Director of Developments

At HRI Hospitality, we offer a unique perspective on hotel ownership and management.

We’re here to expand the possibilities of what once was, with our history of restoring properties to their former glory as well as new build projects that become the center of their vibrant urban community, we take it to the next level.

We are looking for people to join our team that share in the passion for warm welcomes and creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. With a wide array of brands in exciting locations, HRI Hospitality is the destination to set course for growing your career!

Essential Functions

• Identify and pursue development, acquisition, and third-party management opportunities in targeted markets.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective opportunities that align with HRI’s growth strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with hotel owners, developers, investors, lenders, brokers, brand representatives, consultants, and other industry partners.
• Proactively source opportunities through industry relationships, market research, networking, conferences, referrals, and direct outreach.
• Conduct preliminary evaluations of potential opportunities, including market positioning, competitive landscape, brand considerations, operating potential, and overall strategic fit.
• Partner with finance and executive leadership to develop and review financial analyses, underwriting, projections, and investment assumptions.
• Assist in preparing business cases, investment materials, presentations, and recommendations for executive review.
• Coordinate and participate in due diligence activities for prospective acquisitions, developments, and management agreements.
• Support the negotiation and execution of management agreements, franchise agreements, letters of intent, purchase agreements, and other development-related transactions in partnership with executive leadership and legal counsel.
• Develop a strong understanding of prospective owners' and investors' objectives and position HRI’s capabilities accordingly.
• Maintain current knowledge of hotel transaction activity, development pipelines, capital markets, brand strategies, industry trends, and competitive management companies.
• Represent HRI at industry conferences, networking events, ownership meetings, and other business development opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and timely reporting of development activity, pipeline status, key milestones, and prospective opportunities.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Revenue Management, Sales, Legal, Design & Construction, and other internal stakeholders throughout the development process.
• Assist with the transition of newly acquired or contracted hotels into the HRI portfolio.
• Perform other duties and strategic development initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in hotel development, acquisitions, real estate, asset management, investment, hotel operations, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing and evaluating hotel development, acquisition, and/or third-party management opportunities.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations, financial performance, valuation, underwriting, and investment fundamentals.
• Knowledge of major hotel brands, franchise structures, management agreements, and the broader hospitality ownership and investment landscape.
• Established relationships within the hospitality development, ownership, brokerage, investment, and/or brand communities strongly preferred.
• Ability to analyze complex financial and operational information and translate findings into clear recommendations.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to independently develop leads and advance opportunities through a long and complex sales/development cycle.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively with senior executives, ownership groups, investors, brand representatives, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel as business needs require.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with full-service, select-service, lifestyle, independent, and/or branded hotels.
• Experience working with major hospitality brands, including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.
• Experience evaluating both existing hotel acquisitions/conversions and ground-up development opportunities.
• Experience securing third-party hotel management agreements.
• Familiarity with hotel P&Ls, STR data, market feasibility studies, development budgets, and hotel underwriting.
• Experience presenting potential transactions and development opportunities to executive leadership and investment stakeholders.

Key Competencies

Business Development: Demonstrates the ability to proactively identify opportunities, cultivate relationships, and convert prospects into actionable transactions.

Financial Acumen: Understands hotel economics and can effectively evaluate the financial and operational merits of prospective opportunities.

Relationship Management: Builds credibility and long-term relationships with owners, investors, brands, brokers, and other key industry partners.

Strategic Thinking: Evaluates opportunities within the context of HRI's broader portfolio and long-term growth objectives.

Negotiation: Effectively balances the interests of multiple stakeholders while working toward mutually beneficial agreements.

Communication: Clearly and professionally communicates complex opportunities, risks, and recommendations to both internal and external stakeholders.

Execution: Maintains momentum throughout lengthy development cycles and consistently follows opportunities through from initial identification to completion.

HRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.