Director of Rooms- Pre Opening Hotel

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.

Job Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Rooms to join our leadership team for the pre-opening of the tallest hotel in the world, located in the iconic Dubai Marina. This role requires a visionary leader to oversee the seamless execution of all Rooms Division operations, ensuring excellence in guest satisfaction, team development, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening Phase:

• Collaborate with the pre-opening team to establish operational strategies, standards, and workflows for Front Office, Housekeeping, Concierge, and Guest Services.
• Recruit, onboard, and train a high-performing Rooms Division team in alignment with the hotel's service culture.
• Develop and implement pre-opening action plans, budgets, and checklists to ensure readiness.
• Oversee the setup of rooms, public areas, and departmental facilities, ensuring quality and brand compliance.

Operational Excellence:

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the Rooms Division to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive efficiency and service excellence.
• Maintain strong relationships with other departments to ensure seamless coordination across the hotel.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize room occupancy, revenue, and profitability.

Guest Experience:

• Champion the guest experience by setting high service standards and ensuring consistent delivery.
• Handle guest concerns and feedback with professionalism, ensuring swift resolution.
• Drive personalization efforts to exceed guest expectations and build loyalty.

Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development opportunities to the Rooms Division team.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements.

Financial and Administrative Responsibilities:

• Prepare and manage the Rooms Division budget, ensuring alignment with the overall business plan.
• Monitor expenses, forecast needs, and implement cost-control measures.
• Analyze operational data to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.

Sustainability and Innovation:

• Implement sustainable practices in housekeeping and guest services to minimize environmental impact.
• Identify and introduce innovative technologies and processes to enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction.

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in Rooms Division leadership roles, preferably in luxury hotels or large-scale properties.
• Proven track record of success in hotel pre-openings is highly preferred.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing departmental budgets.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in hotel management systems and technology platforms (e.g., PMS, CRS).
• Commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences with a hands-on approach.