SVP Operations

SVP Operations

Job Description The SVP Operations will, on a fixed-term contract basis, provide the strategic and operational leadership to accelerate transformation and drive profitable growth globally across all hotels and trains. He/she will foster a growth-oriented culture focused on delivering a superior guest experience while meeting clear financial and operational metrics.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and strategic vision:

• Act as the ultimate leader of the operations division, architecting and executing the brand’s global operational roadmap under the direct guidance of the CEO. Partner with the Executive Committee to design short- to long-term organizational planning to maximize portfolio synergies while safeguarding absolute compliance with all corporate policies, financial guidelines, and management contracts.

Pre-opening and assets launch:

• Spearhead end-to-end pre-opening phases for OE assets by coordinating cross-functional teams (Design, Finance, P&C…) to ensure operational readiness on OE assets (hotels and trains). Develop bespoke operational plans, budgets, and SOPs in alignment with General Managers and owners to secure on-time delivery and maximize investment outcomes

Guest experience excellence and brand integrity:

• Guard the guest experience by championing LQA standards across all assets and providing strategic direction for signature F&B, wellness, and on-board concepts.

Financial governance and asset value optimization:

• Hold full accountability for global operational profitability and long-term asset value, delivering on EBITDA targets, CAPEX plans, and manning guides in close collaboration with finance directors and investors, while ensuring a flawless balance between ultra-luxury service standards and proactive cost management.

Strategic growth and market acceleration:

• Foster high-impact collaboration with Commercial, Revenue, and Marketing divisions to design growth-focused strategies and accelerate booking velocity.

Elite leadership recruitment:

• Lead the recruitment of high-profile operational leaders (General Managers and Train Managers).

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in the ultra-luxury hospitality and railway sector
• Successful history of directing complex, high-profile pre-opening projects from construction/design phases through to launch and stabilization
• Solid experience collaborating directly with institutional investors, asset owners, and board members
• Deep understanding of LQA standards and important attention to detail
• Exceptional negotiation and influencing skills to manage complex relationships
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong sense of urgency
• Professional fluency in English is mandatory. Italian would be a plus.