Vice President Development - North America

Company Description

Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of more than 560 hotels in operation. Minor Hotels passionately explores new possibilities in hospitality with a diverse portfolio of properties designed intelligently to appeal to different kinds of travellers, serving new passions as well as personal needs. Through our Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Elewana, Tivoli, NH Hotel Group, and Minor International properties, across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America.

Job Description

We are looking for a Head of Development – North America to drive the strategic expansion of Minor Hotels'multi-brand portfolio into key U.S., Caribbean and North American markets. The role will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing hotel development opportunities, including new builds, conversions, management contracts, and strategic partnerships.

Success in this role will require you to have deep industry relationships, strong financial acumen, and a sharp understanding of market dynamics to secure high-quality deals that align with our growth and commercial strategy. You will work closely with ownership groups, investors, and internal stakeholders to structure and negotiate development agreements that fuel our ambitious expansion.

Reporting to our Chief Development & Luxury Officer (Based in Bangkok), this is a pivotal role in our North American growth strategy. With fast-paced expansion plans and significant investment in the region, this is an exceptional opportunity for a driven, strategic leader to be given a lot of responsibility and autonomy to make a lasting impact and grow with the company.

Key Responsibilities will include:

Development Strategy

• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Minor Hotels' North American development strategy through market intelligence, competitor benchmarking, and trend analysis.
• Identify target markets, prime conversion opportunities, and high-potential ownership groups/partners aligned with the company’s growth objectives.

Deal Sourcing & Assessment

• Evaluate potential hotel development opportunities through in-depth market research, feasibility studies, and competitive analysis.
• Conduct financial modeling and due diligence, preparing financial projections and risk assessments to determine the viability of each deal.
• Maintain strong industry relationships with hotel owners, investors, consultants, and international operators to stay informed on market trends and opportunities.

Deal Structuring & Negotiation

• Prepare and structure commercial proposals, including MOUs, term sheets, and financial models, ensuring alignment with Minor Hotels' development framework.
• Develop compelling pitch documents, RFP responses, and owner presentations, collaborating with key internal teams.
• Lead and participate in live deal presentations and negotiations, articulating the value of Minor Hotels' brands and operating models.

Internal Alignment & Approvals

• Coordinate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders (Technical Services, Operations, Commercial, and Finance) to ensure deals align with business objectives.
• Present proposed deals with comprehensive financial and strategic analysis to secure internal approvals from senior leadership.

Asset Management Support

• Provide financial projections and strategic input for ongoing asset management needs, ensuring optimal performance of existing management contracts.
• Act as a liaison between ownership groups and internal teams for contractual and operational matters.

Qualifications

Professional Competencies:

• Experience
  • 10+ years of experience in real estate development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the hospitality or hotel industry.
  • Proven track record and deep understanding of development and delivering large-scale hotel development projects from concept to completion.

• Commercial Awareness
  • Strong understanding of the hospitality industry, investment landscape, and competitive market trends.
  • Able to connect industry insights to business strategy.

• Financial Acumen
  • Skilled in hotel investment analysis, financial modeling, and return-on-investment assessments.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for financial projections is essential.

• Presentation & Communication
  • Capable of developing visually compelling, high-impact presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Able to present ideas with clarity and confidence.

• Project Management
  • Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines.

Personal & Interpersonal Competencies

• Self-Driven & Impact-Oriented
  • Takes ownership of work, proactively seeks solutions, and is committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.

• Relationship Building & Stakeholder Management
  • Comfortable engaging with owners, consultants, hotel GMs, and internal teams, adapting to different cultures and personalities.
  • Able to handle complex situations with diplomacy and professionalism.

• Communication & Influence
  • Able to communicate key messages clearly, concisely, and persuasively.
  • Uses data, logical reasoning, and strong presentation skills to influence decision-makers.

• Collaboration & Teamwork
  • Works effectively with colleagues across departments, fostering a cooperative and goal-oriented environment.

• Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Thinks strategically and innovatively, identifying new opportunities and presenting ideas with confidence.

Languages: Native level English. Spanish a plus.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.