Vice President of Business Development

What’s in it for you…

• Insurance enrollment available from DAY 1!
• Paid time off available from DAY 1!
• Holiday pay available from DAY 1!
• 401(k) enrollment after 30 days!
• Hotel and travel discounts at worldwide destinations!
• Professional development and promotion opportunities!

The impact you’ll make…

The Vice President of Business Development is responsible for driving growth in third-party management business by leveraging industry relationships and identifying new management opportunities. Additionally, this role will enhance First Hospitality’s relationship in the hotel development, ownership, and capital market communities. Based in Chicago, this position reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Investments.

What you’ll be doing…

• Focuses primarily on generating third-party management agreements and maintaining a robust business development pipeline full of opportunities at all times.
• Designs and executes strategic business plans and tactics that align with First Hospitality’s overarching objectives and goals.
• Identifies, develops, and sustains strong relationships with key stakeholders, including hotel developers, owners, investors, lenders, brokers, capital partners, and brand partners.
• Evaluates investment opportunities necessary to secure hotel management agreements, including key money and sliver equity placements.
• Leads the coordination of all phases of the development process in collaboration with internal development and operations teams, including presentations, market feasibility studies, pro forma projections, RFP responses, and negotiating hotel management agreements.
• Conducts regular outreach to potential clients and represents First Hospitality at national industry events such as ALIS, NYU, the Lodging Conference, and others as needed.

You should have…

• A degree in real estate, business, or hotel administration is required
• Minimum of 10 year’s experience in client relationship management.
• Proven experience in hospitality business development and/or investment is required.
• Results-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to quickly process new information and adapt to change.
• Strong written, oral presentation, and sales communication skills required
• A well-rounded understanding of both independent and branded hotel operations
• Proficiency in MS Office, with the ability to work with spreadsheets, analyze large datasets, and translate them into meaningful insights.
• Meticulous attention to detail with a focus on fact-based decision-making.
• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to clearly communicate ideas and solutions.
• Ability to foster a collaborative environment within the organization.
• Travel is required based on business demands

About First Hospitality…

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Chicago, First Hospitality is a forward-thinking hotel development, investment, and management company.  First Hospitality’s strategic vision is to create value for all through excellence an openness to doing things differently. We are the first and obvious choice in hospitality management.  We are purpose-driven and dedicated to driving results that bring to life the visions of the most sophisticated investors, owners, and partners in the business.  First Hospitality is built on strong relationships that are at the core of everything we do as we are committed to delivering superior results that maximize owners’ objectives. First Hospitality currently operates over 70 hotels across the US representing over 26 brands in full service, premium select and independent segments. 

First Hospitality seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the customers we serve.  FH fosters an inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness.  Equal Opportunity Employer.