Hospitality Executive Search for C-Suite and Senior Leaders

What does hospitality executive search involve at the senior level? Senior hospitality executive search finds and recruits the leaders who run the company, not just a property: CEOs, Presidents, COOs, Vice Presidents and regional operators. These leaders are almost never on the market. A search firm maps comparable companies, approaches proven executives in confidence, and evaluates them on results owners and boards care about, such as growth, unit economics, margin and leadership bench. JWB Hospitality is a boutique hospitality executive search firm that runs these searches for restaurant groups, hotel companies, resorts and private clubs across the United States.

At a glance: 300+ hospitality placements · 95% offer acceptance · CEO searches typically 60–120 days · 20% of first-year base salary on contingency, no upfront retainer · 90-day replacement guarantee

• Chief Executive Officer and President. Leaders who set strategy, build the executive team and are accountable to owners, boards or investors.
• Chief Operating Officer. Operators who turn strategy into consistent execution across units and markets.
• Vice President and Regional Vice President of Operations. Multi-unit and multi-property leaders who carry P&L responsibility for a region or brand.
• Director of Operations and Area Director. The operating backbone of growing groups.
• Chief Culinary Officer and VP of Culinary. Culinary leaders who set menu strategy and standards across brands, units or kitchens.
• Chief Marketing Officer and other corporate leaders. Chief Development Officer, Chief Commercial Officer, and heads of HR, finance or sales for hospitality companies.

Hiring for a single property or restaurant? See hotel and resort executive search, restaurant executive search, General Manager search and Executive Chef recruiters.

• Founders and owners handing day-to-day leadership to a professional operator for the first time
• Boards and investors, including private equity-backed hospitality companies, replacing or upgrading a CEO or COO
• Restaurant groups and multi-unit brands adding a COO or VP of Operations to support growth
• Hotel owners and management companies hiring corporate and multi-property leaders
• Private clubs recruiting a General Manager/COO accountable to a board

Client names are kept confidential.

• International restaurant group, 30+ locations across several countries: Chief Operating Officer. Hired to continue expanding the business globally. Presented 2 finalists.
• Global fine dining restaurant group, locations in North America, Europe and Asia: Chief Marketing Officer.
• High-volume, multi-concept restaurant group, New York: Vice President of Operations.
• Venture-backed food and restaurant technology company: Chief Culinary Officer.
• Multi-unit restaurant group, NYC: Director of Operations. A growing group needed an operator who could build systems and prepare the company to scale. 
• Boutique luxury hotel, New York City: General Manager. The property lost its GM unexpectedly. JWB placed a new GM in six weeks. 

 See more success stories.

At this level, a strong résumé and a good interview are not enough. We assess:

• Business results: revenue and unit growth, same-store or RevPAR performance, margin and EBITDA, and how they were achieved
• Scale and complexity: number of units or properties, markets, P&L size and number of direct reports
• Leadership bench: the leaders they hired and developed, and whether those leaders stayed
• Governance: experience reporting to founders, boards, investors or asset managers
• Change: openings, turnarounds, acquisitions, rebrands and expansion

References are checked with people who worked above, beside and below the candidate.

1.  Discovery. We meet the founder, board or hiring executive to define the mandate, the results expected in the first 12–24 months, compensation and how success will be measured.
2. Market mapping. We identify executives at comparable companies, segments and growth stages.
3. Confidential outreach. We approach candidates discreetly and share your name only with your approval. This matters when the current executive is still in the seat.
4. Assessment and shortlist. You receive a small shortlist with a written assessment of each candidate's results, leadership and fit.
5. Offer and transition. We support compensation and equity discussions, the offer, the resignation process and the first months in the role.

CEO and President searches typically take 60 to 120 days. COO, VP and Director of Operations searches are usually faster. See our full process.

JWB Hospitality works on contingency: 20% of the placed executive's first-year base salary, invoiced only when you hire. There is no upfront retainer. Every placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the executive leaves or is let go within that period, we restart the search at no added fee.

Every senior search is confidential by default. Not sure which search model fits? Read retained vs. contingency search and boutique vs. large search firms.

Before you hire a firm for a senior search, ask:

1. Comparable searches. Has the firm recently placed this level of leader in your segment, and who personally led those searches?
2. Reach. How will it find executives who are not looking, and how will it protect confidentiality?
3. Assessment. How will candidates be measured against your business results, not just their résumés?
4. Process. Who runs the search day to day, how often will you get updates, and what does the shortlist include?
5. Terms. What is the fee basis, when is it paid, and what happens if the hire leaves early?

What is the difference between hospitality executive search and hospitality recruiting?
Hospitality recruiting usually fills property and management roles, often from active job seekers. Executive search focuses on senior and corporate leaders who are not looking, using market mapping, confidential outreach and deeper assessment. JWB does executive search at both property and corporate level.

How long does a hospitality CEO or COO search take?
CEO and President searches typically take 60 to 120 days. COO and VP searches are often shorter, depending on the market, location and compensation.

How much does a hospitality executive search firm charge?
Hospitality search fees commonly range from about 20% to 30% of first-year compensation. JWB charges 20% of first-year base salary on contingency, with no upfront retainer and a 90-day replacement guarantee.

Can you run a search while our current executive is still in the role?
Yes. Confidential replacement searches are common at this level. Candidates do not learn your company's name until you approve it.

Do you work with private equity-backed hospitality companies?
Yes. JWB works with founders, ownership groups, boards and private equity-backed hospitality companies across the United States.

Tell us about the role. We will respond within one business day to schedule a confidential consultation.