Managing Director at Red D Recruitment | Executive Recruitment for Hospitality, Tourism and C-Suite Roles | 30+ Years’ Industry Experience
Red D are recruiting a Managing Director for a new hotel development in Northern Ireland.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Managing Director to take full ownership of a new, high-profile hospitality project from redevelopment through to opening and day-to-day operations. The project includes luxury accommodation, several food and beverage outlets, a spa, wellness facilities, and a coffee shop. It needs a Managing Director with enough operational depth and commercial discipline to deliver a fully functioning hotel on time and to standard.
You’ll lead the pre-opening plan, build the full leadership team, implement all systems and procedures, and take responsibility for financial performance from the earliest stages. It’s a hands‑on role with real pressure points, especially around construction timelines, recruitment, and brand development. Anyone expecting a comfortable or “light‑touch” MD job will struggle here.
What the Managing Director will take ownership of
* Delivering the full operational hotel from redevelopment stage to opening.
* Overseeing systems implementation, SOPs, and service standards.
* Building and developing a large multi-disciplinary team.
* Full P&L responsibility, forecasting, commercial planning, and cost management.
* Leading supplier relationships, procurement, and contract negotiation.
* Ensuring operational performance across rooms, F&B, spa, gym and wellness.
* Working closely with senior stakeholders on timelines, budgets and brand positioning.
* Managing all pre-opening and post-opening project phases.
* Senior leadership experience at Managing Director or General Manager level in a 4 or 5 star hotel.
* Proven experience in pre-opening, redevelopment, or major refurbishment projects.
* Operational expertise across rooms, F&B, spa and wellness.
* Track record of building and leading large teams.
* Full P&L ownership with strong commercial awareness.
* Strong systems experience across hotel, property or membership management.
* Experience implementing SOPs and service standards.
* Supplier management and procurement experience.
* Background in hotels with multiple outlets (restaurant, bar, spa, gym, coffee shop).
* Experience collaborating with construction or design teams.
* Marketing or brand development experience.
* Familiarity with the hospitality market in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Key strengths
* Confident leadership and a track record of developing people.
* Strong commercial judgement and financial literacy.
* Ability to manage complex timelines and project deliverables.
* Clear communication and strong stakeholder management.
* High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
* Strategic mindset with practical follow-through.
* Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, hands‑on environment.
Personal attributes
* Professional, credible and able to represent a high‑end hospitality brand.
* Practical, solutions‑focused and steady under pressure.
* Customer‑focused with a genuine passion for hospitality.
* Resilient, decisive and comfortable with accountability.
* Entrepreneurial mindset and continuous improvement mentality.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
* Management
Industries
Hospitality
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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