Director of Chinese Operations

Role summary

Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.

The Director of Chinese Operations is expected to lead and develop business serving Chinese-speaking guests and markets in the Philippines. Responsibilities may include managing Chinese market partnerships, coordinating sales and guest-service initiatives, supporting revenue growth, developing travel-trade relationships, and ensuring culturally appropriate service standards. Candidates typically need strong hospitality or tourism experience, proven leadership ability, commercial awareness, and excellent communication skills in English and Mandarin or another relevant Chinese language. Knowledge of Chinese travel trends, online booking channels, VIP handling, and destination marketing is highly desirable. The successful candidate should be commercially driven, culturally sensitive, well organised, and comfortable working with international teams in a luxury resort environment.

About the employer

Shangri-La Group is a Hong Kong-based luxury hospitality company operating hotels, resorts, and residences across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and other international markets. Its brands are known for refined service, destination experiences, and a strong emphasis on genuine Asian hospitality. In the Philippines, Shangri-La operates prominent properties including Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, and Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, while its wider resort portfolio serves leisure and business travellers. The company employs multicultural teams and offers career opportunities across hotel operations, commercial functions, food and beverage, wellness, engineering, and guest services. A director-level Chinese operations position would support the group’s focus on the important Chinese-speaking leisure, group, and luxury travel segments.

Working in Philippines

The Philippines offers hospitality and tourism opportunities in Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, and other resort destinations. Common roles include hotel management, guest services, sales, food and beverage, diving, wellness, and travel operations. Filipino culture is generally warm, family-oriented, English-speaking, and welcoming to international workers, although business practices can be relationship-driven. Island life offers beaches, outdoor activities, affordable local food, and a relaxed lifestyle, but transport, healthcare, utilities, and internet reliability vary outside major cities. Foreign professionals normally need an employer-sponsored work permit and appropriate visa, commonly an Alien Employment Permit together with a 9(g) work visa; requirements can change, so confirmation with the employer and Philippine authorities is essential. Relocating staff should arrange comprehensive medical insurance, secure accommodation, and clarify housing, tax, flights, and service-charge benefits before accepting an offer.