Our client is seeking an experienced Destination Director to lead the operation and commercial performance of a flagship,
large-scale waterfront destination in Abuja, Nigeria.
This role is accountable for running the destination as a business, owning guest experience, commercial outcomes, and
the overall operating model from launch. The Destination Director operates as the single point of accountability for
performance, ensuring the destination delivers strong revenue, high-quality experiences, and long-term commercial
viability.
The role works directly with senior leadership and owns end-to-end operational and commercial leadership of the asset.
The ideal candidate brings proven senior operating experience in Nigeria or the wider African region, drawn from premium
hospitality, branded retail, aviation, or large-scale entertainment and events.
This is a senior commercial and operating leadership position, focused on running what has been built, not delivering
construction or development.

The Destination Director owns end-to-end performance across six critical areas:
• Commercial Performance & Revenue
• Guest Experience & Operations
• Leasing, Partnerships & Concessions
• Brand & Destination Positioning
• Programming & Activation
• Stakeholder & Government Engagement

Commercial Leadership & Performance
• Own end-to-end commercial performance of a large-scale, branded destination
• Drive revenue across leasing, sponsorships, partnerships, events, and ancillary income streams

Develop and execute a structured commercial strategy to maximise footfall, spend, and asset utilisation
• Continuously identify and unlock new revenue opportunities across the destination ecosystem

2. Guest Experience & Operations
• Design and oversee end-to-end guest experience and service standards
• Establish operating models, processes, and service delivery frameworks for a high-footfall environment
• Ensure seamless coordination across all operational elements including retail, attractions, events, and public realm
• Maintain consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat visitation
3. Leasing, Partner & Concession Management
• Lead the selection, negotiation, and onboarding of third-party operators, tenants, and concessionaires
• Define clear commercial terms, brand expectations, and service standards
• Monitor operator performance, identify and address performance gaps early where performance or experience is
below standard
• Ensure alignment between partner activities and overall destination objectives
4. Brand Positioning & Destination Strategy
• Own the positioning of the destination as a leading, differentiated consumer offering
• Ensure consistency between brand identity, physical experience, and commercial activity
• Work closely with marketing and communications teams to sustain strong market visibility
• Continuously evolve the destination offer in response to customer insight and market trends
5. Programming & Activation
• Oversee year-round programming, events, and activations to drive high footfall and engagement
• Ensure programming aligns with commercial objectives and enhances the overall experience
• Leverage flagship attractions and seasonal moments to maximise visitation and revenue
• Maintain a strong calendar of activity to sustain destination relevance
6. Stakeholder Management & Representation
• Act as the senior representative of the destination with government stakeholders and regulators
• Build and maintain strong relationships with public sector entities and strategic partners
• Represent the business credibly in high-level external engagements
• Ensure a stable and enabling operating environment through effective stakeholder management
7. Reporting & Executive Alignment
• Provide clear, structured reporting to senior leadership on commercial and operational performance
• Track key performance indicators including revenue, footfall, customer satisfaction, and partner performance
• Surface risks, challenges, and opportunities with clarity and actionable recommendations
• Enable confident leadership oversight through strong operational control and visibility

TOOLS AND SYSTEMS:
• Strong commercial and financial reporting capability across multiple revenue streams
• Experience using performance dashboards, KPIs, and customer insight tools
• Ability to analyse footfall, spend, and operational data to inform decision-making
• Competence managing multi-operator environments, partner ecosystems, and tenancy platforms
• Familiarity with CRM, visitor management, or leasing management systems

Education
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Hospitality, Business, Economics, or related field)
Experience Requirements
• 10–12+ years in senior commercial or operational leadership roles
• Proven leadership in a large-scale, branded, consumer-facing business environment
• Demonstrated ownership of commercial performance including revenue, leasing, sponsorship, or partnerships
• Strong experience in customer/guest experience design and delivery at scale
• Track record selecting, negotiating with, and managing third-party operators, tenants, or concessionaires
• Experience operating with senior stakeholders, including government and strategic partners
• Experience operating in Nigeria or the wider African region strongly preferred

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
• Strong commercial performance from launch onward
• High and sustained visitor numbers, engagement, and spend
• Seamless, high-quality guest experience across all touchpoints
• Well-performing ecosystem of partners and concessionaires
• Clear destination identity with strong market positioning
• Minimal need for executive intervention in day-to-day operations
This role is not suitable for project managers, construction professionals, or development consultants. It is a business
leadership role focused on commercial and operational performance.

If this aligns with your background or someone you'd recommend, please share CVs to: [email protected]