Role Purpose
Co-manage hotel projects, aligned with assigned Manager, Property Improvements & Plan Review, for an assigned territory of franchised hotels which may include a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) for a renovation and/or new development (ND) hotel construction project. Serve as a recognized architectural, design and construction expert for a segment of mid-scale or upscale IHG brand hotels. Manager, Property Improvements & Plan Review will focus primary responsibilities on either PIP discipline or Plan Review discipline as assigned per hiring manager.
PIP Responsibilities (some or all may apply)
Responsibilities may include managing all on-site PIP renovation / new development design and construction activities to ensure compliance with franchise License Agreements, including conformance with any associated PIP, Plan Review and FF&E submittals, Hotel Brand Visions, Hotel Design Guidelines, Hotel Brand standards, IHG Brand Safety Standards and ADA requirements and other related design criteria requirements. Provide construction guidance and assistance to IHG franchisees and their assigned design team consultants through all phases of the PIP or ND projects, including assisting with design / construction solutions as project field conditions arise, ensuring timely and successful completion of projects while promoting Great Hotels Guests Love.
Plan Review Responsibilities (some or all may apply)
Responsibilities include approving (or not approving) project plans, design boards, life safety plans and other related project submittals for a broad range of complex of PIP and ND projects to ensure conformance with Hotel Brand Vision and Hotel Design Guidelines, Hotel Brand Standards, IHG Brand Safety Standards, ADA requirements, and other related design criteria requirements. Provide design guidance and assistance to IHG franchisees and their design consultants through all phases of the PIP or ND projects, ensuring timely and successful completion of projects while promoting Great Hotels Guests Love.
May lead and review the work of less experienced staff by providing mentoring, technical guidance and/or training in daily activities. From time to time provide feedback to management and brand on product related issues / recommendations for improvements.
Key Accountabilities
PIP Responsibilities (some or all may apply)
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Property Improvement Plan (PIP) projects –Conduct PIP visits / product assessments for existing hotel product seeking to License or re-License an IHG franchise agreement. Inspection includes a thorough walk of the hotel assessing the hotel’s architecture and design for appropriateness in today’s market, condition of current product, and conformance to Brand and IHG Life Safety Standards, building codes, and ADA.
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Produce a comprehensive PIP narrative document that lists PIP renovation requirements.
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Conduct and manage onsite design and PIP scope meetings with ownership ensuing onsite renovation activities are in compliance with PIP documents and are on schedule with PIP Milestone Dates.
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Co-manage hotel projects with Manager, Property Improvements & Plan Review.
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New Development (ND) projects – Referencing to Plan Review submittal documents and correspondence, conducts appropriate construction progress visits to ensure hotels are progressing per submittal documents, meeting all IHG standards, and are on schedule per Milestone Dates.
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Meet with ownership representatives during construction phase to set project expectations, determine project readiness, resolve any field construction issues, and oversee conformance to IHG requirements, including conformance to PIP (conversion hotels) and Plan requirements and adherence to brand and life safety standards, building codes and ADA.
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Manage assigned travel budget.
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Reconcile expenses on a monthly basis.
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Proactively consult with Development Team and ownership prior to presenting to Franchise Approval Committee (FAC) to work through scope of work, design issues, and renovation timelines to better improve success rate for FAC approval and License execution for new build and PIP conversions.
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Assist owners with appeal to franchisee / owner PIP waiver requests and timeline extension requests. Negotiate PIP issues and work out all PIP project details to set the PIP scope of work and its timeline for completion. Determine when to recommend to the PIP manager to place slow moving projects, or projects that are not otherwise in compliance with their PIP requirements, into PIP default. Work out viable plans and strategies, where possible, to get hotels through the PIP process in a timely manner.
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Responsible to make sure all construction / renovation milestones are monitored on a pro-active basis and information is communicated to the appropriate IHG parties (eg. NHOP, Plan Review, Quality, etc.).
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Consult with franchisees, design professionals and hotel owners to assist in the development of construction schedules for Property Improvement Plan (PIP) and new development hotel projects.
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Effectively manage an assigned territory by evaluating and tracking progress all ongoing PIP project field activities, prepare written reports and/or summaries for management as needed.
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Manage the Digital Library and electronic project management systems (eg. Digital Project Manager (DPM), PIP Tracking, etc.) for executed projects for content and accuracy of input for assigned projects.
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Periodically perform special Property Improvement Plan inspections both domestically and internationally. Participate in special projects as assigned.
