Vice President Hotel Operations - Japan
(Applicants must have a thorough understanding of Japan and the Japanese hospitality industry)
A leading global hospitality company is seeking a dynamic and visionary Vice President Operations – Japan to lead and oversee its expanding portfolio across Japan. Based in Tokyo, this executive leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, owner relations, business growth, and strategic transformation across a portfolio of hotels and serviced residences.
The company currently operates and/or manages almost three dozen properties in Japan. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the future growth and positioning of the company in one of Asia's most sophisticated hospitality markets.
The ideal candidate is a highly respected hospitality executive with strong operational leadership experience in Japan and a proven ability to manage multi-unit hotel or serviced residence operations. This position reports directly to the Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer, who also serves as Managing Director for Korea and Japan.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all hotels and serviced residences across Japan.
- Drive overall business performance, profitability, guest satisfaction, and operational excellence across the portfolio.
- Lead and inspire General Managers and senior leadership teams to achieve company objectives and performance targets.
- Develop and execute the company's growth strategy within Japan, including identifying new management agreements, acquisitions, partnerships, and development opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with hotel owners, investors, business partners, and key stakeholders.
- Act as the primary liaison between the Japan operations and regional/global headquarters.
- Engage regularly with senior corporate leadership and C-level executives on strategic planning, operational performance, and growth initiatives.
- Champion transformation initiatives by improving systems, processes, culture, and operational efficiencies across the organization.
- Ensure all operations comply with company standards, local regulations, and brand expectations.
- Foster a high-performance culture focused on leadership development, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
Mandatory Requirements
- Extensive senior leadership experience within the hospitality industry, ideally overseeing a diversity of multi-unit hotel types.
- Strong understanding of the Japanese hospitality market, business culture, and operational environment.
- Previous work experience in Japan is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to manage owner relations and complex stakeholder environments.
- Proven strategic and commercial acumen with the ability to drive growth and operational performance.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire teams and lead organizational transformation.
- Experience interacting with senior executives and corporate leadership teams.
- Fluency in Japanese or strong Japanese language capability is highly preferred.
- International exposure and experience working within global hospitality organizations is advantageous.
- Candidates must be comfortable living and working in Japan and able to successfully integrate into the local culture and business environment.
The company is seeking a forward-thinking leader with:
- A strong reputation internally and externally within the hospitality industry.
- An appetite for growth and innovation rather than maintaining the status quo.
- Vision, strategic capability, and execution strength to accelerate expansion in Japan while maintaining operational excellence.
- The ability to inspire teams and lead meaningful cultural and operational transformation.
Compensation
A very attractive executive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and international hospitality expertise.
Best regards,
Stephen J. Renard
Stephen J. Renard
President
Renard International Hospitality Search Consultants
Recipient of the 31st Annual Pinnacle Awards: Hotelier Magazine, 2019 Supplier of the Yearhttps://www.hoteliermagazine.com/2019-pinnacle-awards-renard/
