Equinox Hotels will cater to the high-performance traveler guest and those aspiring for high performance and will fuse substance and style to serve as the ultimate hotel destination with a 360-degree lifestyle experience. Offering the bespoke experiences and unparalleled services consumers have come to expect from Equinox over its 25-year history.

Equinox is the arbiter of high performance living. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016, the company is in a category of one, positioned strategically at the intersection of substance, style and luxury.  It has become globally recognized as a provocative lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results. 

OUR CODE:

IT’S NOT FITNESS. IT’S LIFE.

We are passionate about high performance living and we practice what we preach – investing time in our own health and fitness. We believe that everyone has untapped potential within them and it takes a disruptive approach to unleash it. We dream big and don’t settle for the status quo. We sweat the details. We never accept less than 110% to help each other deliver the Equinox experience and enable our members to get great results. We are obsessed with what’s new, what’s now, what’s next. Never following, always leading, living ahead of the moment in fashion, culture and consumer behavior. We aren’t just a company; we’re a community vested in each other’s success.  We value humility and a team approach at every level of the company.

If you are a high performing individual who is passionate about winning and inspiring others, then we are excited to discuss career opportunities with you.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Vice President of Hotel Operations will oversee all hotel operational standards, pricing strategies and third party operational relationships required for the hotel group.  S/He will play a role in the acquisition of new locations by demonstrating excellent operations acumen and profitability throughout the hotel portfolio.  This role reports into the Chief Executive Officer, Equinox Hotels while working closely with the Hotel Group and Equinox leadership team to meet/exceed business and growth objectives.   

The Vice President will provide a single point of leadership in driving the experience strategy and will be accountable for implementation and resource alignment of all operational and customer experience projects and processes that support the business and the strategy.  This individual is responsible for determining a unifying operations strategy that integrates well across the developing disciplines including brand marketing, real estate, technology, human resources, labor relations and sales.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Operational Standards

• Oversee and lead the creation and execution of consistent operations standards to define service protocols
• Develop and drive a passionate, customer-focused vision, strategy and execution plan that can seamlessly accommodate both members and non-members of Equinox Fitness Clubs

• Lead the ideation phase pertaining to operational input on technical and functional design of the hotels
• Partner heavily with design to ensure interior design packages contain rational decisions for operations and ensuring all regulatory code/insurance and FF&E requirements are met
• Lead creation and build of the preopening teams starting with the Hudson Yards project
• Establish staffing and talent plans for hotels and support teams
• Ensure back and front of house strategies align with financial metrics and service ethos
• Partner with Equinox HR and Equinox Hotels CEO with union strategy in key markets
• Co-create a revenue management and room sales strategy for effective ADR and occupancy
• Lead implementation of Equinox’s vision into operational processes within key customer touch points: lighting, music, scent, flowers
• Foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.  Inspire stakeholders, tailoring message and delivery accordingly
• Partner with Corporate VP of Food & Beverage to define and implement on brand concepts into our hotels

Customer Management

• Co-lead defining and implementation of our technology platforms including PMS systems, CRM, and integration to Equinox customer database
• Design a holistic approach to the collection and use of “Voice of the Customer” in prioritizing strategic actions, including development and use of a comprehensive customer experience balanced scorecard
• Implement the application of world class measurement methodologies across the hotel business
• Co-lead identifying core customer segments and create operations plan to attract and retain core customer groups and ambassadors
• Model sales and revenue returns from customer experience initiatives.  Manage the customer experience budget and resources.  Allocate and spend resources efficiently and effectively behind experience initiatives across all businesses
• The Vice President will utilize our digital platforms to create a competitive advantage as consumer behavior continues to rapidly shift in the travel industry.  This will include leveraging emerging platforms, i.e. social and mobile, to drive innovation and support guests throughout their travel experience from purchase decision and transaction to pre/during/post stay guest experience.

Strategy & Growth

• Co-lead forecasting new hotel project costs and returns with a focus on the operational P&L ensuring deal team financial numbers and assumptions contain realistic base case operating margins
• Leverage resources to transform data into actionable insights and provide analysis on current and future trends to support key business objectives; including: market intelligence gathering to identify emerging opportunities, consumer and industry research supporting strategic long-term planning, and primary research efforts to meet business goals.
•  Working with the broader leadership team, translate big picture tech trends into opportunities to enable personalization.  Create the intersection between technology, brand and operations
• Create a performance-based culture that collaborates closely with the business leaders and their respective teams.  Establishes valuable relationships with business heads to ensure that strategic objectives are well supported and executed upon
• Coordinate commercial activity spanning numerous teams, functions and business units within a highly distributed, brand dependent, operationally intensive organization
• Discuss and forecast financial results with the gravitas to challenge and influence the leadership team and Board of Directors
• Work alongside the Equinox Hotels CEO and others to represent Equinox externally, helping shape the evolution of the Hotel Group

IDEAL EXPERIENCE:

·         12+ years’ experience in roles spanning general management, strategy and/or marketing with well-regarded, global consumer and hospitality companies characterized by innovation and a strong customer focus.

• Experience building, planning, developing and executing cost-effective, integrated operation concepts
•  Experience managing lifestyle hotel brands in at least one of the following markets: NYC, Miami or Los Angeles
• An excellent track record of developing business strategies that produce sustainable and scalable income without compromising brands
• Significant P&L experience along with a track record of building businesses; ability to lead diverse teams.
• History of successful operations and financial assignments within the hospitality space.  Proven expertise building consumer-based operations standards and offerings.

• A track record of applying technology to the transformation of businesses and brands – and of partnering successfully with technology, digital and brand teams.
• Proven leadership and collaboration abilities; experience managing and building high performing teams.
• Well-developed verbal and presentation skills; demonstrated ability to clearly explain commercial concepts at all levels and produce appropriate supporting communication materials/presentations.
• A thorough understanding of consumer trends, attitudes, needs and preferences to help Equinox Hotels enhance its operating and growth capabilities.  Successful track record leading operations within luxury and/or lifestyle hospitality.
• The successful candidate will focus on delivering high quality products and services that match brand aspirations and integrity. S/he will need to optimize loyalty program resources and leverage key partnerships to create value for customers while delivering the brand promise.   
• An exceptional thought leader who partners closely with the lines of business and geographies to understand and provide input and insight into operations, marketing, business strategy and product development.
• It is imperative that the VP of Operations is able to articulate future plans, translate strategy and direction into actionable plans keeping in mind the field organization and the company’s overall vision

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• We offer competitive salary, benefits and industry leading commission opportunities for employees
• Complimentary Club membership
• 30- 50% discounts on all Equinox products and services including Personal Training, Private Pilates, Spa and Café’ services and Shop items

HOW TO LEARN MORE:

For more information regarding our company and career opportunities, please visit careers.equinox.com

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Must have a legal right to work in the United States. While we appreciate every applicant’s interest, only those under consideration will be contacted. We regret that phone calls will not be accepted. EOE