Commercial Director North Africa and Levant

Job description

Based in Egypt, the role holder has responsibility for delivering market leading commercial performance in the North Africa & Levant region. The appointee is accountable for the development and execution of a commercial strategy and plans to maximize revenues over the short, medium and long term. This role leads and drives relentless focus on delivering commercial targets and growing market share across North Africa & Levant.

The incumbent is responsible for the hiring and development of the next generation of this regions’ leadership and demonstrates leadership that ensures all aspects of the commercial operation are aligned with our Hilton Strategic Priorities and that teams exemplify the Hilton Values in how they operate every day.

The establishment of effective working relationships with Senior Commercial Area and Regional Leadership, Brand teams, General Managers, Management and Ownership groups is also a critical component of this position. The role must have strong communication and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to think strategically to resolve business challenges. 

Position Summary: 

Business Acumen
• Partners with VP Operations, North Africa & Levant  as the commercial ‘arm’ of their business
• Support hotel openings from a Commercial perspective to make full use of the Commercial engines including Revenue Management Consolidated Centre (RMCC) and Sales Operations, HWS, Shared Segment Sales Offices, Marketing, F&B, and HRCC 
• Translate organisational goals and priorities into performance standards for the Commercial Services North Africa & Levant team.

Setting Strategy
• Responsible for the creation of short, medium & long-term Commercial strategy and plan to deliver sustained above market top line performance across North Africa & Levant.
• Clearly communicates strategy and performance against our strategy and initiatives.
• Gain buy-in and support for the relevant strategies and key initiatives required to deliver the strategy from senior stakeholders.
• Leads strategic planning across the Commercial Services team in North Africa & Levant to advance the Company goals while ensuring the communication of key messages to internal and external stakeholders.

Executing for Results
• Leads negotiations with 3rd party suppliers as and when necessary.
• Collaborates with the above property revenue, sales, F&B, and marketing, eCommerce and Finance in North Africa & Levant together with the respective Commercial heads in MEA & EMEA.
• Ensure all Commercial initiatives are planned adequately and managed properly through to delivery.
• Ensure that the Commercial team in North Africa & Levant is integrated in its approach to increasing RevPAR and Market Share.

Leading Teams
• Ensures the Commercial Services teams in North Africa & Levant provide adequate support to all on property teams.
• Maintain and develop talent across North Africa & Levant on property and above property to ensure the highest level of performance is achieved as well as planning for future succession.
• Maintain adequate succession plans to ensure that our team is ‘future-proofed’.

Building Relationship and Using Influence
• Develops and maintains excellent relationships with senior personnel across the company.
• Develops strong relationships with key Commercial partners in MEA and Europe to further strengthen our commercial performance.
• Maintains excellent relations and ensures coordination with the Commercial Services MEA team to enable collective effectiveness.
• Maintain strategic alliances with Global Database Management, HRCC, Distribution & Channel Management, and other important Distribution centres.
• The role will attend property visits, corporate & ownership meetings, budget & forecast reviews.


Direct Reports: 
Senior Commercial Manager and Regional Director of Sales

What are we looking for?

•    Strong relationship building skills 
•    Ability to effectively plan and proactively communicate/manage expectations with stakeholders that may include both internal and external partners (project sponsors/ senior leadership team)
•    Experience in working in a matrix organization

•    Experience in Revenue Management
•    Presents clear and logical arguments and decision based on factual data.
•    Quick and accurate when evaluating complex written and numerical information.

•    Develops constructive relationships at all levels within the organization.
•    Demonstrates leadership and effectively motivates teams, helps others when needed.
•    Maintains effectiveness in situations of disappointment or high pressure.
•    Adapts willingly to change.

•    Identifies priorities effectively, balancing importance, urgency and resources.
•    Manages own personal time efficiently within tight schedules.
•    Strategic thinker while translating financial goals into operational plans.

•    Dynamic, innovative, and creative in finding business solutions.
•    Works effectively and accurately in a fast-paced environment.
•    Ability to challenge while maintaining strong relationships.
•    A high level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide and receive professional, constructive feedback that elevates individual performance and job satisfaction.

Ability to travel 40% 

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For more than a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its  global brands .  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!

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