Marrakech. A new luxury lifestyle hotel. A brand with international ambitions. And a blank page for the commercial leader who writes its first chapter.
I am Richard Kingue Kouta, founder of Arvantis Executive Search, and I have been retained to find a Director of Sales & Marketing for one of the most exciting lifestyle hospitality openings in North Africa.
This is not a traditional single-property DOSM role. You will position and launch the Marrakech hotel, then grow into a broader strategic role shaping the commercial direction of the brand across its existing and future properties. If you have ever wanted to build a brand rather than inherit one, read on.
THE PROJECT
- A new ultra-lifestyle hospitality brand, born in Morocco and built for the world. Marrakech is the flagship, opening spring 2027.
- Designed by one of Europe's most sought-after hospitality designers: edgy, timeless, and Moroccan in spirit rather than in décor.
- Food, entertainment and culture at its heart: a New York-inspired grand brasserie, a rooftop with an infinity pool and a lively evening scene, and a performance and recovery club.
- A real growth pipeline: further openings across Morocco are already in development, with international projects under discussion.
- Backed by an ownership group with a long track record in luxury hospitality, investing in excellence for the long term.
Full project details are shared under NDA with shortlisted candidates.
WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT
- A true pre-opening. Positioning, pricing, distribution and go-to-market are yours to define from day one.
- A seat at the table. You will work directly with ownership and senior leadership as their strategic commercial partner.
- A brand, not just a hotel. You will contribute to the identity, storytelling and international development of a growing lifestyle portfolio.
- A destination that sells itself, if you know how to tell the story. Marrakech is one of the most magnetic luxury leisure markets in the world.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Lead the full commercial strategy and pre-opening of the Marrakech property.
- Define positioning, pricing, distribution and the go-to-market plan.
- Build awareness across key luxury and lifestyle leisure feeder markets.
- Open doors with luxury travel agencies, consortia, DMCs, tour operators and international partners.
- Oversee Sales, Marketing, PR, Digital and Revenue strategy alongside the relevant teams.
- Shape the overall brand strategy, identity and international positioning.
- Support the commercial positioning of other properties and future openings, and build group-level partnerships and synergies across the portfolio.
WHO I AM LOOKING FOR
I am looking for a commercially sharp, entrepreneurial brand builder. Specifically:
- 8+ years in hospitality Sales & Marketing, including at least 3 years at Director level (DOSM, Commercial Director or Cluster / Brand commercial lead) within luxury, lifestyle or high-end hospitality.
- Proven pre-opening, repositioning or new-brand launch experience. You have taken a property or concept from zero to market and can show the results.
- Deep knowledge of international luxury leisure distribution: consortia such as Virtuoso, Serandipians and Signature, luxury agencies, DMCs and tour operators.
- A strong personal network across key feeder markets such as the UK, France, wider Europe, the Gulf and the US.
- A genuine feel for lifestyle hospitality: brand, storytelling, content, PR, partnerships and guest experience.
- Equally comfortable in a boardroom strategy session and rolling up your sleeves during an opening.
- Fluent English and professional working French. Experience in Morocco or the wider MENA region is a plus, but not essential.
- Open to relocating to Marrakech.
BACKGROUNDS THAT WILL RESONATE
You may come from a leading luxury or lifestyle hotel group, a design-led brand or an ambitious independent operator. The name on your CV matters less than what you built there. I am looking for real commercial results, an instinct for brand building, and the appetite to step into a wider strategic role as the portfolio grows.
THE PACKAGE
A competitive executive salary with performance bonus, plus a full expatriate package.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply directly here on LinkedIn. Every application is treated in the strictest confidence and I personally review each one. If you know someone who would be perfect for this, please share this post or tag them in the comments.
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