet a stalemate or look to abort which is commonplace. Thinking outside the box and solutions are required.
Interpersonal communicators, who will positively influence stakeholders and Hilton’s partners and with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
Self-starters, who take initiative in implementing goals, operate under time constraints, and possess the adaptability to change.
Accountable individuals, who have a deep understating of F&B strategy and effectively exceed in meeting deadlines, communicating results, and recommending improvements.
Strategic thinkers with the ability to formulate effective goals, objectives, and priorities with a long-term perspective.
Individuals who keep up with industry trends and seek opportunities to leverage within the Hilton business both front and back of the house.
It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:
University Degree or Strong F&B knowledge and at least 5 years in Franchising and leasing restaurants or working within the retail/ leisure sector
Minimum or Operational F&B experience of 10 years
Budget Expertise
Highly numerical, analytical with strong interpersonal skills
Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills
Highly creative and artistic individual
Ability to think outside the box
Proficient in MS Office Suite
First-class presentation skills
Willingness to travel across EMEA as required
The second language highly desired
