As the Director of Development, you will lead Legacy Hotels Holding’s expansion strategy across the Russian market. The role is responsible for identifying, structuring, negotiating, and executing hotel development opportunities including management agreements, franchise agreements, and strategic partnerships.

This position combines market intelligence, financial feasibility, deal structuring, and relationship management with owners, investors, and developers.

The role is based in Russia and requires strong local market knowledge and an established professional network.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Identify and secure new hotel development opportunities across key Russian cities and resort destinations

• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline aligned with Legacy’s brand strategy

• Conduct market research and site evaluations to assess commercial viability

• Lead negotiations for management and franchise agreements

• Structure commercial terms aligned with group return targets

• Coordinate with legal and finance teams to finalize contracts

• Oversee feasibility studies, business plans, and financial models

• Assess project ROI, IRR, and risk exposure

• Validate development assumptions including demand generators, ADR positioning, and capex requirements

• Build and maintain relationships with developers, investors, landowners, and financial institutions

• Represent Legacy in high-level negotiations and industry forums

• Act as primary point of contact for development partners during deal lifecycle

• Coordinate with Operations, Technical Services, Brand, and Finance teams to ensure development feasibility

• Support transition from signed deal to pre-opening phase

• Ensure signed projects align with operational capabilities and brand positioning

Cadidate Requirements:

• Native or fluent Russian speaker with strong professional English

• Based in Russia with deep understanding of the local hospitality and real estate landscape

• 8+ years of relevant hotel development or real estate expansion experience, with a proven track record of independently originating and closing hotel deals in the Russian market.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully negotiating and signing hotel management and/or franchise agreements in Russia

• Strong network of owners, developers, investors, and financial institutions within the Russian market

• Solid financial acumen with the ability to interpret feasibility studies, proformas, and return metrics (IRR, NPV, ROI)

• Experience working with international hotel brands preferred

• Strong negotiation and commercial structuring capability

• High professional maturity and ability to operate within a cross-border corporate governance structure

• Willingness to travel within Russia as required