Job Description – CDO – Hotels Division

Role Summary

The Chief Development Officer – Hotels Division will provide

strategic leadership and overall accountability for the planning, design, development, construction, execution, and delivery of all hospitality projects . The CDO will be responsible for

building and executing the organization's hotel development roadmap, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality, safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

This role requires a seasoned engineering leader with extensive experience in managing

large-scale hospitality and mixed-use developments valued between ₹500–1,000 crore . The incumbent must have successfully led

multi-site, multi-location hotel projects

in a corporate leadership role and possess the capability to oversee the complete project lifecycle—from concept and planning to commissioning and operational handover.

The CDO will lead the entire Projects organization, with

Project Heads across all locations, the Head – MEP, AVP – Design, Projects Procurement, Planning, Contracts, and Quality teams

reporting into this position.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the long-term development strategy for the Hotels Division.
Lead the planning and execution of greenfield, brownfield, mixed-use, and hotel renovation projects across India.
Establish project governance, execution frameworks, and best practices to ensure consistent project delivery.

Drive innovation, value engineering, and sustainable development initiatives across all projects.

Project Planning & Execution

Provide overall leadership for the complete project lifecycle, including: Project feasibility and planning

Master planning
Design management
Budgeting & CAPEX planning
Procurement strategy
Construction management
MEP execution
Interior fit-outs & FF&E;
Testing & Commissioning
Hotel Pre-opening Support
Final Handover to Operations

Ensure all projects are delivered within approved timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

Multi-Site Project Management
Oversee multiple hospitality projects across India simultaneously.
Review project schedules, budgets, risks, and progress on a regular basis.
Drive timely decision-making to resolve project bottlenecks.





Conduct periodic project reviews and site visits to monitor execution quality.

Design & Engineering Leadership
Provide strategic oversight to the Design and Engineering functions.
Ensure architectural, structural, civil, MEP, and interior designs align with business objectives and international hospitality standards.
Drive value engineering initiatives to optimize lifecycle costs without compromising guest experience or quality.

Ensure compliance with hotel operator standards and statutory regulations.

Construction & Delivery
Lead execution teams to ensure projects meet defined milestones.
Monitor contractor performance, construction quality, and adherence to project schedules.
Ensure seamless coordination between consultants, contractors, project management consultants (PMCs), and internal teams.

Oversee successful testing, commissioning, snag closure, and project handover.

Financial & Commercial Management
Own the overall CAPEX budget for all hospitality projects.
Ensure effective financial planning, cost control, and cash flow management throughout project execution.
Approve project budgets, commercial proposals, and major procurement decisions.

Drive cost optimization and value engineering initiatives while maintaining premium hospitality standards.

Procurement & Contract Management
Provide strategic direction for procurement and sourcing of major construction packages, MEP systems, FF&E;, and OS&E.;
Oversee contract negotiations, consultant appointments, and vendor selection.

Ensure commercial governance and effective management of project contracts, claims, and change orders.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

Establish robust project governance and risk management frameworks.

Ensure compliance with: National Building Code (NBC)

Fire & Life Safety Regulations
Environmental & Sustainability Standards
Local Development Authorities
Hotel Brand Standards
Corporate Governance Policies

Mitigate project risks related to cost,



quality, schedule, safety, and statutory approvals.

Stakeholder Management

Act as the primary point of contact for senior leadership on all project matters.

Build solid relationships with: Hotel Operators & Brand Representatives

Architects & Design Consultants
PMCs
Contractors
Government Authorities
Investors
Financial Institutions
Internal Business Leaders

Present project progress, risks, and strategic recommendations to the Board and Executive Leadership Team.

Leadership & Organization Development
Lead and mentor the entire Projects organization across India.
Build a high-performance project management culture focused on accountability, quality, and timely execution.
Drive succession planning and leadership development within the Projects function.

Establish standardized processes, SOPs, governance frameworks, and performance metrics across all projects.

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (B.E./B. Tech) –

Mandatory
Master's Degree in Construction Management, Project Management, or MBA (Preferred)

PMP, RICS, LEED, IGBC, or equivalent certifications will be an added advantage.

Experience
20–30 years of progressive experience in Luxury Hotels/ Hospitality project development and construction.
Minimum 10+ years in a senior corporate leadership role heading large Projects functions.

Proven track record of delivering

hospitality and mixed-use projects valued between ₹500 crore and ₹1,000 crore .

Demonstrated experience in leading

multi-site, multi-location projects

across India.
Experience managing complete project lifecycles from planning to operational handover.

Strong exposure to luxury hotels, integrated developments, airports, commercial, or mixed-use projects.

Technical Expertise
Hospitality Project Development
Large-Scale Construction Management
Multi-Site Project Leadership
Master Planning
Civil & Structural Engineering
MEP Coordination
Design Management
Project Controls & Planning
Contract Administration
Procurement Strategy
CAPEX Planning & Cost Control
Value Engineering
Quality & Safety Management
Risk Management
Hotel Pre-opening & Commissioning

Primavera P6, MS Project, SAP/Oracle ERP

📌 Chief Development Officer (Mumbai)
🏢 Holland Advisors
📍 Mumbai