Director, Hotel Activation & Brand Development - Hybrid-AZ

Job description

Join BWH Hotels – Where Passion Meets Purpose At BWH® Hotels, we don't just offer employment opportunities, we create opportunities to be part of something extraordinary. As a global leader in hospitality for nearly 80 years, our vision is to inspire travel through unique experiences. Joining our corporate team means becoming part of a dynamic and inclusive community that values innovation, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact in the travel industry. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, BWH Hotels boasts a powerful portfolio of 18 brands, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels®, with approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries. We take pride in our top-ranking employee engagement scores and foster a workplace culture where your contributions truly matter. Join us and be part of a team that's shaping the future of hospitality! Job Purpose Provides strategic leadership for Design Onboarding and Brand Development Project Management, ensuring successful execution of the hotel onboarding lifecycle from contract execution through opening and first-year stabilization. Oversees hotel activation, design implementation, owner engagement, operational readiness, and post-opening performance initiatives to support long-term hotel success, owner satisfaction, and brand growth. Leads cross-functional collaboration to improve onboarding effectiveness, drive operational excellence, and create a seamless owner experience across the BWH Hotels portfolio. Key Responsibilities Leads and directs the Design Onboarding and Brand Development Project Management teams, ensuring alignment, accountability, and execution across the full hotel onboarding lifecycle. Develops and executes onboarding strategies, programs, and initiatives that support successful implementation of new construction, conversion, and renovation projects from agreement execution through hotel opening and stabilization. Provides leadership oversight for design onboarding, product implementation, design approvals, brand standards compliance, project management activities, operational readiness, and opening preparedness. Establishes departmental standards, policies, tools, scorecards, and best practices that create consistency, efficiency, and accountability across onboarding and activation functions. Collaborates with Brand Management, Development, Operations, Revenue Management, Digital, Marketing, Sales, Learning & Development, and Technology teams to ensure successful implementation and activation of new hotels. Oversees first-year hotel ramp-up initiatives and performance monitoring, including owner engagement, system adoption, operational readiness, revenue optimization opportunities, and post-opening support. Identifies opportunities to improve onboarding effectiveness, owner satisfaction, and hotel performance through process improvements, enhanced communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Develops executive-level reporting, performance metrics, and dashboards to measure onboarding effectiveness, hotel activation milestones, owner success, and first-year performance outcomes. Builds and maintains productive relationships with hotel owners, management companies, developers, internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and affiliate partners. Motivates and develops staff by assessing strengths and opportunities, providing coaching and development plans, implementing effective hiring and retention practices, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Meets financial objectives by developing departmental budgets, managing resources effectively, and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. Maintains quality service by establishing and following company standards while supporting strategic business objectives and organizational growth. Preferred Experience and Education Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, hotel development, hotel operations, project management, onboarding, design, implementation, brand management, or related disciplines. Minimum 5 years of management experience leading teams and cross-functional business initiatives. Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience supporting hotel openings, renovations, conversions, franchise development, hotel onboarding, or multi-property portfolios preferred. Experience working directly with hotel owners, developers, franchisees, and management companies preferred. Required Knowledge and Skills Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Working knowledge of Smartsheet or similar project management platforms preferred. Strong presentation skills, including the ability to develop executive-level materials, business cases, dashboards, and strategic summaries. High level of executive presence, confidence, and diplomacy when engaging with senior leaders, hotel owners, and external stakeholders. Strong knowledge of hotel development, onboarding, implementation, design standards, and operational readiness processes. Financial and budgeting acumen with the ability to analyze business performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Demonstrated ability to influence across multiple departments and drive accountability without direct authority. Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management skills. Ability to manage complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and changing business needs. Conveys a strong sense of purpose and motivates teams to achieve organizational goals. Skilled in continuous improvement methodologies and process optimization. Resolves complex business challenges through collaboration, data analysis, and sound judgment. Makes effective decisions based on analysis, experience, and business impact. Attracts, retains, develops, and motivates high-performing teams. Demonstrates strong communication, relationship management, and change leadership capabilities. Work Location This is a hybrid position, requiring onsite presence Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at our Headquarters location, with the option to work remote on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Requires 5-day presence once per month during Board week. This hybrid model fosters intentional collaboration, teamwork, connection, and productivity while still providing flexibility and work-life balance. The office address is 6201 N 24th Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. Travel May travel up to 25%. Valid driver's license, serviceable automobile, and proof of insurance may be required. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship. Benefits Summary for Full-Time Employees · Medical/Dental/Vision available day one · Vacation/Sick- accruals start day one · Paid company holidays and personal holidays to celebrate what’s important to you · 401K - company contribution and match (U.S.) · Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) – company contribution and match (Canada) · Employee discounts/hotel discounts · Free financial and health wellness programs · Tuition Reimbursement Equal Employment Opportunity BWH Hotels (the "Company") maintains a policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race (including hair textures and hair styles associated with race), color or pigmentation, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, caste, age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, LGBTQIA+ individuals, height, weight, pregnancy status, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, uniformed service or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local laws. The Company’s equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment with the Company, including, but not limited to, hiring, promotion, transfer, benefits, discipline, and termination.