Managing Director

Managing Director

Location: US-FL-Miami

Property: Miami Growth - Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.

With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands.

Overview

The Managing Director is responsible for driving profitability through strategic revenue generation, cost management, and an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction. Beyond operational excellence, this position will serve as the visionary guiding the hotel in the Miami market-elevating brand identity, inspiring a high-performing team, and delivering a world-class guest experience that defines the hotel.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all hotel departments, ensuring the property consistently operates in accordance with Highgate standards, policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the hotel, engaging with Associates, managers, guests, clients, and business partners while addressing operational needs in real time.
• Lead, coach, develop, and hold department heads and Executive Committee members accountable for achieving Highgate's operational, financial, service, and people objectives.
• Foster a positive, team-oriented environment that reflects Highgate's people-first culture and K.I.N.D. Leadership Standards, with a strong focus on Associate engagement, development, accountability, and guest service.
• Develop high-potential leaders and management trainees through coaching, performance management, succession planning, competency development, and Highgate-sponsored training programs.
• Ensure all departments maintain established Highgate service standards, productivity expectations, operating procedures, and training requirements.
• Oversee the hotel's annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial review processes, including revenue, expenses, labor productivity, accounts payable, credit, collections, and other key financial controls.
• Hold department leaders accountable for financial performance and take appropriate corrective action when results are not aligned with budget, forecast, or Highgate expectations.
• Partner closely with Sales and Commercial leadership to drive revenue, strengthen key account relationships, identify new business opportunities, and support Highgate's overall commercial strategy.
• Maintain active relationships with key clients and participate in client meetings, property tours, receptions, sales calls, and other business-development activities.
• Lead regular Executive Committee and management meetings to review hotel performance, financial results, sales activity, operational priorities, Associate matters, and Highgate initiatives.
• Ensure effective recruitment and selection of management talent in accordance with Highgate hiring standards and SOPs, including interviewing finalists for management positions prior to an offer being extended.
• Ensure performance management, coaching, counseling, recognition, and disciplinary practices are administered consistently and in accordance with Highgate policies and standards.
• Champion a culture of continuous learning and ensure managers consistently deliver required departmental, service, compliance, and Highgate training.
• Maintain a strong focus on guest satisfaction by engaging with guests, resolving concerns, and reinforcing Highgate's commitment to service excellence.
• Conduct regular property, guest room, and facility inspections with department leaders to maintain Highgate cleanliness, maintenance, safety, security, and presentation standards.
• Ensure appropriate controls are maintained for financial processes, hotel security, audits, accounting requirements, and corporate reporting.
• Ensure all Highgate corporate initiatives, financial deadlines, reporting requirements, and operational programs are completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Participate in Manager-on-Duty coverage and provide leadership support throughout the hotel as business needs require.
• Serve as the senior property leader and primary liaison with Highgate corporate and regional leadership, communicating hotel performance, opportunities, risks, ownership priorities, and business needs.
• Represent Highgate professionally and consistently with Associates, guests, owners, clients, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as directed by the Vice President, Regional Director of Operations, or other designated Highgate leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive hotel leadership experience, preferably within a full-service, luxury, or lifestyle hotel environment; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in the lifestyle hotel segment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, motivate, and hold senior hotel leaders and department heads accountable for performance.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, labor management, productivity, and financial analysis.
• Strong commercial orientation with an understanding of sales, revenue generation, market positioning, and key client relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with Associates, guests, owners, clients, and corporate leadership.
• Strong listening, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to understand, clarify, and resolve concerns raised by Associates and guests.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, organize departmental functions, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced hotel environment.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate, identify, evaluate, and resolve operational and business challenges.
• Ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex information and data from multiple sources to support sound business decisions.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the hotel and engage with Associates, guests, and leaders in an attentive, professional, and service-oriented manner.
• Ability to move throughout the hotel and remain actively engaged in hotel operations for extended periods as required by the position.