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Lead the enforcement of Brand program compliance.
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Provide timely written follow-up (eg. reports, letters and emails, etc.) associated with all site visits and other forms of communication or agreements with Licensee and their assigned representatives.
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Owner Relations – Manager must develop good franchisee / owner relations offering assistance as needed within reason.
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Manager is responsible for addressing design and construction or PIP waiver requests from ownership.
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Manager is expected to provide design solutions (with assistance of Plan Review Manager) to problems and be ready to recommend known design professionals to assist franchisee upon request or as Manager feels necessary.
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Project size – Typical PIP will cost owner from $500,000 to $5M+ and will involve a 60 to 400 room hotel. Typical New Development will cost an owner $5M to $30M.
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Plan Review Responsibilities (some or all may apply) Effectively manage an assigned territory by evaluating a steady flow of proposed ND and PIP renovation project designs, including evaluation against IHG Brand Standards, suitability of designs, materials, style and coordination for all areas of a hotel project.
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Perform courtesy reviews to pre-determine a project's potential suitability as an IHG branded hotel in order to assist Franchise Sales in pursuing acceptable properties for conversion and development.
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Thoroughly review PIP documents to gain familiarity with project requirements as set forth by the PIP prior to commenting to franchisee on project submittals sent in for Design Review. Manager has the authority to accept submitted design modifications that are not as specifically listed in the PIP if the submitted design meets the intent of the PIP.
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Perform Design Review for all submittals received for all projects within your assigned territory provide appropriate written responses to owner. Review site plans to ensure compliance with applicable laws, IHG Brand Standards, and provide suggestions on required changes or improvements to such plans. Monitor milestone dates for ND and PIP renovation projects to ensure projects are progressing on schedule. Ensure that all documentation is maintained with project file.
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Lead and conduct initial and periodic meetings with Principal Correspondents (Owners), architects, designers, and contractors to discuss renovation requirements, construction direction, and design plans for specific projects. Consult with/guide the project team members through the design process and into the construction/renovation phase to ensure consistency of product. Responsible for communicating any design or construction trend changes or improvements in order to keep the brand’s Architecture & Design requirements current and competitive.
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Contribute to ongoing development of Architecture & Design department’s useful tools and resources to be shared with franchisee community via department website.
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Attend Brand Studio Meetings on a regular basis, providing feedback to the Brand Design team on product and prototype design related issues, request feedback on specific project issues, and provide input towards improvement and growth of the Brand Studio team structure.
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Work as an educator during Design Immersion program sessions and Investor Orientation Certification events, informing attendees of basic design review submittal requirements and brand standards.
Key Skills & Experiences
Education –
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Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture, Design, Construction Management, or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience. AIA or ASID certifications preferred.
Experience –
8+ years progressive work-related experience in design, architecture or construction management, with at least two years prior experience in hotel industry renovation or new build projects. Must have two years prior project management experience in order to coordinate renovation projects within a given territory.
Technical Skills and Knowledge –
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Demonstrate project management experience in organizing, planning and executing complex, large-scale projects from conception through implementation.
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Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills for the purpose of providing information to clients, Design teams, senior management and IHG Internal Partners. Demonstrated ability to communicate supportive program details (presentation, analysis) to present a persuasive argument or to effectively negotiate a position, and to clearly explain specific requirements for active projects.
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Demonstrate computer skills. Experience with Bluebeam, Google Drive/Docs, Microsoft Word preferred
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Demonstrate knowledge of brand standards and full understanding of the differences in the various brand standards. Must maintain a working knowledge of all requirements described in each brand standards manual.
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Demonstrate ability to read blueprints including architectural, mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler systems and electrical drawings.
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Demonstrate ability to interpret design boards and specifications and provide free-hand renderings, layouts or other drawings to clarify design issues or as the need arises.
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Demonstrate ability to remain current with construction trends, code requirements and design through participating in annual continuing education classes.
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Demonstrate ability to effectively prioritize project details and manage time usage to track active renovation, conversion and new development properties, and to determine if plans have been submitted in a timely manner and/or if PIP Managers have performed milestone visits in a timely manner. Must make immediate time available to return telephone calls and work with franchisees when problems arise regarding project development, Brand standards or vendor-related issues.
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Demonstrate knowledge of national building codes and ADA requirements.
This role requires the ability to travel 75% of the time, with short notice, in all LATAM, the rest of the time this role is remote, based in Mexico City (Non negotiable)
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