Chief Operating Officer (Wellness)

Senior Leadership | Luxury Spa | Dubai | Market RelatedKey DetailsLocation: Onsite in Dubai, UAECompensation: Market RelatedReports to: Group LeadershipRequirements: Must have experience in a luxury spa and wellness space as a senior leaderStart Date: January 2027Notes: The role requires someone who is open to travelling internationallyOverviewSatāya is representing a distinguished luxury spa operator in the confidential appointment of a Chief Operating Officer. Our client operates various highly regarded, independently positioned spa destinations both in Dubai and abroad. Currently up and running in two destinations with more on the horizon. Their venues carry a strong sense of identity, a loyal guest following and a reputation built on the highest standards of wellness, design and personalised service.This is a senior leadership appointment, created to bring unified operational and strategic oversight across a multi-site portfolio spanning some of the world's most dynamic luxury markets. The incoming COO will work closely with ownership to drive commercial performance, operational excellence and brand consistency, while preserving what makes each property uniquely compelling. This is a role for a leader who is equally at home in a boardroom conversation and on the spa floor.Key Responsibilities1) Strategic & Operational LeadershipOversee all operations across the portfolio ensuring consistent delivery of excellence across both sites.Develop and execute long-term operational strategies aligned with the ownership vision for each property.Establish scalable systems, standards and SOPs that support growth without compromising guest experience.Act as the primary operational point of contact for ownership, translating vision into execution.2) Commercial PerformanceHold full P&L accountability across both properties, driving revenue growth and margin improvement.Identify and develop commercial opportunities across treatments, memberships, retail and partnerships.Monitor financial performance against targets, with regular reporting and clear forecasting to ownership.Develop pricing strategies and commercial frameworks that protect the luxury positioning of each brand.3) Team Leadership & People DevelopmentLead and develop the senior management teams across the portfolio, building a culture of accountability and excellence.Drive talent acquisition, retention and succession planning across both locations.Coach and mentor operational leaders to ensure consistent service standards and team engagement.Champion a workplace culture that reflects the values and ambition of a truly luxury wellness brand.4) Guest Experience & Brand StandardsMaintain and continuously evolve the guest journey across both properties, ensuring every touchpoint reflects the brand's luxury positioning.Work with ownership and marketing on brand development, experience design and market positioning.Oversee guest satisfaction metrics, acting on feedback to drive continuous improvementIdeal Candidate ProfileProven experience at COO, Director of Operations or equivalent senior multi-site leadership level.Background firmly rooted in luxury independent spas or premium wellness operationsA track record of leading operations across multiple sites, ideally spanning international markets.Commercially strong, with direct P&L ownership and a clear understanding of revenue drivers in the spa and wellness sector.Deep, genuine knowledge of the luxury wellness guest journey and what exceptional looks like at this level.A confident, inspiring people leader who develops teams and builds cultures, not just processes.Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational level — equally effective in ownership conversations and on-property.Fluent English is essential.Why Our Client A rare opportunity to shape the future of an exceptional luxury spa brand with strong individual identities.Currently a dual-site portfolio with international reach in two of the world's most sought-after luxury markets.A privately owned business with genuine entrepreneurial energy and a committed ownership team.Competitive remuneration in Dubai, with January 2027 start.Direct access to ownership and meaningful authority to make decisions that matter.A senior appointment with genuine long-term scope as the brand continues to grow.This represents a confidential search conducted on behalf of our client. To protect the privacy of the brand and its high-profile clientele, specific company details will be shared exclusively with shortlisted candidates. If you have not received a response within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.