Director of Front Office at a Luxury Landmark Hotel

Sonesta International Hotels is a leading hospitality company, recognized as the 8th largest hotel company in the United States and continually expanding. Sonesta operates a diverse portfolio of over 1000 properties across eight countries, blending full-service and focused service hotels in major cities. The company is known for delivering exceptional guest experiences through service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and creating meaningful connections in hospitality. Its culture emphasizes quality, value, and remarkable hospitality that resonates with every guest during their stay. Sonesta’s properties, whether owned, managed, or franchised, reflect the brand’s commitment to providing a wide range of hospitality services that meet different market needs and preferences.

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco is one of Sonesta’s premier luxury lifestyle hotels located in the vibrant heart of Union Square. It is celebrated for its unique design, lively atmosphere, and outstanding service, offering a hospitality experience that combines historical charm with contemporary elegance. This iconic hotel is looking to hire a Director of Front Office to lead and elevate front office operations, enhance guest satisfaction, and ensure smooth operational performance. This role is full-time and offers an annual salary range between $100,000 and $110,000, with eligibility for bonuses.

As Director of Front Office, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading all front office functions including the Front Desk, Bell Services, Concierge, Guest Services, PBX, and Night Audit teams. This leadership position requires a highly skilled individual with deep expertise in luxury hotel operations and a passion for creating memorable guest experiences. The Director will play a crucial role in driving operational efficiency, maximizing revenue through effective room inventory and upselling strategies, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among staff.

The role demands a proactive, hands-on hospitality leader who can effectively recruit, train, and motivate their team while collaborating with other hotel departments such as Housekeeping, Engineering, Food & Beverage, Sales, and Revenue Management to deliver seamless guest service. They must have a powerful customer-focus mindset and the ability to monitor and improve guest feedback and service recovery. The Director is also responsible for maintaining compliance with industry standards like Forbes and AAA, managing labor costs, payroll, and ensuring that all operations adhere to company policies and legal regulations. Additionally, this leader will support hotel operations as Manager-on-Duty when required, maintaining high standards of quality and guest satisfaction at all times.

Ideal candidates will have at least five years of progressive leadership experience in front office operations within a luxury or full-service hotel setting. Familiarity with managing both union and non-union teams, financial acumen including budgeting and forecasting, and proficiency in property management systems such as Opera Cloud are essential. Strong communication, problem-solving skills, and flexibility to work varied schedules including evenings and weekends are important qualifiers. A bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.

Working at Sonesta comes with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off and holidays, employee hotel discounts, educational assistance, paid parental leave, and various insurance coverages. Sonesta is committed to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging all qualified candidates to apply. This outstanding opportunity at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco offers a rewarding career path in an iconic luxury hospitality environment where team engagement and guest excellence are paramount.