Director of Development - Hotels & Resorts

Group Director of Development

Director of development

Confidential international luxury lifestyle hospitality group

(Hotels, resorts, city hotels & residences)

COMPANIUM Hospitality has been mandated to recruit a Director of Development on behalf of a confidential international hospitality group. The group operates and develops luxury lifestyle hotels, beach clubs, city hotels, resorts, and branded residences across leading destinations.

The Director of Development will be responsible for defining and implementing the groups global growth strategy, identifying strategic markets, assessing opportunities, and securing new projects and partnerships.

The role involves close collaboration with the Group COO to ensure that all new developments are aligned with the company's operational standards, financial objectives, and long-term vision.

• Define and lead the groups global development strategy in line with brand vision and financial objectives.
• Conduct market mapping to identify priority regions and cities for expansion.
• Perform competitive benchmarking and monitor market trends, pipeline projects, and emerging destinations.
• Recommend development priorities and entry strategies for new markets (resorts, urban hotels, or mixed-use projects).
• Source opportunities through a strong international network of owners, investors, and developers.
• Lead negotiations for management agreements, leases, joint ventures, or selective equity participation.
• Structure deals that maximize value and long-term brand strength.

• Deliver market intelligence on lifestyle/luxury trends, mixed-use projects, and branded residences.
• Conduct detailed feasibility studies, including financial modeling, market demand analysis, and ROI projections for new projects.
• Assess project risks and returns, ensuring robust business cases for executive approval.
• Present recommendations to the COO and executive leadership with clear commercial justifications.

• Work in close coordination with the Group COO to evaluate, validate, and prioritize projects based on operational, financial, and strategic criteria.
• Partner with technical services, design, and operations teams to ensure brand alignment.
• Oversee project milestones from approval to contract execution.
• Support pre-opening planning and ensure smooth handover to operations.
• Represent the group in industry forums, real estate and hospitality investment conferences.

• Masters degree in hospitality management, real estate, business administration, or finance (top-tier international business school or hospitality school preferred).
• Additional certifications in investment, asset management, or real estate development are a plus.

• 15+ years of professional experience in hospitality development, real estate, investment, or asset management.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role (director, head of development, VP, or similar).
• Proven success in originating and closing development deals in multiple geographies.
• Track record in resorts and urban properties, as well as residences, ideally including lifestyle/luxury brands.

• Fluent in English, both spoken and written, with strong business and contractual skills.
• French or Spanish highly valued.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication abilities; able to operate confidently in international environments.

• Exceptional negotiation and financial structuring skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, able to balance creativity and commercial discipline.
• Global outlook with the ability to travel extensively and operate across diverse cultures.
• Charismatic, confident communicator with gravitas to influence at board and investor level.