Director of Rooms

Over the past two decades, The First Group has forged a reputation as one of the hospitality industry’s leading innovators, providing groundbreaking investment opportunities to clients and partners, while delivering exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests. Our corporate ethos and unique vision for the future of hospitality is encapsulated in our fast-growing portfolio of award-winning hotels and residences, exciting F&B outlets and lifestyle venues, and delivered through our array of complementary third-party hotel and asset management services.

Core to our vision for the future of hospitality is The First Collection, our award-winning hotel brand that reflects the rich culture, innovative spirit, and unparalleled refinement for which Dubai is famous for. The First Collection’s urban lifestyle resorts, situated in prime locations across Dubai, are renowned for their unique blend of world-class hospitality and modern flair, as well as their cutting-edge guest facilities and services, which include exclusive access to the stunning Soluna Restaurants and Beach Club, located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah.

Every hotel in our fast-growing portfolio reflects our ambition to capture the essence of urban living, blending it seamlessly with the tranquillity of a serene getaway. The First Collection echoes the city’s heartbeat, ensuring all our guests are made to feel a part of the magnificent tapestry of Dubai, the world’s most exciting metropolis.

The Director of Rooms will lead the Rooms Division during the pre-opening and launch phases of a luxury hotel in Dubai. This role is pivotal in establishing and maintaining the highest standards of guest services, operations, and staff management for all front office, housekeeping, and guest services areas. The Director of Rooms will collaborate with the General Manager and other department heads to ensure a seamless guest experience, establishing brand standards and quality benchmarks. Candidates should have proven pre-opening experience within the luxury hotel industry and a deep understanding of Dubai’s hospitality standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Pre-Opening Strategy and Operational Setup

• Design and implement the Rooms Division operational strategy, encompassing Front Office, Housekeeping, Concierge, and Guest Services.
• Oversee the setup of rooms, public spaces, and back-of-house areas in line with brand standards and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and other pre-opening teams to finalize layouts, service workflows, and guest service protocols.
• Participate in the selection of rooms-related technology, software, and systems to ensure efficiency in operations and guest management.

2. Team Recruitment, Training, and Development

• Recruit and build a high-performing team across Front Office, Housekeeping, and Guest Services departments.
• Develop and conduct training programs for all rooms division staff, emphasizing guest service excellence, brand standards, and safety protocols.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability among team members.

3. Guest Experience and Service Excellence

• Establish luxury service standards, ensuring a personalized, memorable experience for every guest.
• Monitor and address guest feedback, implementing action plans to continually improve service quality and guest satisfaction.
• Lead daily briefings and walkthroughs to maintain quality control and address any operational challenges proactively.

4. Operational Management

• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Rooms Division to ensure consistency in service and quality.
• Oversee room allocation, availability, and service timeliness, ensuring a seamless arrival and departure experience for all guests.
• Implement inventory management for housekeeping supplies, guest amenities, and maintenance schedules for rooms and common areas.

5. Budgeting and Financial Oversight

• Prepare and manage the Rooms Division budget, controlling costs while maximizing efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Track departmental expenses, analyze variances, and adjust spending in alignment with budget goals.
• Monitor and manage labor costs through effective scheduling and workload balancing.

6. Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Food & Beverage departments to support room packages, guest events, and promotions.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to address and resolve any room or facility issues promptly.
• Serve as the Rooms Division representative in senior management meetings, providing updates on key metrics and operational performance.

• Experience: Minimum 8+ years in luxury hotel rooms management, with at least 3 years in a Director of Rooms or similar leadership role; pre-opening experience in a luxury property is essential.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field preferred.
• Skills: Strong leadership, guest service orientation, budget management, and organizational skills; fluency in English is required, Arabic is advantageous.
• Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of luxury hospitality standards, particularly within Dubai’s market, with an ability to adapt services to exceed guest expectations.