Head of Business Development (m/f/d)

In a nutshell

The Head of Business Development (m/f/d) serves as the strategic link between Member Hotels, Design Hotels, and the Global Business Development teams.

This role is responsible for preserving and sustaining business at member hotels, driving incremental revenue growth, and identifying new commercial opportunities within the assigned region. Through strategic consultation, strong relationship management, and expert representation of the Design Hotels brand, the HBD fosters credibility and trust with member hotels while ensuring full alignment with Design Hotels & Marriott systems, standards, and key stakeholders.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Account & Relationship Management

• Act as the main point of contact for all regional member hotels, maintaining strong, long-term partnerships.
• Provide strategic consultation to member hotels on the optimal use of Design Hotels services and solutions.
• Represent Design Hotels brand, values and commercial strategy to regional hotel partners.

Revenue Growth & Commercial Strategy

• Develop, plan, and execute a regional commercial strategy aligned with global objectives and based on Design Hotels' Global Key Account Matrix.
• Increase revenue performance across the existing hotel portfolio.
• Identify, source, and close opportunities for additional products and services.
• Prepare annual sales and marketing budgets, support forecasting and planning activities for member hotels in the region

Contract & Portfolio Management

• Support contract renewals for all member hotels in respective region
• Support negotiations and execution of supplement agreements for additional services
• Ensure contractual compliance and long-term value creation for both parties

Marriott Integration & Operations Support

• Support all DS/Marriott operational and integration initiatives
• Act as a communication bridge between member hotels and Marriott stakeholders
• Support Marriott-related training across system channels

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate, plan, and monitor delivery of Design Hotels products and services
• Collaborate closely with internal experts across departments
• Ensure timely execution and quality delivery of all commercial initiatives

Market Intelligence & Strategy Development

• Monitor regional market trends, competition, and growth opportunities
• Analyze regional and global strategies to identify revenue opportunities
• Adapt commercial approaches in response to changing market conditions

Competencies

Strategic & Commercial

• Strong understanding of hospitality commercial strategy and revenue models
• Ability to translate global strategy into regional execution

Relationship Management

• Exceptional stakeholder management and consultative selling skills
• High credibility with senior hotel executives and ownership groups

Communication & Influence

• Clear, confident communicator across cultures and seniority levels
• Skilled negotiator with strong influencing capabilities

Analytical & Market Insight

• Ability to analyze market data, performance trends and competitive landscapes

Collaboration

• Strong cross-functional coordination and teamwork skills.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and innovation-driven mindset.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in hospitality prefereably in sales, business development, or account management
• Proven experience managing hotel portfolios or key accounts at a regional or global level
• Strong background working with branded hotel systems (Marriott experience highly preferred)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Marketing, or a related field
• MBA or equivalent advanced qualification is a plus

Skills

• Strong commercial, negotiation and contract management skills
• Excellent presentation and stakeholder communication abilities
• High level of financial literacy and revenue management understanding
• Ability to work independently across regions with frequent travel
• Fluency in English required; additional languages are an advantage

Perks & Benefits

• An exciting opportunity to shape the future of our systems
• A great experience in the niche market of luxury boutique hotels
• Hybrid mobile working options
• Working in a motivated and international team from over 39 countries at the global Headquarters of Design Hotels
• Great benefits at member hotels, brand partners and other employee discounts and special offers, including Marriott Explore rates
• Career development opportunities in an international company

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS

Design Hotels GmbH (www.designhotels.com) is a full-service hospitality consultancy, offering customized services to its member hotels. Under the brand Design Hotels the company represents and markets a curated selection of currently more than 300 luxury hotels in over 60 countries. These member hotels are independently owned but united by a commitment to individuality, progressive design, and cultural authenticity. Design Hotels embodies the most advanced ideas in the hospitality industry and offers discerning travelers new opportunities and inspiration for both a more conscious travel and lifestyle.

The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in Los Angeles, New York, London and Singapore. Since March 2021, Design Hotels GmbH is part of the Marriott International portfolio.

Design Hotels is an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and practice inclusivity. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and our business needs only.