Head of Hospitality and Real Estate Projects
Abdulla Al Gurg Global Investments
Total years of experience :11 years, 0 Months
• Recognized for superior performance as advisor to the chairman and promoted to spearhead the group’s Hospitality & Real Estate assets - accountable for strategic leadership & expansion, financial & operational management and marketing & sales
• Steer the expansion of the group hotel brand into GCC regions (UAE & KSA) - developed long-term plans, managed a CHF 125 million fund allocation and collaborated with consulting firms, banks, lawyers & developers to identify land and secure construction funding
• Lead the successful launch and establishment of new ventures for the holding company - coordinate logistics, operations and legal matters across pre/post-operational phases including actively seeking strategic partnerships and pitching to government entities and developers in the UAE to establish the group’s flagship Swiss hotel brand in the region
• Maximize revenue and attract clientele to the group's Swiss hotel - conducted on-site audits and implemented initiatives to enhance guest experience and positive feedback
• Direct a team of 5 and report directly to the Chairman/CEO - introduced work-from-home flexibility to improve employee productivity
• Provided expert strategic counsel to the Chairman on financial investments, market intelligence and family office management - key liaison for all subsidiary business heads, offered guidance on commercial and financial decisions, participating in all meetings
• Instrumental in the establishment of the group holding company & 15 subsidiaries - managed and implemented business plans during the startup phase, developed key strategies, embedded operational frameworks, recruited critical talent and fostered a culture of innovation and growth
• Partnered with and deputized for the Head of Investments - advised on investment strategies resulting in a 20% ROI increase within the residential property investment portfolio in the UK & UAE and a 15% increase in the Chairman's personal asset value
• Designed and implemented robust financial systems resulting in a 30% reduction in administrative errors - collaborated with finance teams to institute division-wise cost-centres and budgets to improve financial reporting accuracy
• Delivered a 20% reduction in group-wide legal risk - partnered with legal counsel to enhance compliance and governed logistical aspects and deliverables to ensure adherence to standards
• Provided development advisory and conceptualized land use planning for real estate projects - enabled informed decision-making by conducting in-depth market and financial research, analysis and benchmarking, focusing on revenue, costs & profitability
• Supported due diligence processes for strategic partnerships, joint ventures and operator selections - contributed to the analytics-led selection of operators resulting in 30% improvement in operational efficiency
• Delivered 15% reduction in project costs - negotiated commercial terms with 3rd parties and assisted the Legal team
• Achieved 20% uplift in quality partnerships - developed RFP documents to manage the sourcing of consultants and service providers
• Led a team of 2 and coordinated operator teams of 10+ personnel - ensured effective daily operations and communication
• Realized 10% increase in project efficiency for 3 major projects within Al Hudayriyat Island - advised on strategic planning and monetization for the masterplan and development vision and managed operations to achieve milestones within set timelines
• Delivered strategic consulting services to hospitality clients during this short-term project - offered actionable insights into market trends, investment opportunities, operational enhancements, strategy implementation and real estate solutions for client success
• Contributed to a 30% increase in successful investment decisions for GCC region clients - conducted macro studies and analysis to provide data-backed project viability advice to financial institutions, developers and asset management firms
• Achieved 10% reduction in operational costs and 15% increase in revenue streams - analyzed financial data including revenue reports and cost structures, enabling clients to optimize profitability
• Completed 5 feasibility studies - yielding 25% improvement in project ROI or market penetration for clients
• Established and nurtured strong client partnerships - provided high-quality advice and bespoke need-based solutions
• Gained first-hand exposure to Hospitality Advisory Services - applied and enhanced consulting skills in a new industry context
• Promoted from Analyst to Consultant and finally Senior Consultant in 2018 - earning recognition for outstanding performance
• Compiled and presented research reports and publications - conducted secondary and primary on-site research, used creative methodologies to deliver impactful economic, demographic and market analyses and influenced client investment decisions
• Led a team of 1 research analyst and 1 analyst - managed and directed quantitative and qualitative research projects
• Conducted 40+ real estate market and financial feasibility studies across the Middle East & Africa - including UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt and Algeria, resulting in a 20% increase in successful project outcomes and 15% improvement in property value and utilization for client projects
• Provided insights delivering 30% improvement in multisector market penetration strategies in the region - analyzed real estate market trends across 5 sectors—residential, commercial, retail, industrial, entertainment & leisure—and collaborated on mixed-use projects in education, healthcare and hospitality
• Identified and pursued growth opportunities through market analysis and strategic planning at this payment solutions provider - cultivated key client relationships, led successful negotiations and closed deals to expand market presence and generate revenue
• Worked closely with cross-functional teams - developed innovative product and service offerings
• Assisted with developing and executing marketing campaigns, content creation and social media management at this marketing & events agency - monitored campaign analytics, prepared reports and provided actionable recommendations for improvement
• Conducted market research & competitive analysis and supported event coordination & logistics
Bachelor of Commerce Major, General Business Management Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Marketing Management, Retail Marketing, International Marketing Labor relations, Recruitment, Training and Development, Design and Administration