Description

Regional Director of Operations

Merete Hotel Management

Merete is an award-winning Hotel management company dedicated to delivering superior results to our owners, associates, and guests. We value personal and organizational growth, community, integrity, and excellence. Based in Springfield, Oregon, Merete Hotel Management currently operates 19 hotel properties in Oregon and Washington State with plans to grow their portfolio in coming years.

The position is directly responsible for operating a hotel as General Manager and supervising Hotel General Managers within a geographic region as assigned, to ensure efficient production, achievement of assigned goals, and adherence to guidelines; for creating and implementing staffing, cost containment, and quality strategies to maximize profitability while maintaining customer, associate and owner satisfaction; for oversight of the project manager and related tasks in relation to property renovations, special projects, and PIPs. This position reports to the Vice President of Operations.

We are looking for a results-oriented hospitality leader who brings the following experience and abilities:

• 5 Years of multi-unit hotel leadership and 10 years in the hospitality business.
• Must be able to demonstrate strategic leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Must have brand experience with two or more of the major hotel brands (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG)
• Must be proficient in understanding key monthly reports, financial statements, forecasts, and other hotel performance metrics.
• Must understand all market segments and online distribution channels.
• Must have the ability to establish a vision and align direct reports to achieve industry-leading performance.
• Must have strong leadership skills and demonstrated success in driving employee engagement.
• Experience opening new hotel properties preferred.

Additional qualifications:

Must be detail-oriented, with strong self-organization and communication skills. Promotes an atmosphere of teamwork with the ability to lead by example. Builds morale and spirit while instilling an industry-leading guest service attitude in all associates. Strong customer service orientation and skills with exceptional attention to detail. "Hands-on" leadership approach to management and team development. Willingness to take on any operations project-related assignments. Must be able to prioritize hotel or departmental functions in order to meet all

deadlines. Excellent communicator and dynamic presenter. Ability to lead, motivate and direct with clear communication.

The Regional Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing the operations of an assigned group of hotels on behalf of Merete Hotel Management. This position serves as primary contact for operations and implementation of brand, and Merete initiatives and is accountable for leading assigned properties to ensure all operational goals are achieved. This position leads efforts to improve financial performance by assessing economic factors, leveraging brand tools and relationships, and enhancing guest satisfaction while ensuring strict expense control to yield positive results and growth. Reports directly to the Vice President of Operations.

• Builds and sustains positive relationships with all constituencies.
• Takes ownership of business unit results.
• Focuses on the needs of the guest and is observant of guest behaviors.
• Proactively coaches, motivates, rewards and corrects team members.
• Comfortable acting as the primary liaison between properties and corporate operations team.
• Has the ability to communicate effectively to senior management on the “health” of a property.

