Director, Restaurant & Bars Partnerships - Asia Pacific

Operating at the intersection of Development, Brand and Operations, this role is responsible for sourcing, structuring and executing strategic restaurant and bar partnerships across Hilton’s Asia Pacific (APAC) portfolio and pipeline. The Director of Restaurant & Bar Partnerships will secure high-impact collaborations with leading restaurant groups, brands and chefs to enhance guest experience, strengthen brand positioning and drive owner returns.

This is a newly created, entrepreneurial role requiring a commercially driven leader with strong industry credibility, deep networks and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy across a complex, multi-market environment. The position plays a critical role in supporting Hilton’s growth ambitions by enabling compelling F&B propositions that drive deal competitiveness, enhance asset value and elevate brand differentiation across the region. 

This role will sit within APAC Brand team and report directly into Vice President, F&B Brand Operations - APAC. The APAC Brand function is responsible for ensuring that Hilton’s global brands are an attractive investment value proposition for owners and that they deliver experiences which attract, excite, and inspire guests in the APAC region.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Your role is important, and below are some of the fundamental job duties that make your work unique.

1. Strategy & Pipeline Development

• Develop and execute the APAC Restaurant & Bars Partnership strategy aligned with global and regional growth priorities 
• Identify opportunities across existing hotels and pipeline assets to introduce branded, leased or partner-led F&B concepts
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of partnership opportunities across key gateway cities and high-growth markets

2. Sourcing & Partnerships

• Source leading restaurant groups, brands, chefs and investors for existing properties and new hotel developments, including franchise, lease and chef-led models
• Maintain deep market insight into restaurant, consumer and operator trends across benchmark cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Dubai and London

3. Deal Structuring & Execution

• Lead commercial negotiations and structure partnership models, including leases, operating agreements, franchise arrangements and chef-led partnerships
• Drive transactions from origination through to execution in collaboration with Development, Legal, Operations and Finance
• Navigate complex deal structures and proactively resolve issues to ensure timely and efficient execution

4. Commercial & Financial Performance

• Partner with Finance and Feasibility teams to evaluate ROI, P&L contribution and value creation of partnership models
• Ensure partnerships deliver strong commercial outcomes aligned with owner expectations and brand positioning 
• Support risk mitigation, including exit strategies where required

 5. Stakeholder Management

• Serve as Hilton’s primary interface with external restaurant and bar partners across the region
• Collaborate with Development, Brand and Operations to review, select and implement restaurant and bar partners across markets, brands and locations

6. Governance & Tracking

• Track and manage all restaurant and bar partnership projects across APAC
• Maintain oversight of contractual agreements and partner performance
• Ensure consistent reporting and communication across internal stakeholders

Success Measures

• Number and quality of strategic F&B partnerships signed annually
• Incremental revenue and profitability contribution to owners and Hilton
• Adoption of partnership models across pipeline and existing portfolio
• Speed and efficiency of deal sourcing and execution
• Strength and depth of external partner network
• Guest satisfaction and repeat partnership engagement

WHY YOU’LL BE A GREAT FIT

You have these minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• 10+ years of experience in hospitality, preferably within hotels, including at least 5 years in restaurant franchising, leasing or partnership structures

• Proven track record of sourcing and executing commercial deals with restaurant groups, brands, chefs and operators

• Experience structuring lease, franchise, operating and chef-led agreements

• Strong regional exposure and relevant experience across APAC

• Strong commercial acumen with a sound understanding of F&B and real estate economics

• Advanced negotiation skills with the ability to structure complex, high-value transactions

• Highly credible externally, with established industry relationships

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market trends into scalable opportunities

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across senior levels

• Self-starter with the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, multi-market environment

• Willingness to travel across APAC (~50%)

It would be useful if you have:

• Proficiency in Asian language to support APAC region