Personal Assistant to General Manager

Company Description

The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, set to open its doors in the vibrant heart of Bangkok, will be the first Fairmont brand in Thailand. This 416-room luxury hotel, taking design inspiration from the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and contemporary dynamism, will offer an exquisite blend of traditional Thai aesthetics and modern sophistication. Positioned as an urban resort, our guests will be able to enjoy a very special and unique range of offerings such as eight dining and bar venues including a rooftop terrace, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, an extensive gym and an entire floor of wellness spa. For corporate and social groups, the Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit will offer two ballrooms, as well as eight meeting rooms, making it an outstanding destination for meetings, conferencing and events. The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit is set to become the social epicenter of Bangkok, embodying our belief that a Fairmont is a truly special place!

Job Description

Position: Personal Assistant to General Manager

Department: Executive Office

Reports to: General Manager

Working Location: Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit or any assigned venues

The Personal Assistant to the General Manager is a pivotal and trusted role, providing comprehensive executive support to ensure the seamless operation and strategic initiatives of the hotel's leadership. As a key contributor to our purpose "to show the world that true luxury is inclusive," you will play a crucial part in helping the General Manager "make special happen" through impeccable organization and proactive support, ultimately "turning moments into special memories" for both our guests and colleagues. You will embody our commitment to professionalism, discretion, and driving value for our owners and partners, consistently contributing to a balanced scorecard through efficient operations and proactive follow-up. This role demands a "present personality" and the ability to represent the General Manager with grace and efficiency, reflecting the highest standards of luxury and personalized service, and supporting the hotel's commitment to achieving and maintaining Forbes 5-Star standards. You will also serve as a champion for the hotel's sustainability initiatives, ensuring they are integrated into daily operations and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive Support & Administration:
  • Provide high-level administrative support to the General Manager, including managing complex calendars, coordinating appointments, and arranging intricate travel itineraries, ensuring seamless workflow and efficiency.
  • Prepare and manage confidential correspondence, presentations, reports, and other documents with utmost discretion and accuracy, reflecting our "accountable" practices.
  • Organize and coordinate meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and ensuring timely follow-up on action points, contributing to efficient decision-making.
• Communication & Stakeholder Relations:
  • Act as a primary point of contact and liaison for the General Manager with internal departments, external partners, owners, and VIP guests, embodying an "approachable" and "genuine" character.
  • Manage incoming communications, prioritizing and directing inquiries appropriately, and drafting responses on behalf of the General Manager as required, ensuring effective and timely engagement.
  • Possess exceptional interpersonal skills and an innate ability to "deal well with people," applying both direct and indirect influence as needed to ensure executive committee members' pending tasks for the General Manager are completed efficiently, demonstrating an "accountable" and "connector" approach.
• Operational Liaison & Strategic Follow-up:
  • Proactively follow up on key operational projects, initiatives, and directives from the General Manager, ensuring deadlines are met and progress is communicated effectively.
  • Assist in the follow-up and monitoring of operational auditing findings and actions, contributing to continuous improvement and adherence to standards, particularly those required for Forbes 5-Star service.
  • Act as a key coordinator and project leader for the hotel brand audit, ensuring collaborative involvement from all related Executive Committee members and Heads of Department, and clearly communicating their respective roles and responsibilities.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable point of contact regarding overall hotel operations, sales & marketing activities, and key performance indicators, understanding the interconnectedness of our efforts to drive value for our owners and partners.
• Sustainability Champion:
  • Actively champion the hotel’s sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, working with relevant departments to integrate environmentally and socially responsible practices into daily operations.
  • Assist the General Manager in preparing for and participating in the hotel's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Committee meetings, ensuring key initiatives are progressing and aligned with our belief of "making our community a better place."
• Guest Experience & Brand Representation:
  • Be capable of warmly welcoming and assisting hotel VIP, VVIP, or special guests on the General Manager's behalf as assigned, embodying our belief that "every guest interaction is an invitation to surprise." This includes a meticulous attention to detail that aligns with Forbes 5-Star service expectations.
  • Represent the General Manager and the hotel with a "present personality" and impeccable grooming at all times, reflecting the elegance and sophistication of the Fairmont brand.
  • Able to tag along with the General Manager to business events as required, even outside of regular working hours, providing support and representation.
  • Prepared to join business events upcountry or abroad as requested, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to the hotel's objectives.
• Mobility & Logistics:
  • Possess a valid driving license and be able to drive for the General Manager if needed or required, ensuring convenient and flexible transportation.

Prospective & Expectation: At Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, we believe that everyone is the Guest Service, Security, Sales & Marketing, and Human Resources Person. This means:

• Guest Service: Every interaction, from a phone call to a personal welcome, is an opportunity to delight and contribute to "turning moments into special memories" for our guests and supporting the hotel's Forbes 5-Star aspirations.
• Security: We are all responsible for maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and safeguarding sensitive information and data, demonstrating an "accountable" approach.
• Sales & Marketing: We actively support the General Manager's strategic vision by facilitating communication and follow-up that contributes to the hotel's reputation and success.
• Human Resources: We contribute to a positive and supportive work environment by fostering efficient communication and operational alignment within the executive team. We hold ourselves accountable to helping make our community a better place through our support of the hotel's sustainability initiatives.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience as a Personal Assistant or Executive Assistant in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Luxury hotel experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in managing complex administrative tasks and supporting senior executives.
• Knowledge of Hotel Operations, Sales & Marketing principles, and experience in following up on operational auditing processes will be a significant advantage.
• Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English and Thai is a must, essential for connecting "genuinely" with our diverse local and international guests and colleagues, ensuring every interaction "turns into a special memory."
• Proficiency in a third language will be considered a significant advantage.
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Possession of a valid driving license and a clean driving record, with the ability to drive for the General Manager when needed.

Competencies:

• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written), allowing you to connect authentically and effectively with a wide range of individuals, embodying an "approachable" and "genuine" character.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and maintain absolute confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring flawless execution of all tasks.
• A "present personality" – professional, polished, and confident in representing the General Manager and the hotel brand.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to "deal well with people," capable of motivating and influencing others through both direct and indirect means to achieve desired outcomes, demonstrating a "connector" and "accountable" spirit.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing needs.
• "Results-oriented" with strong time management skills, capable of prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously under pressure.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment while maintaining composure.
• A strategic thinker who can anticipate needs and contribute to the smooth functioning of the executive office.
• A true team player, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, dedicated to our belief that "our colleagues are the heart and soul of our hotels."
• "Well-presented" and professionally groomed at all times, embodying the elegance and sophistication of the Fairmont brand.