• Conduct on-site hotel visits and prepare property reports and action plans for the property that drive performance to corporate leadership teams, ownership representatives upon request and Executive Team.
• Ensure assigned hotels are meeting operational plans and financial goals. Aid in establishing, communicating, and implementing operating standards, tools, and resources.
• Participate in weekly/monthly revenue calls, as well as regular sales and marketing meetings working with Corporate Director of Sales, Regional Sales leadership, and property GMs to assess revenue performance and revenue opportunities - providing input and direction where necessary.
• Collaborate with leadership team and property GMs to establish and monitor ongoing revenue goals, monthly/quarterly/annual/rolling 12-month forecasts and budgets and help and/or direction where needed.
• Participate in sales and marketing events and blitzes as necessary and appropriate.
• Analyze property data and provide potential solutions to increase guest satisfaction and improve operating efficiencies, reduce expense, and maximize revenue.
• Manage regional operating expenses to be within annual budgetary guidelines. Participate in the implementation of goals and the successful rollout of initiatives and programs.
• Monitor project management work via site inspections to ensure conformance to plans. Provide technical and knowledge guidance as subject matter experts.
• Partner with other internal departments to continuously optimize financial and guest satisfaction results.
• Assist hotel management and teams in successful completion of goals, plans, and reports.
• Evaluate daily operations and implement measures to improve and exceed guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Update and discuss adverse incidents, operational issues, claims, and customer service issues for impact and corrective processes.
• Maintain compliance with established policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety and environmental and infection control.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure acquisition and development of competitive talent and promote opportunities for attracting and retaining high performing talent, ensuring adequate staff to meet operational requirements.
• Coach and counsel all management in assigned group of properties to ensure key performance is met. Coordinate with VP of Operations and HR on personnel issues.
• Ensure on-going training, promotions, performance reviews, employment termination and disciplinary measures are administered according to policy and procedure.
• Suggest operational and capital improvements for the hotels.
• Develop short term action plans and long-range planning for new programs and strategies that impact the hotels based on the existing corporate directed goals and any new goals that are created.
• Develop and submit accurate property and overall region reports to the VP of Operations on a consistent and timely basis.
• Ensure that all safety and brand standards are maintained. Attend conferences for each of the brands that are within the organization.
• Take part in Brand Area Manager and quality assurance visits as needed (i.e. IHG, Marriott).
• Develop and leverage internal and external partnerships to maximize achievement of business goals.
• Manage overall financial performance by analyzing and reconciling financial reports, determining trends and areas of opportunities, advising others on cost control methods and budgetary trends.
• Onboard and train new General Managers at properties in specified region. Work with HR and VP of Operations to select GMs; assist in selection of other open positions as needed.
• Responsible for opening tasks until general manager has been selected for any new properties; assist and monitor opening tasks and responsibilities of GM, department managers and team once they have been selected for new properties.
• Assist with opening ramp process, including, but not limited to regular construction calls, franchisor trainings and meetings, input on design and construction when appropriate.
• Assist GM from pre-opening to operations to ensure seamless transition; ongoing supervision of property and general manager post-opening.
• Liaise with ownership when necessary and appropriate as directed by VP of Operations, including, but not limited to, budget presentations, periodic property performance meetings and capital improvement requests.

• Frequently mobile and occasionally stationary within hotel environment on combination of tile, cement and carpet.
• Utilize standard office furniture – desk, padded swivel chair. Occasional navigation of stairs.
• Ability to operate computers, phones, copier/fax machines and other standard office equipment.
• Motions required for in and out of vehicle.  Navigation outdoors - uneven terrain and climate as needed. Navigation of off-site locations under a variety of circumstances.
• Move/transport average weight frequently 10 lbs.  Maximum weight occasionally 20 lbs. 
• Pushing/pulling average weight frequently 10 lbs.  Maximum weight occasionally 30 lbs.

• Exposed to general office environment with noise from computers, office machines, fluorescent lighting, telephones and conversation.
• Could include exposure to fumes, chemicals, vibrations, humidity, cold, heat, dust, and noise.
• Reliable transportation needed for frequent driving. 
• Must adhere to Company safety standards and procedures.

• Effective time management and ability to plan and prioritize own work and the work of others. Strong interpersonal skills.
• Enjoys a variety of tasks and being highly mobile.
• Effective communication both verbal and written with customers, guests, associates, owners and all members of management.
• Representation of the company and brand in a professional, gracious and enthusiastic manner.
• Highly organized and able to use organizational tools to track multiple tasks.
• Continued education on latest industry products, services, information and best practices.
• Follow all appropriate policies and procedures including safety procedures.      

• Minimum 5 years experience in hospitality, operations or related field.
• Experienced at operating successful properties and delivering results.
• Effective time management (i.e. planning, prioritizing, delegating, etc.).
• Strong ability to perform independently as well as within a team environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English both verbal and written, including the skills necessary to tactfully and professionally engage with associates, management and outside vendors/clients.
• Highly motivated and independent and able to take direction.
• Ability to develop, implement and attain goals and maintain confidential and proprietary information.
• Ability to frequently travel to properties within selected region.
• Valid driver license with acceptable driving record.
• Must pass criminal background check.

Merete is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or age.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum 5 years’ experience in hospitality, operations, or related field. Experienced at operating successful properties and delivering results. Effective time management (i.e., planning, prioritizing, delegating, etc.) Strong ability to perform independently as well as within a team environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Ability to effectively communicate in English both verbal and written, including the skills necessary to tactfully and professionally engage with associates, management and outside vendors/clients. Highly motivated and independent and able to take direction. Ability to develop, implement and attain goals and maintain confidential and proprietary information. Ability to frequently travel to properties within selected region. Valid driver license with acceptable driving record. Must pass criminal background check.