Director of Development EMEA

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) is the most desirable community of independently minded travellers and independently spirited hotels in the world. We’ve personally visited, verified and vetted every single one of our 600 hotels in more than 90 countries – each one is anti-chain and anti-same. With just 50 rooms on average, SLH properties are able to offer secluded, discrete options with the highest standards of luxury and guest wellbeing. From rustic fishermen's huts and woodland treehouses to rainforest retreats, alpine chalets and desert-style 'dude' ranches, no two stays are the same in our characterful collection of intimate spaces in unusual places.

We are looking to expand our Development team to help us source and seek out even more special small, luxury hotels that we haven’t yet uncovered. Are you distinctive and downright delightful just like our hotels?

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

The role is: 1) primarily tasked with the development of new member hotels for the brand (90% of time); and 2) secondarily, the retention of existing member hotels in conjunction with Revenue Account Managers in the region (10% of time).

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development:

• Develop and execute on a strategy to significantly grow the portfolio of member hotels in EMEA
• Focus on identifying suitable luxury projects and targeting SLH’s unfulfilled destinations
• Support the growth strategy of SLH’s Collections – e.g Considerate and new launching Collections in 2025
• Follow up swiftly on all incoming leads internally and via partners
• Visit and verify hotels to meet stakeholders and ensure all prospects meet SLH quality standards
• Attendance at luxury travel buyer events in region expected

Community: - “never lose a member”

• Develop meaningful relationships with Hotel Owners, General Managers and Management teams of existing SLH member hotels to engage positive referrals and introductions for new membership
• Support RAM team with the renegotiation and renewal of existing members when required
• Support Community Manager in joining and participating in Ambassador events

Brand Awareness:

• Identify appropriate hotel management and investor events
• Identify opportunities at hospitality educational institutions
• Identify media and press partnership opportunities within region

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Outstanding positive communications, presentation and sales skills, both written and verbal, required.
• Sales , development background, with 10+ years of luxury travel industry within the region required. 5 years at Director level
• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they are a “self-starter” and have experience of developing new business independently in the region.
• Degree in travel or hospitality experience a plus, as well as qualifications in Hospitality Real Estate
• Strong knowledge of a hotels distribution, sales and marketing strategies required
• Passion for travel, high positive energy and commitment required
• Demonstrates exceptional geographical knowledge in the region.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Potentially up to 50% of time spent traveling, mostly within the region – in a development, community and brand awareness capacity
• Typically, there may be two Ambassador meetings per year to attend and a global annual conference.