Head of Hospitality

Role Overview The Director of Hospitality & Experience will shape and deliver the Saudi Open’s hospitality and guest experience vision, setting the standard for premium service at the tournament. Reporting to the commercial leadership, the role owns the full VIP, stakeholder and hospitality offering, ensuring every guest enjoys a seamless, memorable and distinctly Saudi experience that rivals the world’s leading sporting events. Key Responsibilities Strategy & Leadership • Develop and lead the tournament’s hospitality, VIP and guest experience strategy in line with commercial and brand objectives. • Define a distinctive Saudi Open experience that blends world-class service with authentic Saudi culture and hospitality. • Benchmark against leading global sporting events and premier international tennis tournaments to drive continuous improvement and innovation. • Build, lead and develop a high-performing hospitality team, including managing external agencies and suppliers. Hospitality Products & Premium Spaces • Oversee the design, development and delivery of hospitality packages, VIP areas, lounges and premium guest services. • Shape the hospitality product portfolio and pricing in partnership with the commercial team to maximize revenue and guest satisfaction. • Ensure all premium spaces meet the highest standards of design, comfort, food and beverage, and service. VIP & Stakeholder Journey • Manage the end-to-end VIP and stakeholder journey, from invitation and accreditation through arrival, on-site experience and departure. • Deliver tailored programs for dignitaries, government officials, partners, sponsors, players’ guests and high-profile individuals. • Ensure protocol, security and confidentiality requirements are fully met for all VIP guests. Cross-Functional Coordination • Work closely with catering, venue, ticketing, partnerships, operations, security and marketing teams to ensure consistent service standards and seamless delivery. • Support partnerships and sponsorship teams in delivering contracted hospitality rights and activations. • Lead hospitality planning, readiness and on-site operations during the tournament. Performance & Budget • Own and manage the hospitality and guest experience budget, ensuring cost efficiency and value delivery. • Set KPIs, gather guest feedback and produce post-event reports with clear recommendations for future editions. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Event Management or a related field. • 8+ years of experience in premium hospitality, VIP services or guest experience, ideally within major sporting events, luxury hospitality or large-scale international events. • Proven track record in delivering hospitality programs for high-profile guests and stakeholders. • Strong understanding of VIP protocol and working with government and senior stakeholders. • Experience managing budgets, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams. • Fluency in English; Arabic is highly preferred. Show more Show less