Role: Global Director of Residences and Operations
Location: Flexible (Central hub preferred in Miami or New York, with global travel required)
Salary: from $300,000 per annum + full benefits
Work Schedule: Full-time, permanent
Start Date: ASAP
Reports To: Principal 
 
Job Description:
 
We are seeking an extraordinary Global Director of Residences and Operations to serve as the strategic and operational leader for an ultra-high-net-worth principal’s unparalleled portfolio of luxury assets. This includes 15+ residences (primarily in the US, with international locations), 6 private aircraft, 3 yachts, 3 helicopters, and high-value collections.

As a visionary CEO-like figure, you will build and lead an in-house team to deliver a warm, personalized hospitality experience that redefines luxury, surpassing the standards of European five-star hotels (e.g., Claridge’s, Le Bristol Paris).

The ideal candidate will bring world-class expertise in luxury hospitality, financial planning, yacht operations, and advanced construction management, paired with a collaborative leadership style to inspire a high-performing team. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape a ground-breaking operation, overseeing audacious construction projects, commercial-grade interior design, and the creation of in-house aviation and yacht management teams, while delivering guest experiences that push the boundaries of imagination.
 
Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Team Building

• Craft and execute a visionary strategy for a centralized hospitality operation, delivering an unmatched guest experience that embodies European elegance and warmth.
• Recruit, hire, and train a global in-house team, including estate managers, butlers, concierges, private chefs, spa therapists, housekeeping, security, and specialized aviation and yacht management staff, targeting a headcount of 50–100+ across properties and fleet.
• Build robust in-house aviation and yacht management teams, collaborating with the Director of Aviation to recruit pilots, cabin crew, yacht captains, and deckhands, ensuring seamless alignment with hospitality standards.
• Design and implement elite training programs, inspired by European five-star protocols (e.g., Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton), to ensure staff deliver anticipatory service, memorizing guest preferences (e.g., favourite drinks, spa treatments) before arrival.
• Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive culture that inspires staff engagement and retention, fostering a dynamic, high-performance environment through empathetic leadership and clear communication.

2. Financial Planning and Budget Oversight

• Establish and maintain comprehensive financial reporting systems, delivering accurate operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets for all properties, fleet, and construction projects within 60 days of onboarding.
• Manage multimillion-dollar budgets, ensuring cost efficiency, transparency, and alignment with the principal’s ambitious financial goals, particularly for ground-breaking construction and fleet innovations.
• Oversee vendor contracts, negotiate terms, and audit expenses to optimize resources while upholding uncompromising luxury standards.
• Provide regular financial updates to the principal, using tools like QuickBooks, Salesforce, or custom ERP systems, with clear, actionable insights to drive strategic decisions.

3. Construction and Renovation Management

• Lead the planning and execution of ground-up construction projects for new properties and major renovations of existing residences, ensuring timely completion, budget adherence, and alignment with visionary hospitality standards.
• Oversee all phases of construction, including site selection, permitting, contractor management, and quality control, managing budgets ranging from $10M–$ 100 M+ per project across multiple simultaneous developments, including extraordinary projects like an aquarium larger than most sea life theme parks.
  Identify and manage an elite interior design firm (e.g., Yabu Pushelberg, Hirsch Bedner Associates) to create commercial-grade finishes and amenities (e.g., hotel-style lobbies, high-end spa facilities, bespoke guest suites) that transcend typical residential standards, ensuring durability, sophistication, and guest-centric functionality, such as a hot tub with a glass floor over a giant shark tank.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and municipal authorities to navigate zoning, environmental, and regulatory requirements across global jurisdictions, delivering projects that redefine luxury.
• Conduct post-construction audits to ensure properties meet five-star operational readiness, integrating smart home systems (e.g., Crestron, Savant) and sustainable infrastructure.

4. Hospitality and Guest Experience

• Create a bespoke guest experience framework, leveraging a secure CRM system to centralize guest dossiers (e.g., dietary preferences, travel habits, spa routines) for seamless personalization across properties and fleet.
  Ensure 24/7 concierge and butler services at each property, delivering white-glove service that anticipates and exceeds guest needs, inspired by European elegance and warmth.
• Plan and execute extraordinary events, from intimate private dinners to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a wedding in space on a suborbital flight or galas for 200+ guests, coordinating with Michelin-starred chefs, luxury brands, and cultural institutions.
• Maintain private spas and wellness facilities, ensuring bespoke treatments and five-star readiness, with commercial-grade finishes to enhance guest appeal.

