Executive Level Positions

Daily Life
The Vice President of Operations could lead a hotel chain or a cruise line fleet. He maintains a broad-based, high-level strategic understanding of all aspects of the organization’s operation. He works alongside the properties’ General Managers to set financial goals and then designs operation procedures to help meet revenue targets. The VP of Operations hires and leads hotel General Managers to ensure they meet guest service and satisfaction standards.

Required Skills

• Effective relationship-building with employees at all levels, from laborers to senior executives
• Strong leadership skills
• Well-developed organizational and multitasking abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Relevant experience in hospitality (ideally as a General Manager)
• Bachelor degree or higher preferred 

Daily Life
The Marketing Director works closely with the CEO and other senior executives to determine the overall brand positioning that reflects the organization’s values, goals and objectives. He formulates the strategic marketing plans and manages his team which works with advertising agencies and other specialized communications firms to create marketing communications. This includes advertising, public relations, email and Internet advertising, graphic design, promotions, collateral materials, sales tools and even signage.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to manage projects and to lead marketing staff members from project kick-off to completion
• Good presentation skills to audiences ranging from senior management to sales teams and franchisees
• Hospitality background
• Bachelor degree or higher preferred 

Rani Gharbié

Development Director
InterContinental Hotels Group
Middle East & Africa

Nationality: Lebanese / Canadian

Graduated from Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland

Daily Life :

The Development Director within a hotel chain is a senior management leader who is responsible for a broad spectrum of critically important high-level business activities. The Development Director is the hotel chain’s chief representative and acts as the primary intermediary between the chain and potential hotel owners and investors. He presents the chain’s brand portfolio and the opportunities and requirements for investment. The Development Director conducts the critical viability analysis to ensure that a business relationship between the chain and the potential investor will be mutually satisfactory and successful. He negotiates, administers and finalizes legal contracts. The Development Director leads the interaction between the chain and the investor, whether the investor wants to build a brand new hotel or transition an existing hotel into the chain’s network. He also handles contract renewals and manages the ongoing relationship between the hotel owner and the chain.

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal communication abilities
• Hotel-related analytical and financial skills
• Effective in business presentations and negotiations
• Hospitality background
• Bachelor degree or higher preferred (ideally in hospitality) 

Ann Morelli

Director of Human Resources
Palace Hotel
San Francisco, USA

Nationality: Swedish

Graduated from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Switzerland

Daily Life :

The HR Director maintains close relationships with department leaders to gain a thorough understanding of both the technical qualifications and the personal qualities desired of every candidate for every position to be staffed. He coordinates training and support to ensure employees meet the organization’s performance standards and expectations. The HR Director manages the employee benefits program and creates and implements workplace policies and procedures that enhance employee productivity and satisfaction. He contributes fundamentally to the organization’s ability to provide a highquality guest experience by hiring and training high-quality employees.

Required Skills

• Effective relationship-building with employees at all levels, from laborers to senior executives
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor degree or higher preferred (ideally in hospitality) 

Thierry Kennel

General Manager
Four Seasons Hotel
Denver, USA

Nationality: French / Canadian

Graduated from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Switzerland

Daily Life :

The GM develops strategic business plans that define the hotel’s operational and revenue goals. The GM manages all hotel operations to maximize both employee and financial performance. He ensures that the hotel meets quality standards for property appearance, maintenance, amenities and personal service that deliver the best guest experience possible. The GM sets performance goals for employees and provides training, a supportive work environment and constructive assessments to help them grow and contribute to the hotel’s success. He plans, implements and measures the effectiveness of hotel marketing and promotional efforts.

Required Skills

• Excellent leadership, personnel and communication skills
• Effective business and operations management abilities
• Strong financial management and budget planning
• Relevant experience in hospitality management positions
• Bachelor degree or higher preferred (ideally in hospitality)