Openings & Transition

🌍 Remote, USA 🎯 Full-time 🕐 Posted Recently

Job Description

Company Highlights:

The Bright Hotel is reimagining hotel operations by leveraging a tech-forward approach to the guest experience. Our goal is to personalize the stay for each guest driving stellar satisfaction rates. We are currently building out a portfolio of hotels focused on health and wellness called Vitality Hotels.

100% company-paid premium for employee-only coverage on select Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
401K program with up to a 4% match and full vesting from day one
Generous Paid Time Off – 2 weeks annually to recharge and relax
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA) options for added financial flexibility
Voluntary Life Insurance to provide additional coverage for you and your loved ones

Purpose of the Role:

The Bright Hospitality is seeking a Director of Pre-Opening & Transition who will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of new hotel openings, property transitions, and brand conversions to ensure a seamless and successful launch. This role requires strategic planning, operational expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to execute projects on time, within budget, and aligned with brand standards.

As a key leader, the Director will work closely with ownership groups, corporate leadership, hotel management teams, and third-party vendors to drive operational readiness, implement brand guidelines, and deliver exceptional guest experiences from day one.

Responsibilities:

Develop and execute detailed pre-opening and transition project plans, ensuring alignment with brand and ownership expectations.
Coordinate with stakeholders on licensing, permits, staffing, procurement, and pre-opening budget management.
Define critical paths, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for successful pre-opening execution.
Oversee compliance with local regulations, brand standards, and operational policies.

Lead recruitment, hiring, and training efforts to ensure the hotel team is prepared for opening.
Work closely with department heads to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and service protocols.
Oversee procurement and installation of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) and OS&E (Operating Supplies & Equipment).
Conduct operational testing and trial stays to ensure all departments are fully functional before launch.

Develop and manage pre-opening and transition budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and adherence to financial goals.
Partner with finance and procurement teams to optimize resources and negotiate vendor contracts.
Monitor expenditures and provide regular financial reporting to leadership.

Ensure the hotel’s service culture, design, and operations align with brand identity and guest expectations.
Lead pre-opening marketing and sales efforts in collaboration with commercial teams.
Implement training programs focused on guest engagement, quality service, and brand standards.
Monitor guest feedback post-opening to ensure a smooth transition into full operation.

Serve as the primary liaison between corporate offices, ownership, and hotel management teams.
Work cross-functionally with HR, Sales & Marketing, IT, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure smooth execution.
Provide leadership and mentorship to pre-opening teams, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.

8-10+ years in hotel operations leadership, with a strong background in pre-openings, transitions, or brand conversions.
Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple openings simultaneously.
Deep understanding of hotel operations across all departments.
Financial acumen with experience managing pre-opening budgets.
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.
Preferred Experience: Previous experience with luxury or lifestyle hotel brands is a plus.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience: 8-10+ years in hotel operations leadership, with at least 3 years in pre-opening, transitions, or brand conversion roles.
Proven track record of successfully opening and transitioning hotel properties.
Experience managing multi-department teams and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new properties.
Financial acumen, including budget planning and cost control.
Excellent communication and leadership skills to manage diverse teams.
Proficiency in hotel property management systems (PMS), revenue management systems, and other hospitality-related software.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is a plus.
Brand certification or previous brand pre-opening experience is preferred.
Please note, due to the requirements of this position, responses may automatically disqualify you from moving forward in the application process. Please review minimum qualifications thoroughly before applying.

Must be available for a flexible schedule, including extended hours, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet pre-opening deadlines.
Ability to work in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and timelines.

Frequent Travel (50-75%) required, including domestic and international locations.
Must be able to travel on short notice for site visits, pre-opening setup, and operational transitions.
Ability to stay on-site for extended periods (e.g., 2-6 weeks) during critical pre-opening phases.
Must have a valid passport and be eligible to travel internationally if required.

The pay range for this role is:

130,000 - 150,000 USD per year(Remote - United States)

Apply Now