Director Design & Development

Director Of Design & Development Services

The Director of Design & Development Services is a key member of the Design & Development team, responsible for supporting the execution of hotel development, renovation, and repositioning projects across the portfolio. This role partners with ownership, internal teams, and consultants to advance projects from concept through opening, ensuring alignment with asset strategy, brand positioning, and operational goals. The Director will play an active role in owner communication, project coordination and decision support, while building the experience and credibility to lead increasingly complex initiatives over time. The ideal candidate brings strong hospitality project experience, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to balance design intent with operational and financial considerations.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day communication with owners and development partners, building trusted relationships and ensuring clear, consistent updates on project progress
• Participate in owner meetings, presentations, and working sessions, contributing to discussions and helping drive alignment
• Assist in identifying and communicating key risks, opportunities, and schedule or budget impacts
• Manage multiple development, renovation, and repositioning projects from planning through opening
• Review programming, design development, and construction documentation to ensure alignment with brand standards and operational needs
• Coordinate project execution, including site visits, milestone reviews, punchlists, and turnover
• Support value engineering (VE) efforts to align scope, budget, and quality without compromising design intent or guest experience
• Help ensure a smooth transition from construction to operations
• Partner with operations and internal teams to define programming, front- and back-of-house requirements, and staffing considerations
• Ensure design solutions support efficiency, durability, and long-term asset value
• Assist in review of FF&E and OS&E budgets, specifications, and procurement strategies
• Balance design intent with constructability, cost control, and operational functionality
• Leverage and expand a network of 3.5–5 star hospitality consultants, designers, architects, engineers, and vendors
• Assist in consultant selection processes with ownership, including input on RFPs and team composition
• Collaborate with consultant teams to review deliverables, provide input, and drive alignment with project goals, design intent, brand positioning, and operational requirements
• Help facilitate alignment across ownership, consultants, and internal teams to maintain momentum
• Support acquisition and due diligence efforts, including review of PIPs, budgets, and repositioning strategies
• Assist in evaluating capital projects and renovation scopes across the portfolio
• Contribute to recommendations on project scope, phasing, and prioritization
• Utilize established project management tools, reporting, and schedules
• Maintain consistency with company design and development standards while supporting property-specific positioning
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices, particularly in resort and lifestyle segments

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of hospitality design, development, architecture, or technical services experience
• Experience supporting projects through multiple phases of development (design, documentation, construction, or opening)
• Experience working directly with owners, developers, and consultants
• Experience with soft-branded, independent, and lifestyle hotel platforms
• Understanding of programming, design development, construction processes, and project delivery
• Working knowledge of budgeting, FF&E/OS&E and project delivery fundamentals
• Strong communication, presentation, and organization skills
• Experience with mountain, ski, or resort destination properties, preferred
• Travel required: 30 - 60%

Key Attributes

• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with strong communication skills
• Organized and detail-oriented with a focus on follow-through
• Solutions-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Comfortable contributing in owner and consultant-facing settings
• Eager to grow into broader leadership responsibilities

As a valued member of the CoralTree team, you'll receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes: group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits, Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), participation in a pre-tax flexible benefit plan for healthcare and dependent care reimbursement, an employee assistance program, paid time off/sick time, participation in a 401(k) plan with a company match, and a team member free room night program.

Salary range: $125,000 - $140,000/yr. + bonus potential

Location: CoralTree Home Office in Englewood, CO