DIRECTOR OF LIFESTYLE
Reports to: General Manager, position is exempt
WHO WE ARE
Hotels done differently. At Aparium, we believe in the power of People, Place and Character. We ensure our hotels are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated, elevating our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. Our hotel is a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities where we operate.
Nestled in the heart of Pioneer Square, Hotel Westland is poised to make its grand debut in early 2025, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking renaissance of the Railspur District. This historic building, originally constructed in 1907 as the Manufacturers Exchange Building, built of sturdy brick and heavy timber is a testament to the craft of the hands that built it - merging and weaving the historic narratives of the great continental railways and the bustling seaport of Seattle. This soon to be iconic 120 room boutique houses three distinct food & beverage outlets, elevated amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting spaces designed for socializing, co-working, creating, eating, drinking, and relaxing.
The hotel brings together world travelers and neighbors alike while showcasing Seattle's rich legacy and knack for innovation through thoughtful touches from local businesses and artisans. The Railspur development links the history of Pioneer Square with Seattle's posture towards progress and purpose, all converging and connecting in Seattle's first neighborhood.
The hotel is managed by Aparium Hotel Group. Founded in 2011, Aparium is driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings and was born with an intense focus on unearthing the amazing moments unique to every city. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. Recognized by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards as a leading hotel brand, Aparium is known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.
THE ROLE
The Director of Lifestyle has the responsibility for understanding everything that makes Aparium and our cities great by identifying unique opportunities that bring designers, artists, retailers, consumer brands, performers, musicians, brewers, roasters and shop-owners alike into our hotels as that impacts the senses of our guests' experiences. This role develops: partnerships, live performance programming, retail alliances, public events, and experiential services that enhance the properties' relevancy in the local market exudes Aparium's translocal hospitality elements.
The role will also actively develop trusting and transparent relations with collaborators for the hotel. As a leader within Aparium Hotel Group this leadership position will work with a phenomenal group of peers who insist that you are collaborative, humble, experienced and open-minded - no egos are allowed.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Guardian of the Lifestyle
- Recognize that settings and guest experiences can be transformed by design and music; utilizing past experiences in interior or theatrical design, uses fluency in musical genres to curate DJs and musicians for Aparium hotels and restaurants through the portfolio while adapting to the uniqueness of the hotel and its locale
- Find co-conspirators to affirm Aparium's translocal spirit and seeks ways to match, introduce and pair hotel and national brand alliances between hotels and partners; identify business partners that will connect with the brand, not dilute it
- Demonstrate leadership expertise to champion and communicate on-property annual events planning calendar to hotels; ensure hotels own the spirit of local relevancy and adherence of brand consistency; Communicate Lifestyle direction to hotel and continually review and experience events and programming and returns feedback to General Manager
- Lead Lifestyle program by creating and nurturing positive team dynamics across the hotel (train the trainer, shared best practices, annual offsites for lifestyle director group)
- Collaborate with Aparium development team in a pre-opening hotel "Special Project" allowance to innovate and recommend lifestyle attributes, design, touchpoints and programming enhancements
- View travel as needed to deep-dive into local markets; understands impact of in-person communication with hotel leadership and prospective community or national partners
- Oversee programming, partnerships, individual Hotel brand voice and channels of communication to reflect the property itself and its distinct neighborhood and environment
Lifestyle Curator
- Recognizes that beneficial knowledge and growth can be derived from leaning into opposing thoughts and ideas compared to one's personal likes and dislikes to determine the appropriate program for a hotel
- Will listen to the "B" side of life to explore possibilities, discover hidden nuances that may exist in a neighborhood or location; can envision how a neighborhood's local treasure can transplant itself into a hotel to enhance a guest's experience and knowledge of place and time
- Habitually practices visual exploration as means to stimulate ideation; constantly aware of the need to understand current trends and tastes, surrounds themselves by like-minded individuals to help realize potential and various touchpoints for hotel implementation
- Know how to enter a room, exude confidence and have a presence; recognize and engage new contacts in conversation; displays a collaborative spirit by actively exchanging ideas and overcoming obstacles; valuing diverse opinions and demonstrating mindfulness to all stakeholders
Sound Financial Planner
- Understand the impact of sound financial planning for hotel profitability and the rewards that come with it; builds an annual budget of hotel's lifestyle, activation and programming billables and expenses to coincide with Aparium's annual budget instructions
- Draw upon or research retail consumer experiences, buying habits, anticipating emerging services and amenities to innovate revenue producing retail products and point-of-sale settings in hotels
- Collaborate with General Manager and team to ensure agreement for proper funding of programs or partnerships and validate the proposal will have an ROI and what identifiable risk factors
- Participate in weekly team meetings to review work in progress, program implementation, ideation on new ideas, and remedy obstacles impeding success
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a role that lends itself to creating a lifestyle, such as interior design, set design, event planning, public relations, partnerships or curation, brand ambassadorship or hospitality
- Proficiency of the English language in reading, writing and verbal communication
- Proficiency of Excel, Word, Outlook, Google Docs, PowerPoint
- Adaptable interpersonal skills to represent Aparium and its hotels to local stakeholders, opinion makers, artisans, musicians, and business executives
- Comfortable in their own skin, know who you are and has a point of view
HOW YOU WILL LEAD
- Openly collaborate with all departments in the hotel including Sales, Banquets & Catering, Guest Services, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Culinary to provide an exemplary guest experience; be comfortable in debating ideas before implementing a decision that will impact operations property-wide, as we do not work in silos
- Be respectful in your daily interactions with your direct managers, direct reports, and your peers; be an example of the utmost professionalism and a pillar in your community
- Highly analytical in thought and recommendations; although will never act like the smartest person in the room; and continually seek out the facts; can express a point of view without it be driven by an ego
- Engages others in general conversation tactics to build rapport quickly; and can lead and adapt communication and presentation tactics to engage audience; displays adaptable interpersonal skills for a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
- Approaches fact finding and discovery missions in a collaborative effort; values input and experiences of others that creates additional insight to uncover deeper issues that need to be addressed or removed as a barrier to implementation
- Comfortable in being a "general" in identifying strategic needs, yet can be a "soldier" to ensure the implementation of a strategic plan is implemented
- Prioritizes and organizes their own work, when necessary, by working flexible or extended hours to accommodate increased workload; can flex to the needs of an opening hotel and short-notice needs
SALARY
$75,000 - $85,000
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment and sense of belonging. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.
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Aparium Hotel Group
Dec 27, 2024 