General Manager

Additional Information

Job Number

Job CategoryProperty Leadership

LocationThe Ritz Carlton Diriyah, Diriyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia

ScheduleFull Time

Located Remotely?N

Position Type Management

General Manager – The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah

Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Opening 2026

About The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah

Set to open in 2026, The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah will bring the brand's legendary service, crafted luxury, and timeless design to one of Saudi Arabia's most significant cultural destinations. The hotel will feature 195 exquisitely designed guestrooms, including 34 suites, alongside a specialty restaurant, an all‑day dining venue, meeting rooms, an outdoor pool, a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center, a signature Ritz Kids programme, a world‑class spa, and a range of immersive guest experiences.

Diriyah—known as "the Jewel of the Kingdom"—is being transformed into Saudi Arabia's foremost historic and cultural hub. Set across 14 square kilometers, this iconic destination is inspired by Najdi architecture and will offer museums, galleries, luxury retail, dining, residences, and public spaces celebrating the rich heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah will play a defining role in this landmark development, welcoming global travelers seeking authenticity, heritage, and refined luxury.

Position Summary

The General Manager will serve as the strategic and operational leader of The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah, overseeing all aspects of pre‑opening, launch, and ongoing hotel performance. This role requires a visionary luxury hospitality leader who consistently delivers exceptional guest experiences, drives commercial excellence, builds high‑performing teams, and upholds the gold standards of The Ritz‑Carlton brand.

The successful candidate will be an ambassador of luxury, brand culture, and Diriyah's heritage—crafting a hotel experience that is both globally exceptional and deeply rooted in local authenticity.

Candidate Profile

Required Experience

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in luxury hotels, including 5–10 years as a General Manager (non‑negotiable).
• Proven track record managing luxury brands—preferably within The Ritz‑Carlton, Marriott Luxury Brands, or comparable ultra‑luxury operators.
• Middle East experience is required, ideally with pre‑opening exposure.
• Strong commercial and operational background, with demonstrated success in driving revenue, profitability, and guest satisfaction in competitive luxury markets.

Competencies & Attributes

• Exceptional leadership presence and the ability to inspire diverse, multicultural teams.
• Deep understanding of luxury service psychology, guest behavior, and experience design.
• Collaborative and strategic thinker with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Passion for cultural storytelling and local immersion—experience integrating heritage into luxury guest journeys is highly valued.
• High EQ, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex environments with diplomacy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Pre‑Opening

• Lead all pre‑opening activities including project timelines, departmental structure, recruitment, service concepts, SOP development, and financial planning.
• Collaborate closely with ownership, Marriott International, and Diriyah project stakeholders to ensure alignment with brand standards and development milestones.
• Oversee positioning strategies to ensure the hotel launches as a flagship luxury destination in the region.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure flawless execution of all daily operations across Rooms, F&B, Spa, Engineering, Guest Experience, and Support Services.
• Maintain Ritz‑Carlton's legendary service standards through continuous training, coaching, and quality assurance.
• Drive innovation in guest programming, service rituals, and experiential luxury aligned with Diriyah's cultural narrative.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Deliver strong commercial performance with effective revenue management, sales strategy, and market positioning.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and financial planning to achieve long‑term profitability.
• Build strategic partnerships to enhance brand visibility and revenue opportunities.

Talent Leadership & Culture Building

• Attract, inspire, and retain exceptional luxury hospitality talent.
• Champion a culture consistent with The Ritz‑Carlton's "Ladies and Gentlemen" service philosophy.
• Lead with emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to colleague engagement and development.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Represent the property to local government, community partners, cultural institutions, and tourism authorities.
• Foster relationships within the Diriyah development ecosystem to support integrated guest experiences and destination growth.
• Serve as the face of The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah for media, VIP guests, and global partners.

Why Join The Ritz‑Carlton, Diriyah?

• Lead one of the most anticipated luxury hotel openings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Shape a flagship Ritz‑Carlton property positioned at the heart of a globally recognized cultural landmark.
• Work at the intersection of world‑class luxury, historic heritage, and visionary destination development.
• Opportunity to leave a legacy within one of the world's most ambitious tourism and cultural transformation projects.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

At more than 100 award-winning properties worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton Ladies and Gentlemen create experiences so exceptional that long after a guest stays with us, the experience stays with them. Attracting the world's top hospitality professionals who curate lifelong memories, we believe that everyone succeeds when they are empowered to be creative, thoughtful and compassionate.

Every day, we set the standard for rare and special luxury service the world over and pride ourselves on delivering excellence in the care and comfort of our guests.

Your role will be to ensure that the "Gold Standards" of The Ritz-Carlton are delivered graciously and thoughtfully every day. The Gold Standards are the foundation of The Ritz-Carlton and are what guides us each day to be better than the next. It is this foundation and our belief that our culture drives success by which The Ritz Carlton has earned the reputation as a global brand leader in luxury hospitality. As part of our team, you will learn and exemplify the Gold Standards, such as our Employee Promise, Credo and our Service Values. And our promise to you is that we offer the chance to be proud of the work you do and who you work with.

In joining The Ritz-Carlton, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.