About Hotel Calipo
Located in Vila Viçosa, in the heart of the Alentejo, Hôtel Calipo is a unique destination combining boutique hospitality with an artist residency and an agrotourism offering. The property currently features 26 guest rooms (will increase to 52 by summer 2026), a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and hammam facilities, two padel courts, dedicated art spaces, and agricultural activities, providing guests with an immersive experience centred on nature, wellbeing, and creativity.
Essential Functions
* Act as the operational business leader for the hotel, accountable for all aspects of the operation, including guest and employee engagement, financial performance, sales and revenue generation, staff development and retention, and the deployment of ESG initiatives.
* Foster an entrepreneurial and highly commercial culture at all levels, building a cohesive team focused on delivering strong returns to ownership while staying true to Calipo's artistic and agrotourism identity.
* Develop and continually refine a distinctive product that integrates art programming and farm-to-table principles with boutique service standards, anticipating the needs of current and future guests.
* Lead the creation of meaningful, achievable hotel budgets and other short- and long-term strategic goals; oversee rigorous performance management against plan.
* Oversee hiring, training, and, where necessary, disciplinary processes; ensure a safe and compliant environment for guests and employees at all times.
Education & Experience
* Degree from a hotel school (hospitality management focus) preferred
* Strong knowledge of the lodging/hospitality sector and ROI principles; experience in boutique or concept-led properties (arts, wellness, agritourism) is an advantage.
* A minimum of two years' experience in a hotel or hospitality management company is preferred; however, candidates with business management experience in other sectors, who demonstrate strong alignment with the concept's philosophy, will also be considered.
Skills & Competencies
* Confident, hands-on leader able to perform under pressure; excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
* Strong commercial acumen with experience in budgeting, revenue proposals, and forecasting.
* Creative, collaborative, and guest-centric; able to win business through compelling proposals, special events, site inspections, and partnerships.
* In-depth knowledge of hotel/leisure/service operations; proficiency with PMS and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and hospitality systems.
* Languages: Portuguese and English required; additional European languages (e.g., Spanish/French) are an advantage.
* Team-oriented, dynamic, innovative, resilient, and accountable.