Job Description:

Job Overview

The Vice President, Operations leads operational performance across the S Hotels & Resorts portfolio, ensuring consistent delivery of brand standards, guest satisfaction, safety, and profitability at property level. The role is accountable for translating strategy into day-to-day operational execution—rooms, F&B, engineering, and guest experience—while strengthening capability in General Managers and property leadership teams.

The VP Operations partners closely with Finance, HR, Technical Services/Projects, and collaborates with the Commercial Teams (Sales, Revenue, Marketing, Digital) to align property execution with commercial plans. Commercial Teams do not report to Operations at Head Office, but the VP Operations ensures hotel readiness and flawless delivery of commercial initiatives at property level.

Job Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Standards

• Own the development, deployment, and compliance of operating standards, SOPs, and service protocols across rooms, F&B, recreation/spa, security, and engineering.
• Conduct regular property reviews (quality audits, mystery shop follow-ups), identify gaps, and drive time-bound corrective action plans.
• Ensure operational readiness for seasonal peaks, events, and campaigns; maintain contingency plans for service recovery and business continuity.
• Embed safety, hygiene, and risk management standards; ensure statutory and brand requirements are consistently met

Property Performance & Financial Stewardship

• Review and challenge property P&Ls; drive margin improvement via cost control, productivity, waste reduction, menu engineering, and labor optimization (FTE vs. demand).
• Co-own annual budgets and rolling forecasts with GMs and Finance; monitor GOP, GOPPAR, RevPAR, and cashflow health; trigger course corrections early.
• Prioritize OPEX and CAPEX with clear ROI, lifecycle asset care, and energy efficiency to protect and enhance asset value.

Service & Guest Experience

• Champion a guest-centric culture (GSS/NPS/reviews/complaints) and a property-level balanced KPI; close the loop with root-cause actions.        
• Standardize service recovery playbooks and empower teams to resolve issues on the spot; track recovery ROI and repeat-stay impact.
• Leverage digital tools (PMS/CRM/Work-order/guest related apps) to reduce friction across the guest journey (pre-stay to post-stay).

People, Capability & Culture

• Coach and calibrate GMs and ExComs; build succession pipelines for critical roles; align objectives, KPIs, and performance routines.

• Partner with HR on workforce planning, engagement, recognition, and leadership/skills development (service, revenue-mindset).

• Promote a culture of PRIDE

Commercial Coordination

• Work with Commercial (Sales/Revenue/Marketing/Digital) to ensure property execution: rate integrity, inventory discipline, channel readiness, content accuracy, and promo delivery
• Align pricing and distribution guardrails with operational capacity
• Jointly review pick-up, pace, and forecast meetings to anticipate operational needs

Asset, Projects & Openings

• Partner with Technical Services/Design to ensure operational functionality in new builds/renovations
• Lead operations pre-opening readiness (manpower, SOPs, training, OS&E, licensing) and post-opening stabilization KPIs.

Risk, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure compliance with legal, brand, and insurance requirements; chair/attend safety committees and incident reviews.
• Drive SD priorities in operations (energy, water, waste, ethical sourcing); track utility KPIs and savings

Core Competencies

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Analytical – synthesizes complex or diverse information and demonstrates strong financial skills.
• Problem solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Communication – speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts productive meetings. Well-developed interpersonal skills as well as written and verbal communication.
• Delegation – delegates work assignments, gives authority to work independently, sets expectations and monitors delegated activities.
• Leadership – inspires and motivates others to perform well and accepts feedback from others.  Maintains sound relationship building skills. Ability to establish credibility and be decisive, while being able to recognize and support the organization’s preferences and priorities
• Management skills – include staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; makes self-available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; and develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth. Participative Management Style- advocates team concepts
• Quality management – looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.  Experience in operations management with experience of managing multiple operations preferred.
• Judgment – displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, and makes timely decisions.
• Planning/organizing – prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Safety and security – observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications

• 12+ years’ experience in roles spanning general management, strategy and/or marketing with well-regarded, global consumer and hospitality companies characterized by innovation and a strong customer focus.
• Experience building, planning, developing and executing cost-effective, integrated operation concepts.
• Experience managing lifestyle hotel brands in at least one of the following markets: Asia and Pacific.
• An excellent track record of developing business strategies that produce sustainable and scalable income without compromising brands.
• Significant P&L experience along with a track record of building businesses; ability to lead diverse teams.
• History of successful operations and financial assignments within the hospitality space.  Proven expertise building consumer-based operations standards and offerings.
• A track record of applying technology to the transformation of businesses and brands – and of partnering successfully with technology, digital and brand teams.
• Proven leadership and collaboration abilities; experience managing and building high performing teams.
• Well-developed verbal and presentation skills; demonstrated ability to clearly explain commercial concepts at all levels and produce appropriate supporting communication materials/presentations.
• A thorough understanding of consumer trends, attitudes, needs and preferences to help Equinox Hotels enhance its operating and growth capabilities.  Successful track record leading operations within luxury and/or lifestyle hospitality.
• The successful candidate will focus on delivering high quality products and services that match brand aspirations and integrity. 
• An exceptional thought leader who partners closely with the lines of business and geographies to understand and provide input and insight into operations, marketing, business strategy and product development.
• It is imperative that the VP of Operations is able to articulate future plans, translate strategy and direction into actionable plans keeping in mind the field organization and the company’s overall vision.

Replacement and Temporary Mission

• To perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by superiors.