Director of Experience
Denver, CO 
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Posted 2 days ago
Job Description
Position: Director of Experience
Location: Denver, CO
Job Id: 107
# of Openings: 0
DIRECTOR OF EXPERIENCE
Reports to: General Manager, position is exempt
Accepting Applications until May 31st, 2024 or until filled.
WHO WE ARE
Hotels Done Differently. It's not just a slogan, but a guiding principle woven into every aspect of our operations. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character; ensuring our properties are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated, and our hotels, restaurants and bars serve as a tribute to the neighborhoods in which we operate. This ethos elevates our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve.
Established in 2011, Aparium was born with an intense focus on unearthing the extraordinary moments that define every city. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. Renowned for its sophisticated approach, Aparium seamlessly blends the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, lively markets.
ABOUT THE HOTEL - POPULUS
Populus is the first carbon positive hotel in the United States. Authentically rooted in nature, the hotel will feature 265 modern guest rooms, a ground floor restaurant, flexible event spaces, a coffee bar, a signature rooftop bar and restaurant offering unobstructed views of the mountains, city skyline, Civic Center Park, and an iconic Aspen tree-inspired design by AD100 architecture firm, Studio Gang. Populus will open in Denver in Summer 2024 and will serve as a skyline-defining architectural landmark and milestone for sustainable travel.
WHO YOU ARE
The candidate's background is robust, unique and may have had experiences as a marketing manager, public relations account leader, designer, event planner, set designer, musician, curator or entrepreneur - they have sought a variety of life experiences. Excited by a blank page and the smell of fresh rain, the individual thinks creatively and acts instinctively. This individual Investigates their own practice of hospitality by constantly improving, refining and collaborating with others. This individual takes pride in their curiosity, runs away from the obvious, and is stimulated by the never-before-seen. They've learned to trust in their experiences, knows by utilizing their senses when something is "just perfect" or "not quite right." At their core this individual is a storyteller, an avid learner and active listener, is never satisfied with the status quo and is always thinking about ways to improve.
THE ROLE
The Director of Experience embodies the essence of Aparium and Populus, discerning unique opportunities that foster connectivity. Balancing a profound regard for both associate and guest experiences, this role assumes the mantle of cultural steward, guiding, leading, and educating on our Carbon Positive promise, reverence for nature, and commitment to community. Infusing every interaction with service excellence, the Director of Experience exemplifies a relentless pursuit of improvement and an unwavering enthusiasm for exceeding expectations daily. Responsibilities include the cultivation of partnerships, training and education, event execution, and experiential marketing initiatives, all aimed at enhancing the properties' local relevance while embracing Aparium's translocal hospitality ethos. This role advocates for excellence in service and culture, collaborating closely with our People & Culture department to devise and implement training programs and activations that ignite inspiration among our associates.
Additionally, this role actively nurtures trusting and transparent relationships with collaborators, associates, and partners, embodying the ethos of Aparium Hotel Group. As a leader within the organization, this position collaborates within a remarkable peer group, where collaboration, humility, experience, and open-mindedness are valued above all else - egos need not apply.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
INTERNAL STORYTELLING AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Craft compelling narratives that vividly convey the essence of the Populus story to internal teams and our guests.
  • Serve as the primary advocate for our environmental stewardship efforts, promoting waste reduction, minimizing ecological footprints, and advocating for ethically-driven decisions to support planetary well-being.
  • Seamlessly guide guests through the sustainable design and construction aspects of the hotel, integrating these elements with initiatives like 'One Night = One Tree' and emphasizing our commitment to holistic carbon positivity in hospitality.
  • Innovate upon our existing carbon-positive hospitality approach by forging local, regional, and national partnerships that further cultivate an environmentally conscious ethos.
  • Collaborate closely with Aparium HQ and Populus partners to refine messaging related to architecture, interior design, art partnerships, and our carbon-positive endeavors. Ensure all branded materials align with our environmental standards.
  • Partner with the People and Culture team to execute service and culture training, fostering continual education among associates and leaders across all departments.
  • Work in tandem with Food & Beverage to uphold service excellence, ensuring alignment with brand narratives and values during onboarding and beyond.
EXTERNAL STORYTELLING AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Lead efforts to leverage local Public Relations resources for amplifying national stories and grassroots partnerships, disseminating these messages through social media, team onboarding, and executive meetings.