5. Fleet Integration and Logistics

• Oversee the integration of 6 private aircraft, 3 yachts, and 3 helicopters with property operations, ensuring seamless guest transitions akin to Four Seasons Private Jet experiences, including support for the world’s largest private jet and supersonic private jets under development.
• Partner with the Director of Aviation to align flight schedules, yacht itineraries, and helicopter logistics with guest preferences (e.g., stocking favorite amenities onboard), while the Director of Aviation handles regulatory compliance (e.g., FAA Part 91/125).
• Demonstrate deep expertise in yacht operations, including crew management, itinerary planning, and maintenance, ensuring maritime assets meet the same hospitality standards as properties.
• Ensure maritime regulatory compliance (e.g., IMO, flag state requirements) is managed by the yacht management team, maintaining safety and operational excellence.
• Develop protocols for aviation and yacht staff to mirror property service standards, creating a cohesive, world-class hospitality experience.

6. Operational Excellence and Scalability

• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all properties, fleet, and construction projects, ensuring consistency and efficiency across global operations.
• Scale the organization as the portfolio grows, integrating new properties or assets while maintaining service quality and financial discipline.
• Partner with security teams to ensure discretion, privacy, and safety for the principal and guests, adhering to cultural and regulatory protocols.
• Leverage technology (e.g., Crestron, Savant, Salesforce) to streamline operations, guest tracking, and staff coordination, embracing cutting-edge smart home and fleet management systems.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Experience: 15+ years in senior leadership roles within European five-star hotels (e.g., Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Aman Resorts) or as a Chief of Staff/Estate Director for UHNW individuals with global portfolios of 10+ properties, yachts, and aircraft.
• Hospitality Expertise: Proven track record delivering personalized, five-star guest experiences, with training in European hospitality protocols (e.g., Les Clefs d’Or, Claridge’s butler standards).
• Financial Acumen: Advanced skills in budgeting, OPEX/CAPEX management, and financial reporting, with proficiency in QuickBooks, ERP systems, or similar tools. Ability to deliver accurate financial insights within tight timelines.
• Construction Management: 7+ years overseeing ground-up construction and major renovations for luxury properties, with experience managing budgets of $10M–$100M+, contractor negotiations, and partnerships with interior design firms to deliver commercial-grade finishes for visionary projects.
• Yacht and Aviation Team Building: 5+ years building and managing in-house yacht and aviation teams, including crew recruitment, training, and operations, with specific expertise in luxury yacht management and aviation logistics.
• Leadership Style: Collaborative, empathetic, and inspiring, with the ability to build and sustain high-performing teams through effective communication, mentorship, and a positive, inclusive approach.
• Global Perspective: Experience managing operations across multiple continents, with cultural fluency and adaptability to US and international contexts.
• Languages: Proficiency in English; fluency in French, Italian, Spanish, or German is highly desirable to align with European flair.
• Technology: Proficient in smart home systems (e.g., Crestron, Savant), CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce), and fleet management tools, with a forward-thinking approach to tech integration.

Preferred:

• Background as a General Manager in a European Forbes Five-Star hotel or Director of Operations for a UHNW family office.
• Existing network with luxury interior design firms specializing in commercial-grade hospitality finishes (e.g., Yabu Pushelberg, Hirsch Bedner Associates) and maritime/aviation staffing agencies.
• Experience with private spa operations, wellness programming, or managing extraordinary experiential projects (e.g., space travel logistics).
• Certifications in hospitality management (e.g., Cornell Hotel Management), maritime operations, or project management (e.g., PMP).

Personal Attributes:

• Discretion and Poise: Impeccable professionalism and confidentiality, navigating high-profile environments with composure.
• Warmth and Approachability: A genuine, people-oriented demeanor to foster engagement with staff and guests, embodying the principal’s vision of warm, personalized service.
• Proactivity and Problem-Solving: Anticipates challenges and delivers solutions promptly, ensuring operational continuity and guest satisfaction.
• Resilience and Flexibility: Thrives in a 24/7, on-call environment, with willingness to travel globally (up to 50% of the time).
• Visionary Mindset: Embraces bold, innovative projects, aligning operations with the principal’s audacious goals.

Key Conditions and Expectations:

• Immediate Impact: Deliver OPEX and CAPEX budgets for all properties, fleet operations, and construction projects within 60 days, providing financial clarity to guide strategic decisions.
• Construction Leadership: Oversee multiple ground-up builds and renovations simultaneously, including extraordinary projects like a theme-park-scale aquarium, ensuring commercial-grade finishes and timely completion, while managing elite interior design firms.
• Aviation and Yacht Teams: Build robust in-house aviation and yacht management teams within 6–12 months, supporting innovations like the world’s largest private jet and supersonic jets, ensuring seamless integration with property services.
• Portfolio Scale: Manage 15+ properties and a complex fleet across multiple time zones, balancing local nuances with centralized standards.
• Guest-Centric Culture: Ensure every staff member, from butlers to yacht crew, anticipates guest needs, creating unforgettable experiences that surpass five-star hotels, including events like a suborbital space wedding.

How to Apply:

To apply for this role, please send your resume and reference folder to: federica@achievehospitality.com