Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer – Luxury Country House Hotel Group

Location: Hertfordshire, UK

Salary: Competitive

We are delighted to be partnering with an established and growing luxury country house hotel group to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operational performance and continued growth of the business.

This is a pivotal leadership position, working closely with the ownership and senior leadership team to shape the next chapter of the group. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for operational excellence across the portfolio, ensuring each property delivers an exceptional guest experience while achieving strong commercial and financial performance.

Based in Hertfordshire, the COO will provide strategic and operational leadership across the group's country house hotels, working closely with General Managers and functional leaders to ensure consistency, accountability and high performance across the portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Providing overall leadership and direction across the group's hotel operations.
• Working closely with the owners and senior leadership team to develop and deliver the group's strategic objectives.
• Driving operational performance, profitability and sustainable revenue growth across the portfolio.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team of General Managers and senior operational leaders.
• Establishing clear operational standards, KPIs and accountability across the business.
• Ensuring consistently high standards of guest experience, service and product delivery.
• Working closely with commercial and revenue teams to maximise occupancy, ADR, RevPAR and overall profitability.
• Overseeing annual budgets, forecasting, capital expenditure and operational investment.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, productivity and operating efficiencies without compromising the guest experience.
• Supporting the development, refurbishment and opening of properties across the group where required.
• Ensuring effective compliance across health & safety, licensing, employment and other relevant operational requirements.
• Building a strong culture centred around service, people development and accountability.
• Acting as a senior ambassador for the group with key stakeholders, owners, partners and industry contacts.

Requirements:

• We are looking for an accomplished hotel operator with significant experience at group, regional or multi-property level within the luxury or upper-upscale hospitality sector.
• You will ideally bring:
• Proven experience operating across multiple hotels or a complex hospitality portfolio.
• A strong background in luxury hotels, country house hotels, resorts or high-end independent hospitality.
• Experience leading and developing General Managers and senior operational teams.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with a track record of improving profitability and operational performance.
• Experience working closely with owners, investors or a board.
• A strong understanding of guest experience, service standards and luxury hospitality.
• Experience overseeing capital projects, refurbishments or property development would be advantageous.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• A hands-on, visible leadership style combined with the ability to think strategically.
• The credibility and gravitas to operate effectively at board and ownership level.