RIVER - Senior Hotel Manager

Senior Hotel Manager

River – Europe

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person.

Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.

Role Overview

The Senior Hotel Manager (SHM) is part of the Viking River Cruises (VRC) Corporate team. The purpose of this role is to develop the position holder into a Corporate Operations Manager (COM) in the long term. The timeline of this development is dependent on the proficiency of the candidate and the needs of the company. Once completed, the COM is the main responsible manager for an operation consisting of approximately 10-16 upscale hotel ships. Together with a team of functional corporate managers reporting to them, the COM leads an entire regional area.

During the first part of the talent development program you will partly act as Relief Hotel Manager onboard our river fleet in order to get familiar and acquainted with Viking, our standards and the different operations. In addition, you will be progressively involved in corporate tasks assigned by the Directors Onboard Operations. Among other tasks this could include participation in corporate meetings, conferences and leadership trainings, project assignments and taking over holiday relief periods from other COMs.

In the second stage, the candidate will no longer act as a Hotel Manager, but will be fully integrated into the Corporate Team, with the goal of acting as a full holiday relief for all COMs in all operations, and to build up further experience.

The talent development program outlined above is an indication, subject to business needs, and will be tailored together with the candidate depending on their individual professional experience and education. When acting as a Hotel Manager, the candidate will report to the respective COM. Otherwise, the reporting line is to the Directors Onboard Operations.

What You Will Do As Shm

Following the talent development program:

• Manage the assigned operation, to ensure excellent guest satisfaction and smooth operations
• Be responsible for ensuring the Guest Experience is aligned with the Company standard and procedures by conducting quality audits and reviews within the operation
• Ensure the quality KPIs (key performance indicators) and NPS (net promoter score) targets are achieved as set by the Company
• Be responsible for achieving the set onboard and shore excursion revenue targets
• Be responsible for ensuring that the operation is run within the given cost and investment budget (F&B, Rooms Division, Equipment, Furniture)
• Support the onboard teams, and liaise with the Core Team members and the Basel Office as per need; participate in operational pilot projects as set by the office
• Lead a Core Team of up to six members and ensuring an effective and efficient communication and collaborative teamwork
• Conduct ship management performance evaluations – soft skills and performance (people) and quality reviews by using systems in place
• Drive and take an active involvement in Talent Management regarding identification, retention, and development of current and future talent; train the onboard management as per need.
• Execute deviation plans in case of need and take full responsibility in coordinating the tasks and duties of onboard and regional teams in ensuring guest satisfaction
• Act as an official representative to local authorities in case of emergencies, according to corporate standards and escalation pathways
• While acting as Hotel Manager tasks and duties are as referred in our Hotel Manager Job Description
• Assist and support onboard teams to always stay in compliance on safety and hygiene procedures as defined both internally by the company as well as external bodies and organization
  
  

WHY JOIN VIKING? 

Elevate Your Career 

• Regardless of where you are on your career journey, Viking can help you in reaching new destinations with: 
• Paid training program in skills and approach to premium hospitality services 
• On-the-job coaching to help you advance rapidly  
• A lifelong network of hospitality professionals from many different countries 
• Internal transfer opportunities to River, Ocean and Expedition ships 
  
  

On board our ship 

• Lodging, meals, unlimited Wi-Fi, uniforms, and laundry are free of charge for all crew members 
• Single crew cabin 
• Travel to/from the ship provided by Viking at season start and end
• Dedicated crew areas and activities 
• Sundeck area for crew use  
• Employee benefits 
• Paid vacation 
• Referral program 
• Loyalty bonuses 
  
  

About You

Education and professional experience

• Graduated education within the hospitality industry, preferably bachelor level or above
• Preferred advanced university degree in hotel management or business management
• Minimum of 5 years of professional leadership experience in a hotel, cruise and/or tourism industry
• Some corporate level management experience is preferred
  
  

Soft Skills

• Positive, open minded with can-do attitude and an innovative approach in problem solving
• Strong guest-focus, exceptional service mindset
• Experience with guests from our target group/demographics is a strong plus
• Goal orientated, self-motivated and self-directed
• Team player, with collaborative attitude
• Open-minded and flexible with strong social and inter-cultural competencies
  
  

Management & Functional Skills

• Excellent management, organization and communication skills
• Able to work in a multi-faceted decision-making structure with different stakeholders across the organization
• Experience in driving the implementation of projects and corporate initiatives
• Ability to set up, communicate and execute detailed operation analytics
  
  

Other Skills & Requirements

• Professional appearance and demeanour
• Excellent English skills (written & verbal), other languages are an advantage but not a requirement
• Must be able to work independently, and in a collaborative team environment, also remotely
• Flexible and able to work extended and/or irregular hours including weekends
• Able to travel extensively within the operational areas
• Exceptional computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook)
  
  

Applicants for this position need to be eligible to work in the EU without restriction.

APPLICATION AND JOB RELEVANT INFORMATION

Our roles will be subject to our appearance standards (including in relation to visible tattoos) and employees are expected to project a professional image at all times. Visible tattoos are not permitted. Tattoos concealed with make-up, skin-colored sleeves or any covering other than the company uniform will still be considered visible for the purposes of our appearance standards. Exemptions to this may be considered on a case-by-case basis where appropriate. Tattoo removal may not result in successful employment and therefore is not encouraged and is the candidate’s personal decision. Furthermore, any offer of employment is subject to you passing all mandatory medical examinations as required by the company.  For further information, please contact our recruiting team.

DISCLAIMER

As part of any recruitment process, Viking collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data and to meeting our data protection obligations. If you would like to find out more about how your information will be used, please view the privacy notice on our careers page.