General Manager - Academy (Hospitality)

Our client is one of the leaders in the hospitality industry. They would like to engage a General Manager to lead the creation, launch, and long-term growth of their Academy, establishing the group's dedicated learning, development, and assessment business from the ground up.

The Role

• The position reports to the Chief Corporate Development Officer and requires regular travel across Group properties and international locations.
• A core focus is developing long term strategies, business plans, and governance models to position the Academy as a recognized center of excellence in the hospitality industry.
• The role oversees the design and delivery of structured learning pathways, competency frameworks, and leadership development programs aligned with the Group’s service culture and operational standards.
• The General Manager is responsible for securing national and international accreditations for the Academy’s programs while maintaining high quality assurance standards.
• A primary objective is driving commercial sustainability by offering training, consultancy, coaching, and certification services to external clients and franchise partners.
• The General Manager will spearhead digital learning initiatives, including the implementation and management of the academy's learning system and digital resource library.
• The General Manager will recruit, develop, and lead the internal Academy team alongside external trainers, consultants, and subject matter experts.
• The role involves managing financial budgets, key performance indicators, and pricing structures to turn the Academy into a profitable business unit.
• Act as an entrepreneurial partner, fostering strategic relationships with universities, accreditation bodies, and internal stakeholders to drive ongoing business growth.

Requirements

• Candidates must preferably hold a degree in Hospitality Management, Learning & Development, Human Resources, Business Management, Education, or a related discipline.
• The role requires significant progressive L&D leadership experience within the hospitality industry, ideally within an international hotel group or luxury hospitality environment.
• Applicants need proven expertise in designing learning strategies, competency frameworks, career pathways, and LMS/digital learning platforms across multi-property or global operations.
• Strong commercial acumen, financial management skills, and a background in program accreditation, business development, or building a corporate university from scratch are highly advantageous.