Location: Sea Breeze Resort, Baku, Azerbaijan

Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Level 

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Cluster CEO with a solid background in the hospitality industry to lead our multi-property operations. The Cluster CEO will be responsible for the strategic leadership, commercial performance, operational excellence, and brand consistency across all cluster properties.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the cluster CEO's responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Planning:

Define and execute overall commercial strategy: This includes aligning sales and marketing objectives with overall business goals, leading market positioning, and driving brand visibility. 

Develop annual budgets and forecasts: Ensuring revenue targets are met or exceeded across all properties. Drive revenue growth, cost efficiency, and profitability across properties

Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities: Recognizing and pursuing growth prospects within the cluster. 

Operational Management:

• Ensure consistent brand standards: Maintaining high service standards across all departments in each hotel. Oversee day-to-day operations across all hotels and hospitality units within the cluster.
• Oversee day-to-day operations: Coordinating activities and ensuring smooth operations across all properties. 
• Manage financial performance: Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), managing budgets, and ensuring profitability. 
• Lead and develop high-performing teams: Fostering a positive and productive work environment, recruiting and training staff, and providing leadership and guidance. 
• Maintain owner and stakeholder relations: Regularly reporting on performance, progress, and market insights. 

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Drive efficiency and improve processes:
• Implementing strategies to optimize operations and enhance guest experiences. 

Foster a strong team culture:

• Promoting collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to excellence. 

Represent the hotel group within the local community:

• Engaging with local partners and stakeholders, and promoting the brand within the local tourism and hospitality network. 

Adapt to changing market conditions:

• Recognizing and responding to trends in the hospitality industry and adjusting strategies as needed.
• Foster a culture of excellence in guest service and employee engagement.
• Maintain high standards in quality assurance, brand compliance, and operational SOPs.
• Build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including tourism boards, investors, and global partners.
• Lead business development initiatives, including expansions and renovations.

Engineering-Related Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight of Engineering Operations

• Set long-term goals for property maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and capital projects.
• Approve and monitor engineering budgets for preventive maintenance, energy management, and renovations.
• Ensure engineering aligns with overall brand standards, guest experience goals, and sustainability strategies.

Capital Planning and Asset Management

• Oversee Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) planning and implementation across all properties.
• Review proposals for major renovations, system upgrades, and facility expansions.
• Ensure that all assets are properly maintained to preserve property value and guest safety.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure all engineering operations comply with local building codes, fire safety, health & safety, and environmental regulations.
• Drive risk management strategies including emergency systems (fire alarms, sprinklers, power backup).
• Approve policies related to compliance audits and incident reporting.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

• Support the engineering team in implementing energy-saving initiatives (HVAC optimization, LED lighting, water recycling, etc.).
• Drive sustainability goals like reducing carbon footprint, waste management, and green certifications (e.g., LEED, Green Globe).

Preventive Maintenance Planning

• Ensure standard preventive maintenance schedules are being implemented across all properties.
• Monitor the effectiveness and consistency of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or other tools.

Crisis and Contingency Preparedness

• Ensure Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) include engineering-related contingencies (e.g., power outages, flooding, HVAC failures).
• Review critical system redundancies across properties (e.g., generators, fire pumps, emergency lighting).

Below are the typical requirements for someone applying for this position:

Minimum Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in: Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Hotel & Tourism Management or a related field
• Master’s Degree (preferred): MBA or Executive MBA (especially with a focus on hospitality, finance, or leadership)

Professional Experience:

• 10+ years in the hospitality industry, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Experience with pre-opening hotels or launching new brands
• Proven experience overseeing multiple properties (e.g., hotels, resorts, or service residences) as: Cluster General Manager, Regional Director, Area Manager.
• Exposure to hospitality investment, franchising, or asset management
• A track record of innovation in guest service, digital transformation, or sustainability practices.

Demonstrated success in: 

• Revenue growth, Cost control, Operational efficiency, Guest satisfaction and service standards
• Experience in both luxury and mid-scale brands (preferred in global chains or branded groups)

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership
• Ability to develop and implement regional or cluster-level strategies
• Long-term planning and decision-making.

 Financial Acumen:

• Budgeting and P&L responsibility across multiple properties;
• ROI-focused planning and investment decision-making.

Operations Management:

• In-depth understanding of hotel operations (front office, housekeeping, F&B, engineering)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) optimization

Sales & Marketing Insight

• Knowledge of revenue management, digital marketing, and sales strategy
• Ability to boost occupancy, RevPAR, and brand positioning

Technology Proficiency

• Familiarity with Property Management Systems (PMS) like Opera, Elektra, Fidileo;
• Use of data analytics tools and guest experience platforms.

 Leadership & People Management

• Ability to lead and inspire large, multicultural teams
• Strong HR and talent development background

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel frequently between cluster properties
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Fluency in English and Russian (additional languages like Arabic, French, or Chinese can be an asset depending on the region);
• Cultural sensitivity, especially in international or diverse regional clusters

Interested candidates can send their CV to the e-mail address in the Apply for job button.