Director of Development

The Director of Development for Indonesia and Malaysia will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing hotel development opportunities in both countries. This role requires a strategic leader with deep industry knowledge, strong relationships in the hospitality sector, and the ability to drive growth through franchise agreements and management contracts. The Director will play a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s presence in these dynamic markets.

Within this, the key responsibilities for this position are to:

1. Strategic Planning & Execution:
   • Develop and implement a robust development strategy for Indonesia and Malaysia, aligned with the organization’s global and regional growth objectives.
   • Support the Feasibility team with market research and data collection to assess opportunities for new hotel developments and conversions.
2. Business Development:
   • Source, evaluate, and negotiate potential hotel projects, including franchise agreements and management contracts.
   • Build and maintain a strong pipeline of development opportunities across Indonesia and Malaysia.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Cultivate and strengthen relationships with property owners, developers, investors, and government authorities.
   • Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and networking forums to promote the brand and identify new opportunities.
4. Project Oversight:
   • Oversee the due diligence process, including financial modeling, market analysis, and legal review, to ensure projects meet the organization’s standards.
   • Collaborate with internal teams, including design, operations, and legal, to support project approvals and ensure seamless execution.
5. Brand Alignment:
   • Ensure all new developments align with the organization’s brand standards and strategic goals.
   • Advocate for brand positioning and unique selling propositions in all development activities.
6. Leadership & Reporting:
   • Provide leadership and guidance to support staff and external consultants involved in development projects.
   • Prepare and present detailed reports on market trends, project progress, and pipeline performance to senior management.

Key qualifications and experience required.

Within MH, the top-performing people who do this job always demonstrate the following attitude:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Hospitality Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in hotel development, real estate, or a related field, with a proven track record of successfully executing hospitality projects.
• Strong understanding of the hospitality market in Indonesia and Malaysia, including local regulations, market dynamics, and competitive landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate management and franchise agreements and build long-term partnerships.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in English and at least one local language (e.g., Bahasa Indonesia, Malay) is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the region and occasionally internationally.

Professional Competencies:

• Commercial Perspective. Has a good appreciation of the business world and is up to date with hospitality industry developments. Understands how his/her professional function supports the overall needs of the business.
• Financial Acumen. Understands the economics of a hotel project, return on investment calculations and what drives hotel investment decisions.
• Presentations. Able to produce and deliver impactful content with a strong emphasis on visual appeal and design when preparing pitch decks and presentations on Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Project Management. Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects at the same time and adhere to strict deadlines

Personal and Interpersonal Competencies:

• Self-Motivation. Committed to working extended days as required by business needs. Willing to let work issues impact on personal activities & time where necessary. Wants to have an impact on the success of the business.
• Professional Interaction. Able to interact confidently with a wide range of people – owners, consultants, hotel general managers, internal colleagues, adapting easily to different cultures & personalities. Develops network of contacts. Sensitive and diplomatic in difficult situations.
• Communicating & Influencing. Open, honest and clear when communicating key messages. Able to influence multiple stakeholders such as clients and internal teams by logical argument, clear presentation of facts, and personal style.
• Fosters Teamwork. Works collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit. Tendency to think innovatively and able to pitch new ideas.
• Languages: Excellent English writing and oral skills. Additional Asian languages are a plus.