Development Director - 5 Star Hotel Projects

You will play a central role in shaping each project’s development brief, advising on brand alignment, setting budgets and programmes, while providing hands-on leadership to ensure the hotels are delivered safely on time, on budget and to world-class quality standards. This role will be based in Gurgaon, India, with regular site visits across India.

• Mentor and lead a multi-disciplinary team of project managers, design managers, planners, commercial managers, and construction professionals.
• Lead project review meetings, site inspections, and high-level reporting.
• Ensure compliance with international quality standards, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and sustainability objectives.
• Ensure tight control of project timelines through rigorous programme management, proactive risk analysis, and timely decision-making.
• Champion disciplined execution to deliver projects on time and within agreed budgets, without compromising design integrity or operational performance.
• Advise client on hotel operator brand standards and ensure alignment with brand technical guidelines.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and excellence across all levels of the project team.
• Own the project budgeting process end-to-end — from initial feasibility assessments to final reconciliation — with clear cost control mechanisms at every phase.
• Lead project delivery from concept design through procurement and construction.
• Serve as the primary Ascentis lead for all client hospitality projects (currently ~12 greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects under active management).
• Lead internal cross-functional teams and external partners, including designers, contractors, and vendors.
• Steer the change management process, cost reviews, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive accountability on cost and schedule across consultants, contractors, and internal teams.
• Provide hands-on leadership during feasibility, concept design, and consultant selection stages.
• Partner directly with client leadership (CEO, CFO) to define development goals, brand alignment, and performance benchmarks.
• Translate client vision into actionable project and design briefs, ensuring clear articulation of brand standards and guest experience strategy.
• Lead preparation of Project Execution Plans (PEP), including scheduling, budgeting, phasing strategy, and procurement planning.
• Ensure continuous alignment between client expectations and internal delivery standards.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization efforts in collaboration with inhouse and third-party experts.

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management.
• Strong background in hotel development lifecycle: from design through procurement and construction.
• Deep understanding of procurement, cost control, construction logistics, and design coordination.
• Experience managing projects in developing countries is preferred.
• Additional certifications (PMP, RICS, LEED, or equivalent) will be valued, especially where relevant to cost, sustainability, or schedule control.
• Prior experience leading multi-asset hospitality portfolios preferred.
• Confident communicator with executive presence and high emotional intelligence.
• 20+ years of international experience in project management, including proven track record of delivering complex hospitality assets on schedule and within budget.
• Master's degree in real estate development, construction management, or business administration is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with operator-led design and technical standards (e.g., Marriott, IHG, Hyatt).