Director of Operations

As a Director of Operations, you are the face of The Kontiki and you play a key role in creating an unforgettable experience. You will act as the key link between the Owner/CEO of The Kontiki and all operational teams, shaping standards, elevating performance and helping define the future of one of Curaçao’s most distinctive lifestyle hospitality brands.

This is a rare opportunity for an entrepreneurial Hospitality leader who wants to create real impact, rather than operate within rigid corporate frameworks.

Are you ready to set the standard for luxury hospitality? Then we want you on our team!

Where will you be working?

As a Director of Operations, you will be working at The Kontiki. An organization in which everyone contributes with their unique characteristic but together as a team to exceed the expectations of our guests. As The Kontiki we have an important vision, namely: We believe in one-of-a-kind resorts worth exploring. We pursue this vision by applying our mission in our daily work and interaction with the guests; by creating easy, vibrant and excellent experiences.

In the role of Director of operations, you are directly accountable to the Managing Director.

What will you do?

As the Director of operations, you are responsible for:

Provide strategic leadership over all business operations within The Kontiki Resort & Beach Clubs.
Develop, write, implement, and monitor a comprehensive operational plan for the entire resort in close collaboration with the management team.
Ensure consistently high-quality standards and service levels across all departments, including Rooms Division, Housekeeping, Front Office, Maintenance, Security, Spa, Recreation, and Food & Beverage outlets.
Lead, motivate, coach, and evaluate department managers through on-the-job coaching, performance reviews, and appraisal meetings, fostering a harmonious work environment that drives productivity and team morale.
Proactively propose improvements to resort products, guest services, and operational efficiency.
Encourage, support, and further develop ideas and initiatives proposed by department heads and team members.
Ensure a professional and representative condition of all resort facilities, including guest rooms, public areas, restaurants, beach areas, back-of-house spaces, landscaping, and technical installations.
Ensure compliance with all labor, hygiene, health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
Take responsibility for overall financial performance, including revenue growth, cost control, budgeting, and profitability across all departments.
Ensure the availability and proper maintenance of resources, equipment, and infrastructure, arranging maintenance or capital replacements in coordination with the General Manager.
Monitor performance, progress, and quality standards across all operational departments.
Identify structural and operational challenges (including employee feedback) and implement effective, long-term solutions.
Continuously evaluate and improve work processes, procedures, and interdepartmental workflows to increase efficiency and guest satisfaction.
Approve and manage leave requests for department managers and ensure adequate staffing levels throughout the resort.
Oversee overall guest experience, including service standards, response times, and guest satisfaction metrics.
Ensure open, clear, and effective communication between all departments through structured meetings, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.
Collaborate with Sales & Marketing on positioning, branding, and market opportunities to strengthen the resort concept.
Develop and maintain relationships with external authorities, partners, suppliers, and stakeholders, conducting regular consultations as required.
Identify and develop strategic opportunities to enhance the resort concept, guest offerings, and overall competitive positioning in the market.

What do you bring?

We are looking for a driven professional who works guest-oriented and always strives to exceed the expectations of our guests. You are innovative-oriented, bring fresh ideas and are constantly looking for ways to improve our services. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you will proactively take on opportunities and work independently, while always being performance-oriented and striving for excellent results.

Key Capabilities

Leadership

Assigns responsibilities based on team members’ strengths and development needs across all resort departments.
Communicates clearly and effectively to ensure alignment between departments.
Expresses ideas confidently and supports decisions with facts and data.

Task & Result Oriented

Provides clear direction, expectations, and constructive feedback to department heads and teams.
Monitors operational performance and intervenes when necessary to ensure objectives are achieved.

Solution-Oriented

Focuses on practical, long-term solutions that benefit the overall resort operation.
Acts decisively and pragmatically in operational and strategic matters.

Guest-Focused

Demonstrates professional, courteous, and service-oriented behavior.
Continuously seeks opportunities to enhance the overall guest journey and satisfaction across all touchpoints within the resort.

Coaching & Team Development

Motivates and coaches department managers and teams, leading by example.
Creates a culture of trust, accountability, and professional growth in line with The Kontiki Resort standards.

Quality & Performance Driven

Ensures consistent quality standards across all resort facilities and services.
Takes corrective actions when needed and drives continuous performance improvement.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Understands guest expectations, market developments, and competitive positioning.
Makes well-informed business decisions based on financial insight, cost control, and long-term value creation.

You also bring:

Oversee and coordinate all operational activities across the entire resort, ensuring alignment between departments.
Lead, support, coach, and motivate department heads to achieve operational excellence.
Maintain a visible presence during peak periods, high-occupancy days, major events, and public holidays.
Assume full operational responsibility for the resort in the absence of the General Manager.
Monitor and continuously improve operational quality, guest arrival experience, service delivery, and complaint handling procedures.
Review departmental staffing plans and ensure adequate workforce levels, aligned with service standards and budgeted labor costs.
Coordinate cross-departmental activities to ensure seamless collaboration and operational efficiency.
Conduct performance and appraisal meetings with department managers according to established HR procedures.
Proactively propose strategic and operational improvements to senior management to enhance service quality, efficiency, and profitability.
Identify improvement and change opportunities, present structured proposals to senior management, and lead implementation after approval.
Participate in management-level recruitment processes, including final-round interviews for key operational roles.
Ensure full compliance with all operational policies and procedures, including financial controls, HR processes, safety standards, reporting structures, and internal guidelines.
Anticipate and accommodate special guest needs or VIP arrangements in coordination with relevant departments.
Oversee onboarding processes and collaborate with HR and department heads to ensure structured induction and integration of new employees.
Develop and implement resort-wide training and development programs.
Support department heads in executing operational concepts and service standards consistently across the resort.
Work closely with senior management to continuously elevate service levels, brand positioning, and guest satisfaction.
Ensure effective communication of newly approved initiatives or operational changes to all relevant departments.
Safeguard clear and structured internal communication lines within The Kontiki Resort.

Why work at The Kontiki?

You will be working at one of Curaçao’s most iconic beach resorts
You will become part of a fun and energetic team
A competitive salary and attractive working conditions
Opportunities to grow and develop your Director in Operations career

Interest?

Send your CV and cover letter to jobs@thekontiki.com and who knows, you might become our new colleague!