Director of Development - Vietnam

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality leader with over 560 hotels and resorts across six continents, a diverse portfolio of F&B businesses and a selection of luxury transportation services. With over four decades of experience, we build stronger brands, foster lasting partnerships, and drive business success by staying focused on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

Wherever your journey leads, Minor Hotels delivers exceptional experiences around the globe. Explore our history, meet the people behind our success and discover the values that shape who we are today.

The Director of Development for Vietnam will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing hotel development opportunities in Vietnam. This role requires a strategic leader with deep industry knowledge, strong relationships in the hospitality sector, and the ability to drive growth through franchise agreements and management contracts. The Director will play a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s presence in this dynamic market.

Within this, the key responsibilities for this position are to:

1. Strategic Planning & Execution:
   • Develop and implement a robust development strategy for Vietnam, aligned with the organization’s global and regional growth objectives.
   • Support the Feasibility team with market research and data collection to assess opportunities for new hotel developments and conversions.
2. Business Development:
   • Source, evaluate, and negotiate potential hotel projects, including franchise agreements and management contracts.
   • Build and maintain a strong pipeline of development opportunities across Vietnam.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Cultivate and strengthen relationships with property owners, developers, investors, and government authorities.
   • Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and networking forums to promote the brand and identify new opportunities.
4. Project Oversight:
   • Oversee the due diligence process, including financial modeling, market analysis, and legal review, to ensure projects meet the organization’s standards.
   • Collaborate with internal teams, including design, operations, and legal, to support project approvals and ensure seamless execution.
5. Brand Alignment:
   • Ensure all new developments align with the organization’s brand standards and strategic goals.
   • Advocate for brand positioning and unique selling propositions in all development activities.
6. Leadership & Reporting:
   • Provide leadership and guidance to support staff and external consultants involved in development projects.
   • Prepare and present detailed reports on market trends, project progress, and pipeline performance to senior management.

Key qualifications and experience required.

Within MH, the top-performing people who do this job always demonstrate the following attitude:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Hospitality Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in hotel development, real estate, or a related field, with a proven track record of successfully executing hospitality projects. 
• Strong understanding of the hospitality market in Vietnam, including local regulations, market dynamics, and competitive landscape.
• Demonstrated ability and track record of negotiating and signing hotel management and/or franchise agreements.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in English and Vietnamese. 
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country.

Professional Competencies:

• Commercial Perspective. Has a good appreciation of the business world and is up to date with hospitality industry developments. Understands how his/her professional function supports the overall needs of the business.
• Financial Acumen. Understands the economics of a hotel project, return on investment calculations and what drives hotel investment decisions.  
• Presentations. Able to produce and deliver impactful content with a strong emphasis on visual appeal and design when preparing pitch decks and presentations on Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Project Management. Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects at the same time and adhere to strict deadlines

Personal and Interpersonal Competencies:

• Self-Motivation. Committed to working extended days as required by business needs. Willing to let work issues impact on personal activities & time where necessary. Wants to have an impact on the success of the business.
• Professional Interaction. Able to interact confidently with a wide range of people – owners, consultants, hotel general managers, internal colleagues, adapting easily to different cultures & personalities. Develops network of contacts. Sensitive and diplomatic in difficult situations.
• Communicating & Influencing. Open, honest and clear when communicating key messages. Able to influence multiple stakeholders such as clients and internal teams by logical argument, clear presentation of facts, and personal style.
• Fosters Teamwork. Works collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit. Tendency to think innovatively and able to pitch new ideas.
• Languages: Excellent English writing and oral skills. Additional Asian languages are a plus.