The Director, HR (Openings) – Asia Pacific leads the people strategy supporting all hotel openings across the region. The role ensures each new property launches on time and operationally ready by strengthening governance, anticipating risks early, and aligning cross-functional teams across diverse APAC markets.

As the strategic HR partner for openings, this leader connects project teams with hotel operations to ensure recruitment, onboarding, training, and readiness plans progress cohesively. The position also ensures the APAC HR framework is executed well in each region and provides feedback for enhancement. Ultimately, this role protects Hilton’s growth by ensuring every new property begins operations with the right talent, capabilities, and foundational processes from day one.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

This role has a critical impact on the timeliness and quality of every hotel opening and conversion in APAC, which in turn impacts brand performance and commercial performance ramp-up through these performance objectives:

Strategy Planning & Market Insight:

• Identify high-complexity or high-risk projects (e.g., new brands, new markets) and partner with the Regional HR COE (Center of Excellence) and Regional HR Leaders to develop proactive people strategies.

• Collaborate with Regional Opening HR teams to build and maintain an HR Resource Portal aligned to local labor requirements and market needs (e.g., Handbooks, HR policies, contracts, benefit grids, salary structures).

• Provide HR insights to support Regional Opening Operations and Opening Finance, especially in preparing Pre-Opening Fund Estimations (POFE).

Opening Governance & Risk Mitigation:

• Monitor project milestones through the Regional Hotel Opening Tracking System (HOTT) and guide Regional Opening HR to complete all HR critical path items on time.

• Track opening quality using the Opening HR Dashboard, proactively identifying risks and escalating them to Regional HR leadership.

• Conduct regular check-ins with Regional Opening HR teams to maintain alignment and transparency.

• Provide monthly progress reporting and analysis to the Senior Director, HR Operations.

HR Business Partnering & Engagement:

• Serve as the primary HR contact for the Regional Hotel Opening Support Team (HOST).

• Partner with Opening Operations to support owner communications, including pre-opening budget presentations.

• Participate in monthly HOST meetings with Regional Opening HR and help resolve outstanding HR issues.

Opening HR Platform setup & Initiatives:

• Work with Regional Opening HR to gather hotel feedback on the usability and effectiveness of the HR Opening Toolkit.

• Share insights and recommendations with the Senior Director, HR Operations, to enhance HR opening tools and initiatives.

• Work with Regional Opening HR to ensure ongoing upkeep and timely updates of the Opening HR Resources Portal.

Opening HR Operational Support for High-Growth Market:

• Partner with Opening Operations and Opening Finance to validate HR cost drivers in the Pre-Opening Budget and deliver complete HR budget inputs.

• Advise General Managers and HR Leaders on staffing models and budget adjustments.

• Support operational readiness by preparing workstation and laptop requirements for Heart of House areas (upon request).

• Provide staffing assumptions for Team Member dormitories and locker allocations (upon request).

• Conduct HR pre-opening inductions for newly onboarded GMs and HR Leaders within two weeks of their start date.

WHY YOU’LL BE A GREAT FIT

You have these minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or a related field (preferred).

• Minimum 10 years of hospitality experience, with a proven track record in hotel openings and launch operations.

• Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrix environment, partner cross-functionally, and influence senior stakeholders.

• Proven experience in creating and executing pre-opening budgets, staffing plans, and strategic timelines.

• Strong agility and ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-volume project environments.

• High digital fluency - including experience with AI-supported HR tools, predictive analytics, workflow automation, and digital dashboards.

• Advanced proficiency in Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights.

WHAT IT IS LIKE WORKING FOR HILTON

Hilton, the #1 World’s Best Workplace, is a leading global hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of world-class brands. Dedicated to filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, we have welcomed more than 3 billion guests in our more than 100-year history. Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture, and we are consistently named among one of the World’s Best Workplaces. Check out the Hilton Careers blog and Instagram to learn more about what it’s like to be on Team Hilton!