Senior Manager, Restaurant & Bars Partnerships at Hilton

Position Summary:

• Supporting the Managing Director of Restaurant and Bar Partnerships in delivering the EMEA Restaurant and Bars Partnership Strategy.
• Sourcing suitable brands and investors for the F&B spaces in existing properties and new properties under development (which shall include Franchise, Lease and Chef-Led Deals).
• Researching latest restaurant trends, customer trends, franchises, operators, and market research using the key successful markets e.g., New York, London, Dubai, …
• Working and identifying reputable restaurant brands and celebrity chefs to grow Hilton’s global restaurant and bar partnership portfolio.
• Preparing market reviews and partnership opportunity presentations for internal and external use.
• Collaborating with the development, and operations teams in the review, selection and implementation process of restaurant and bar partners across different markets, hotel brands and locations.
• Work with Hilton’s legal department on the contractual phase of restaurant commercial agreements, leading the process from initial negotiations with partners to the signing of agreements.
• Work with the relevant finance and feasibility teams across all open properties and developing properties on the outsourced restaurant solution ROI / P&L model to demonstrate the impact of a branded restaurant or lease operation into the determined spaces of the hotel.
• Support Hilton and owners if the agreement is unsuccessful and a negotiated exit or legal case is required. This will involve strong negotiating, commercial, and interpersonal skills to limit damage to Hilton and its owners. 
• Coordinate and track the status of new F&B project development across EMEA.
• Coordinate and track the contracts for all outsourced venues across EMEA.
• Ensure continued communication and regular meetings with F&B Operations team, Hotel Operations, and other internal stakeholders.
• Ensure continued communication with Luxury & Lifestyle, Full Service, and Focused Service brand management teams.

Direct Reports: N/A

What you will bring to the position

To thrive in this role, you will bring a combination of the following qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills. Success will be demonstrated through the following key attributes:

• Strong communication skills to work with owners, owners’ representatives, Hilton leadership, and third parties (brands, chefs, restaurant groups), real estate agencies and landlords.
• Strong commercial skills and an understanding of real estate commercials and contractual arrangements.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to navigate complex contract deal-making, resolve stalemates, and present innovative solutions.
• Interpersonal communicators who positively influence stakeholders and Hilton’s partners at all levels.
• Self-starters who take initiative, operate under time constraints, and adapt to change.
• Strategic thinkers with the ability to formulate long-term goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Individuals who keep up with industry trends and leverage them for Hilton’s advantage.

Required Qualifications

• University Degree or significant work experience in lieu thereof
• Demonstrate extensive experience in the hospitality industry, preferably in hotels, with a proven track record in franchising and leasing of restaurants
• Proven track record of signing deals with brands, restaurant groups and chefs
• Highly numerical, analytical with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, including PowerPoint
• Ability to travel across the EMEA region, estimated at 30%
• Fluency in English 
• Additional language skills would also be advantageous.