Director of Rooms Division - The Willard InterContinental Washington

Hotel Brand: InterContinental
Location: United States, DC, Washington

Hotel: The Willard Washington D.C. (WASHA), 1401 Pennsylvania Ave Nw, 20004

Job number: 122493



The Willard InterContinental Washington, DC is one of the most iconic hotels in the Nation’s Capital. Since 1818, the Willard InterContinental Hotel has played host to the world’s social and political elite. Often referred to as the ‘Residence of Presidents’, The Willard has welcomed U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries and celebrities, as well as has been the site of many historic moments in U.S. history. Located in the heart of the nation's capital on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Willard continues to be the hotel of choice for heads of state and leaders of the world's business, cultural, social and political sectors.  The hotel's 335 well-appointed large guestrooms include 41 elegant suites.  Dining options consist of the Cafe du Parc, a popular French bistro with seasonal outdoor seating, traditional Afternoon Tea in Peacock Alley, the classic Round Robin Bar and Private In-Room Dining.  There is over 20,000 square feet of Conference and Banquet space and the hotel hosts events ranging from intimate meetings to luxurious weddings.  The Willard InterContinental combines heritage, sustainability and luxury with contemporary comfort and the latest technology.

Role Purpose

As the Director of Rooms Division you’ll lead the front office and housekeeping departments to ensure a memorable guest experience is delivered and departmental revenue and profit goals are met - always following safety and compliance requirements and local policies and procedures. 

Key Accountabilities

People 

• Direct everyday activity, plan and assign work work ensuring you always have the right staffing numbers    
• Develop your team and improve their performance through coaching and feedback, and create performance and development goals for colleagues - recognise good performance  
• Train colleagues to make sure they hit hotel revenue goals to the standards we expect and have the tools they need to work effectively  
• Recommend or initiate any HR elated actions where needed   
• Drive a great working environment for teams to thrive - connect departments to create sense of one team   
• Interact with outside contacts: guests, vendors, and other contacts as needed  
• Develop and maintain great working relationships with key clients and outside contacts to increase revenue  

Financial 

• Oversee night audit function and preparation of daily financial reports.  
• Prepare and submit statistical, performance, and forecast analyses and reports as required.  
• Maintain procedures for security of monies, credit and financial transactions, guest security, and inventory control 
• Use company systems and processes to maximise revenue. Develop plans to increase occupancy and ADR through walk-ins and upselling at the front desk  
• Hit all personal/team sales goals and maximise profitability  
• Help prepare the departmental budget and financial plans including the hotel marketing plan

Guest Experience

• Provide guests with information (example: loyalty programmes, area attractions, restaurants, facility information) to enhance their experience  
• Schedule conventions and/or business group activities at the hotel and coordinate with other hotel-level departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients  
• Communicate to appropriate departments all pertinent information requirements and special needs for arriving VIP’s, large groups and other key guests  
• Lead marketing efforts to up sell guests on hotel services, offerings, and amenities  
• Ensure front office staff provides guests with prompt service, professional attention and personal recognition  
• Ensure guests are greeted upon arrival and make time to interact effectively with guests. Respond appropriately to guest complaints, solicit feedback and build relationships that drive continuous improvements in guest satisfaction.   
• Conduct routine inspections of the front office and public areas and take immediate actions to correct any deficiencies  
• Ensure that guest satisfaction data is analysed and that plans are developed and implemented to achieve established goals  
• Communicate to appropriate departments all pertinent information related to the expected arrival and departure of VIP’s and other key guests, or other special guest needs  

Responsible Business 

• Work closely with key business leaders, officials, and representatives of local community groups within the city to ensure constant high-profile exposure for the hotel 
• Effectively communicate and market aspects of the hotel that are sustainable or “green” and use information to gain new business opportunities 
• Act as a central communications point during emergency/crisis situations; develop and maintain relationships with local fire, police, and emergency personnel.   
• Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and brand in the local community and promote team member involvement in community outreach efforts.  
• Work with advertising agencies, consulting firms, and vendors to maximise advertising investments and ensure ads represent brand identity 
• Raise the awareness and reputation of your hotel and the brand locally – occasionally acting as hotel representative for media related enquiries 
• Identify improvements to marketing activities and overall hotel sales performance and work with other departments  
• Ad-hoc duties – unexpected moments when we have to pull together to get a task done  
• Regularly audit all financial transactions to ensure governmental regulations and data privacy requirements are met.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. May also serve as manager on duty.  

Accountability

This is the top rooms division job in a large, luxury, resort, or major flagship hotel with an extensive range of facilities and services, demanding competitive pressures, and a large number of VIP and key guests. Directly and indirectly supervises a large number of front office and housekeeping employees

Key Skills & Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent in Hotel Administration, Business Administration  
• Four years of guest service/hotel experience with two years in a management capacity, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience 
• Must speak local language (s)   
• Other languages preferred

At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?

As the world’s first and most global luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has pioneered international travel since the 1940s, we are passionate about sharing our renowned international know-how and cultural wisdom in truly impressive surroundings. We all take great pride in being genuine ambassadors of the InterContinental®️ brand and to be part of the brand you will have a thirst for travel, passion for culture and appreciation for diversity. We create inspiring experiences for those seeking a richer perspective on the world. If you’d like to embrace a world of opportunities, we’d like to welcome you to the world’s most international luxury hotel brand.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.