…for Mixed-Use, Branded Residences & Lifestyle Concepts
The Rise of Hybrid Hospitality: A Global Reality
Branded residences have skyrocketed – global growth of 180% over the past decade, with 240 new projects launched in 2024 alone, according to the Savills 2024/25 Branded Residences Report. Regionally, the Middle East & Africa are leading with an expected 270% growth through 2031. This underscores a seismic shift: Hospitality is no longer siloed – it’s interwoven with Real Estate, residences, retail, co‑working, and lifestyle.
For Senior Executives in Hospitality and Operational Real Estate, this signals a fundamental shift. Pure-play Hospitality Experience is no longer enough. Leading these integrated ecosystems demands a multifaceted skill set, cross-sector fluency, and the strategic foresight to manage assets that are as complex as they are customer-centric.
Cities like Dubai, Bangkok, and Barcelona are emerging as flagship destinations for these hybrid developments. The challenge? Finding the right leaders who can make them thrive.
Why Traditional Leadership Profiles Fall Short
The playbook has changed. A General Manager overseeing a Branded Residence with hotel amenities, retail, co-working, and residential components must master far more than guest experience. They must:
- Navigate both asset-light and asset-heavy ownership structures
- Deliver ESG-compliant operations
- Implement digital-first service strategies
- Build communities, not just manage buildings
Leadership in hybrid environments requires a balance of analytical precision, human connection, and an ability to think beyond four walls.
The implication for Executive Search? You’re not just hiring a hotelier. You’re appointing a strategist, a storyteller, and often, a placemaker.
The Role Requirements: Branded Residences & Lifestyle Concepts
The most successful leaders in today’s hybrid Hospitality environments are defined by their range. At LHC International, we see top-tier candidates blending backgrounds in:
- Operational Real Estate
- Hospitality
- Customer Experience Design
- Sustainability & ESG Compliance
Their value lies in their ability to connect these domains.
Global Talent, Regional Needs
Understanding regional dynamics is essential for targeting the right leadership talent. Increasingly, high-performing leaders come from a variety of global markets:
- Middle East: Mega-projects like NEOM and Diriyah are redefining urban life. These are not just Hospitality plays—they’re blueprints for mixed-use living. Executive roles demand large-scale project experience and geopolitical sensitivity.
- Southeast Asia: Rapid urbanization in hubs like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur is driving demand for Branded Residences with hotel-style service. Leaders must combine agility with market insight.
- Southern Europe: From Mallorca to the Algarve, lifestyle-led developments targeting second-home buyers are booming. Executives here must manage seasonal flows, multi-owner assets, and ultra-local customer expectations.
- Central Europe: ESG is the new baseline. Investors seek leaders who can align design, operations, and compliance across green-certified assets in cities like Berlin, Vienna, or Zurich.
What This Means for Executive Search
In this landscape, your Executive Search Partner must be more than a recruiter. They must:
- Understand the nuances of each region and concept
- Navigate talent markets across sectors and cultures
- Source leaders with cross-sector agility and ESG literacy
- Identify not only capable, but contextually relevant leaders
At LHC International, we partner with investors, developers, and operators across the globe. Whether it’s sourcing a GM for a lifestyle residence in Riyadh or a Development Director for a Barcelona-based hybrid concept, our approach is rooted in strategic alignment.
We don’t just fill roles. We future-proof leadership.
Conclusion: Hybrid is Here to Stay
Hybrid developments are transforming how we live, work, and experience Hospitality. For Senior Executives, this means embracing new leadership paradigms. And for Executive Search, it means evolving beyond old models.
As your Executive Search Partner, LHC International combines sector expertise with strategic foresight.
