General Manager - Gran Meli Jumeirah

Melia hotels international

The Gran Meli Jumeirah built directly by the sea on a pristine white-sand beach, is located on one of the peninsulas of Port de la Mer. This luxury property will feature 380 rooms and suites, offering direct access to the marina, event facilities with capacity for over 1,000 guests, and exceptional wellness and fitness experiences.

In the culinary field, Gran Meli Dubai aims to become a new benchmark, hosting a curated selection of world-class dining concepts and brands to create truly iconic restaurants and bars within the hotel.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Gran Meli Jumeirah will represent the pinnacle of Meli Hotels International s luxury portfolio a sanctuary of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication located in the heart of Dubai s prestigious Jumeirah district. As General Manager, you will lead this exceptional pre-opening project and establish the property as one of the region s most distinguished ultra-luxury destinations.

You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring flawless execution, profitability, and alignment with Gran Meli s philosophy of "Spanish luxury defined by culture, excellence, and soul."

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to bring to life a flagship hotel that will redefine luxury hospitality in the Middle East.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership:
  Provide direct support to the Managing Director for Central Europe, Middle East & Africa in all operational, strategic, and financial matters, ensuring alignment with the company s global vision for the Gran Meli brand.

• Pre-Opening Excellence:
  Lead the pre-opening phase by coordinating the implementation of all operational systems, recruitment, training, and brand standards, ensuring a seamless transition from project stage to successful launch.

• Operational Excellence:
  Oversee and direct all hotel departments Rooms, Food & Beverage, Spa, Finance, Sales & Marketing, and HR ensuring consistency in performance, quality, and service standards of the highest level.

• Service & Guest Experience:
  Inspire a culture of exceptional, anticipatory, and personalized service, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects Gran Meli s hallmark of discreet luxury and cultural sophistication.

• Owner & Stakeholder Relations:
  Act as the primary liaison with ownership groups and key stakeholders, managing expectations with transparency, strategic insight, and commercial acumen.

• Financial & Business Performance:
  Drive profitability through effective revenue management, cost control, and operational efficiency, while maintaining an unwavering focus on guest satisfaction and brand reputation.

• People Leadership & Talent Development:
  Foster a high-performance culture, identifying and developing top talent, promoting internal growth, and ensuring the team embodies the values of elegance, empathy, and excellence.

• Brand Stewardship:
  Uphold the Gran Meli identity, ensuring brand positioning, storytelling, and experiential elements are consistently reflected throughout the guest journey.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience:

  • Minimum 4 years of experience as General Manager within an ultra-luxury international hotel chain is mandatory.
  • Proven track record in pre-openings and large-scale luxury operations, ideally in leisure or resort destinations.
  • Previous experience in the Middle East is highly desirable.
  • Strong background in owner relations and reporting to investors or property representatives.

• Profile & Skills:

  • Deep understanding of ultra-luxury guest expectations and the ability to deliver highly personalized, world-class experiences.
  • Strong operational and financial acumen with a strategic mindset.
  • Charismatic, composed, and empathetic leadership style, capable of inspiring large multicultural teams.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and decision-making abilities.
  • Exceptional sense of aesthetics, detail, and quality in all aspects of the operation.

• Education & Languages:

  • Degree in Hospitality Management or a related field.
  • Fluent in English (mandatory).

• Technical Knowledge:

  • Solid knowledge of hotel systems (PMS, POS, Revenue Management, CRM).
  • Familiarity with IT tools and analytical reporting platforms used in hospitality management.

• Other Requirements:

  • Must be able to reside in Dubai, Jumeirah area.
  • Culturally adaptable and globally minded professional.