IHG
Director of Operations - UK & Ireland
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Whether you're starting out or stepping up, you'll find support, purpose and the chance to grow through every challenge at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
We're seeking a Director of Operations, Managed & Leased Hotels to join our UK & Ireland leadership team. In this role, you'll lead operational performance across a diverse portfolio of managed and leased hotels spanning Luxury & Lifestyle and Premium, Essentials & Suites brands. You'll work closely with hotel leaders, ownership groups and senior stakeholders to deliver exceptional guest experiences, sustainable profitability and support the future growth of the portfolio.
In this role, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across a growing hotel estate, helping hotels perform at their best while building strong relationships with owners, colleagues and stakeholders. You'll drive operational excellence, champion high-performance teams and ensure consistent delivery of IHG's brand and guest experience standards.
Key responsibilities
- Lead operational performance across the UK & Ireland managed and leased hotel portfolio.
- Drive guest experience, quality, loyalty and reputation performance across all hotels.
- Deliver sustainable profitability through strong financial and commercial performance.
- Build trusted relationships with owners, asset managers and key external stakeholders.
- Lead performance reviews and governance routines, ensuring timely action and support where needed.
- Partner with hotel leadership teams to develop high-performing, engaged and accountable teams.
- Drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency and transformation initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight for hotel openings, transitions and portfolio growth opportunities.
- Collaborate with Commercial, Finance, Revenue, HR and Brand teams to achieve business objectives.
- Act as a senior ambassador for IHG across industry, owner and stakeholder forums.
You'll play a key role in shaping the performance and future direction of IHG's managed and leased business across the UK & Ireland, driving results for owners, guests, colleagues and the wider organisation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What we're looking for
- Significant senior leadership experience in hotel operations, ideally across multi-site, regional or portfolio environments.
- Strong operational expertise across hotel performance, guest experience, commercial delivery and quality standards.
- Experience working with multiple ownership groups and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
- Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed teams through influence and collaboration.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, profitability and business performance.
- Experience driving operational change, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Proven ability to drive operational excellence, guest satisfaction and financial performance across a complex hotel portfolio.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership.
What we offer
We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. Including:
- Travel benefits including discounted room rates and food & beverage
- Recharge Days
- Volunteering Days
- Competitive annual bonus opportunity
- Pension and wellbeing support
- Professional development and leadership learning opportunities
- AA global career with one of the world's leading hospitality companies
At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?
Who we are
At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You’ll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there’s Room for You at IHG.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Over recent years, we’ve transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love.
We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That’s why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that’s why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate.
We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference.
Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location