  • Organize hosted influencer stays and familiarization trips, serving as the primary contact for coordination.
  • Direct on-property photo and video shoots, collaborating with preferred creatives to actualize our partners' vision and maintaining a well-organized repository of visual assets.
  • Oversee day-to-day social media operations, including content scheduling, photo shoots, reels, and influencer engagements. Ensure alignment with our content calendar and brand guidelines.
  • Collaborate with Marketing on newsletters, website updates, guest communications, campaigns, and on-property collateral, ensuring consistency in messaging and branding.
  • Maintain up-to-date and on-brand messaging across internal channels such as Sonify, Alice, and our mobile app.
INTUITIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
  • Lead the Experience program, fostering positive team dynamics throughout the hotel.
  • Harness the transformative power of design and music to enhance guest experiences, drawing upon expertise in interior or theatrical design and musical fluency to curate memorable experiences.
  • Assume the role of Maitre d', overseeing associate interactions with guests, identifying VIPs, and coordinating personalized welcome amenities.
  • Facilitate daily communication via Slack to keep all associates informed and engaged.
  • Collaborate with various departments to schedule and conduct ongoing associate trainings in alignment with our brand story.
  • Cultivate a keen sense of observation to uncover hidden nuances and local treasures, envisioning how they can enrich our guests' experiences.
PARTNERSHIPS, PROGRAMMING, AND ACTIVATIONS
  • Forge strategic alliances that resonate with Aparium's ethos, seeking partnerships that enhance our brand without diluting it.
  • Lead efforts to communicate and champion on-property events planning calendars, ensuring each hotel happening embodies local relevance while maintaining brand consistency.
  • Embrace diverse perspectives to identify and implement innovative programming that aligns with our guests' preferences and emerging trends.
SOUND FINANCIAL PLANNER
  • Recognize the pivotal role of sound financial planning in maximizing hotel profitability.
  • Develop annual budgets for Experience to include programming & activations - ensuring expenses are in alignment with Aparium's overall budget directives.
  • Utilize insights into consumer experiences and buying habits to innovate revenue-generating retail products and point-of-sale strategies.
  • Collaborate closely with the General Manager and team to secure funding for programs and partnerships, ensuring a tangible return on investment and identifying potential risks.
  • Participate actively in weekly team meetings to track progress, brainstorm new ideas, and address obstacles to success.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
  • A minimum of five (5) years of experience in roles associated with lifestyle or experience creation, such as interior design, set design, event planning, public relations, partnerships, curation, brand ambassadorship, or hospitality.
  • Proficiency in the English language encompassing reading, writing, and verbal communication.
  • Proficiency in software including Excel, Word, Outlook, Google Docs, and PowerPoint.
  • Adaptable interpersonal skills to effectively represent Aparium and its hotels to various local stakeholders, influencers, artisans, musicians, and business executives.
  • A confident demeanor, self-awareness, and a defined perspective.
HOW YOU WILL LEAD
  • Foster open collaboration with all hotel departments, including Sales, Banquets & Catering, Guest Services, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, and Culinary, to ensure an exceptional guest experience. Be open to constructive debate before making decisions affecting property-wide operations, avoiding working in isolation.
  • Maintain a respectful approach in daily interactions with direct managers, direct reports, and peers, embodying the highest standards of professionalism and serving as a community leader.
  • Employ a highly analytical mindset and recommendations, without assuming superiority, and continuously seek factual accuracy. Express viewpoints without ego-driven motivations.
  • Utilize conversational skills to swiftly build rapport, adapting communication and presentation styles to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders effectively.
  • Approach fact-finding and discovery collaboratively, valuing others' insights and experiences to gain deeper understanding and address underlying issues obstructing implementation.
  • Comfortably navigate between strategic oversight and hands-on involvement, adept at identifying strategic needs and ensuring strategic plans are executed efficiently.
  • Demonstrate strong prioritization and organizational skills, willing to work flexible or extended hours as needed to accommodate workload fluctuations, particularly during hotel openings and unforeseen demands.
Salary: $75,000 - $85,000
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment and sense of belonging. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.

Pay Range: $75,000 - $85,000 per hour
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Job Summary
Start Date
As soon as possible
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Required Education
Associate Degree
Required Experience
5 years
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