Senior Manager Development Planning IMEA

Role Purpose

Under the leadership of the VP of Development, this multifaceted role provides planning, analytical, and strategic support to the entire IMEA Development team. It involves working closely with internal and external stakeholders to set development strategies, achieve annual business targets, and ensure that senior executives are informed about changes in the competitive landscape and their potential impact on growth. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with regional heads to manage their estates, including signings, renewals, changes of ownership, and various contract amendments.

To work closely with the various heads of regions on managing their respective estates in terms of signings, renewals, change of ownership and various contract amendments

Position is a key conduit for IHG information to flow into the Development team as well as to ensure senior-level management have the information they need to ensure the team can deliver

Key Accountabilities

• Development Strategy & Market Research: Collaborate with the VP of Development and other senior leaders to formulate and execute the growth strategy for IHG in the IMEA region. Conduct comprehensive market research to analyze hotel growth, including supply and demand, new developments, competition, and signing activities.
• Market Prioritization & Competitive Analysis: Support the Business Unit Leadership Team by identifying and evaluating opportunities for new market and brand growth through analysis of macro-economic indicators, travel flow data, consumer insights, and competitor positioning. Work with developers to analyze signings and losses.
• Analytical Modeling & Reporting: Develop and implement analytical models to track and showcase development trends. Prepare detailed reports and presentations for Senior Leaders, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
• Goal Setting & Segmentation: Lead the annual goal-setting process for the Business Unit Development Team, including market, brand, and deal type segmentation (New development, conversion, management vs franchise etc…). Ensure goals align with broader strategic objectives.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Liaise with design, engineering, hotel opening teams, and legal to review and assess potential deals signing and realisation. Keep Senior Leaders informed of signings and removals, with an emphasis on system size impacts.
• Risk Management & Renewals: Monitor potential exits and renewals, working closely with Development, HLG, and Legal teams. Proactively highlight risks and manage the renewal and exit process to mitigate compliance-related issues. In charge to manage and coordinate the renewal and exist process. 
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships within the IHG network and with external stakeholders to enhance understanding of hotel business dynamics and market trends across the EMEAA region.
• Growth Forums & Reporting: Lead the preparation of BU Growth Forums and provide regular growth-related updates to senior executives.
• GOLs Migration & Process Improvement: Act as the Development representative for the GOLs migration and any related process improvements within the Business Unit.
• Development Team Coordination: Oversee coordination among development team members, monitor KPIs, and support the overall development function within the business unit.

Key Skills & Experiences

Educational Attainment:

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field of work or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.  Business or real estate degree with post-graduate qualifications in hospitality are considered advantageous.

Critical Expertise & Experience:

• 5-7 years of corporate or consultancy experience in development, finance or similar, with exposure to a broad range of business issues.  

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong and exceptional computer literacy skills (including MS PowerPoint and Word with super-user capability in Excel – Develop financial models to support market strategy and growth initiatives, ensuring data-driven insights for decision-making.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a process design capability
• Strong levels of proactivity and self-motivation to work comfortably and efficiently with minimal supervision as well as be a team player who works collaboratively with a diverse group of people to accomplish complex tasks (able to multi-task and be willing and able to “wear many hats”)
• Ability to work effectively across multiple business functions and sub-regions, partnering closely with senior leadership teams.
• Possess strong relationship, negotiation, influencing and time-management skills in order to balance competing priorities and business needs
• Strong communication skills 
• Proficient in building presentation (Power Point) , business plans etc..