Director of Design And Construction

Opportunity: Director of Design & Construction

Hersha Hotels and Resorts is seeking a motivated and highly skilled professional to support and execute a robust renovation pipeline across a diverse portfolio of high-quality, branded and independent hotels and resorts.

This individual must possess outstanding communication and organizational skills and have proven experience directing a team of professionals, including third party project management consultants, architects, interior designers, engineers, purchasing agents, attorneys, hotel operators and contractors. The successful candidate will be an adept problem solver, bring energy and passion to the team and thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

Hersha Hotels and Resorts owns, asset manages, and renovates luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway and regional resort markets. The Company’s 17 hotels totaling 3,105 rooms are located in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, South Florida, Savannah, GA, and California.

Hersha’s portfolio consists of high RevPAR and high EBITDA growth hotels in innovation-driven gateway markets and high barrier resort locations. The company’s segmented local clusters provide immediate operational advantage and local knowledge to drive outperformance in each of its core markets. Hersha is a wholly-owned portfolio company of KSL Capital Partners, a leading global investor in the travel and leisure sector.

Potential Career Path(s)

Senior Director of Design & Construction, VP of Design & Construction

Essential Job Functions

• Act as the single point of contact and maintain ownership of the entire renovation process
• from project initiation to construction closeout, working closely with senior leadership in a
• small team environment.
• Develop and recommend scope through effective interpretation of brand and ownership
• requirements including Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) and ROI projects.
• Develop, analyze and monitor project budgets and produce regular progress reports.
• Prepare, manage or review pre-construction and construction schedules, taking into account
• all necessary critical path milestones.
• Source qualified consultants including but not limited to architects, interior designers,
• engineers, specialty consultants and purchasing agents; prepare and issue Requests for
• Proposals and negotiate contracts.
• Manage the purchasing processes of all owner supplied materials.
• Oversee construction drawing development and the selection of materials, finishes, etc.
• Ensure the contract documents are thorough and complete, best positioning Hersha for
• general contractor bidding, constructability and minimal change orders.
• Coordinate the general contractor bid process including but not limited to issuing Requests for
• Proposals, bid leveling, value engineering, contract negotiating and contract execution.
• Negotiate consultant and contractor contracts. Differentiate business and legal contract terms
• and engage internal decision makers where required.
• Manage the construction phase focusing on maintaining schedules, required turnovers and
• preventing construction delays.
• Visit properties on a regular schedule to inspect construction progress, exercise quality control
• and ensure satisfactory completion.
• Routinely present project status updates to senior executives. Understand what project details
• require escalation and how and when to involve various stakeholders.
• Identify problems and propose thoughtful solutions in a timely, efficient manner.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management and/or significant construction
• project management experience.
• 5-7+ years of experience managing limited service, full service, boutique or luxury hotel
• renovation projects and direct reports.
• Excellent social skills and the ability to operate with diplomacy, tact and empathy.
• Self-starting, results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Procore, Adobe, Bluebeam, AutoCAD and project management
• software.
• Reports to Hersha’s SVP, Investments.

Work Environment and Context

• Philadelphia, NYC, or Miami preferred, with the opportunity for a hybrid work atmosphere. Will
• consider remote flexibility on an individual basis.
• Frequent travel required.

What We Believe

People Are Our Capability – Hearts That Serve – Only Excellence – Stay Nimble - Own It