Director of Lifestyle Profile
Reports to: General Manager, position is exempt
WHO WE ARE
Hotels done differently. It's not just a slogan or catchphrase, it is who we are in everything we do. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character; ensuring our properties are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated as a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities in which we operate; elevating our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. Located in the heart of historic Ybor, a trolley ride away from downtown Tampa, Hotel Haya will be a hub of activity. Blending Cuban, Italian, and Spanish influences, the property will feature 178 guest rooms, over 7000 square feet of banquet space, a world-class restaurant, airy cafe, and lush courtyard with a pool.
Hotel Haya is managed by Aparium Hotel Group which was founded in 2011 by Chicago hospitality executive and entrepreneur Mario Tricoci and luxury hotel veteran Kevin Robinson. The duo saw a clear need for a company that could bring c-suite service and accommodations to underserved, yet distinct and important cities, while maintaining and celebrating the unadulterated character of each. Driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings, Aparium was born with an intense focus on unearthing the amazing moments unique to every city.
Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. It is a sophisticated hotel brand known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.
The candidate's experience is robust and unique and may have had experiences as a designer, event planner, public relations, set designer, musician, curator or entrepreneur - they have sought a variety of life experiences. Excited by a blank page and the scent of a new box of crayons, the individual thinks creatively and acts instinctively. Investigates their own practice of hospitality by improving, refining and collaborating with others. Takes pride in their curiosity, runs away from the obvious, and is stimulated by the never-before-seen. Has learned to trust in their experiences, knows by utilizing their senses it's "just perfect" or "just wrong".
THE ROLE
The Director of Lifestyle has the responsibility for understanding everything that makes Aparium and our cities great by identifying unique opportunities that bring designers, artists, retailers, consumer brands, performers, musicians, brewers, roasters and shop-owners alike into our hotels as that impacts the senses of our guests' experiences. This role develops: partnerships, live performance programming, retail alliances, public events, and experiential services that enhance the properties' relevancy in the local market exudes Aparium's translocal hospitality elements.
The role will also actively develop trusting and transparent relations with collaborators for the hotel. As a leader within Aparium Hotel Group this leadership position will work with a phenomenal group of peers who insist that you are collaborative, humble, experienced and open-minded - no egos are allowed.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Guardian of the Lifestyle
- Recognize that settings and guest experiences can be transformed by design and music; utilizing past experiences in interior or theatrical design, uses fluency in musical genres to curate house playlists for Aparium hotels and restaurants through the portfolio while adapting to the uniqueness of the hotel and its locale
- Find co-conspirators to affirm Aparium's translocal spirit and seeks ways to match, introduce and pair hotel and national brand alliances between hotels and partners; identify business partners that will connect with the brand, not dilute it
- Demonstrate leadership expertise to champion and communicate on-property annual events planning calendar to hotels; ensure hotels own the spirit of local relevancy and adherence of brand consistency; Communicate Lifestyle direction to hotel and continually review and experience events and programming and returns feedback to General Manager
- Lead Lifestyle program by creating and nurturing positive team dynamics across the hotel (train the trainer, shared best practices, annual offsites for lifestyle director group)
- Collaborate with Aparium development team in a pre-opening hotel "Special Project" allowance to innovate and recommend lifestyle attributes, design, touchpoints and programming enhancements
- View travel as needed to deep-dive into local markets; understands impact of in-person communication with hotel leadership and prospective community or national partners
- Oversee programming, partnerships, individual Hotel brand voice and channels of communication to reflect the property itself and its distinct neighborhood and environment
LIFESTYLE CURATOR
- Recognizes that beneficial knowledge and growth can be derived from leaning into opposing thoughts and ideas compared to one's personal likes and dislikes to determine the appropriate program for a hotel
- Will listen to the "B" side of life to explore possibilities, discover hidden nuances that may exist in a neighborhood or location; can envision how a neighborhood's local treasure can transplant itself into a hotel to enhance a guest's experience and knowledge of place and time
- Habitually practices visual exploration as means to stimulate ideation; constantly aware of the need to understand current trends and tastes, surrounds themselves by like-minded individuals to help realize potential and various touchpoints for hotel implementation
- Know how to enter a room, exude confidence and have a presence; recognize and engage new contacts in conversation; displays a collaborative spirit by actively exchanging ideas and overcoming obstacles; valuing diverse opinions and demonstrating mindfulness to all stakeholders
SOUND FINANCIAL PLANNER
- Understand the impact of sound financial planning for hotel profitability and the rewards that come with it; builds an annual budget of hotel's lifestyle, activation and programming billables and expenses to coincide with Aparium's annual budget instructions
- Draw upon or research retail consumer experiences, buying habits, anticipating emerging services and amenities to innovate revenue producing retail products and point-of-sale settings in hotels
- Collaborate with General Manager and team to ensure agreement for proper funding of programs or partnerships and validate the proposal will have an ROI and what identifiable risk factors
- Participate in weekly team meetings to review work in progress, program implementation, ideation on new ideas, and remedy obstacles impeding success
HOW YOU WILL LEAD
- Openly collaborate with all departments in the hotel including Sales, Banquets & Catering, Guest Services, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Culinary to provide an exemplary guest experience; be comfortable in debating ideas before implementing a decision that will impact operations property-wide, as we do not work in silos
- Be respectful in your daily interactions with your direct managers, direct reports, and your peers; be an example of the utmost professionalism and a pillar in your community
- Highly analytical in thought and recommendations; although will never act like the smartest person in the room; and continually seek out the facts; can express a point of view without it be driven by an ego
- Engages others in general conversation tactics to build rapport quickly; and can lead and adapt communication and presentation tactics to engage audience; displays adaptable interpersonal skills for a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
- Approaches fact finding and discovery missions in a collaborative effort; values input and experiences of others that creates additional insight to uncover deeper issues that need to be addressed or removed as a barrier to implementation
- Comfortable in being a "general" in identifying strategic needs, yet can be a "soldier" to ensure the implementation of a strategic plan is implemented
- Prioritizes and organizes their own work when necessary by working flexible or extended hours to accommodate increased workload; can flex to the needs of an opening hotel and short-notice needs
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a role that lends itself to creating a lifestyle, such as interior design, set design, event planning, public relations or curation
- Proficiency of the English language in reading, writing and verbal communication
- Proficiency of Excel, Word, Outlook, Google Docs, PowerPoint
- Adaptable interpersonal skills to represent Aparium and its hotels to local stakeholders, opinion makers, artisans, musicians, and business executives
- Comfortable in their own skin, know who you are and has a point of view
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve.
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Aparium Hotel Group
Apr 16, 2025 