Avatar of Richard Leuenberger.

Richard Leuenberger

Managing Director
Leading people and organizations to achieve better customer service. Developing people to lead and inspire excellence. Motivating people to win. Planning and executing world-class hospitality experiences in F&B and Rooms. Being a great host. Being an expert in all things ‘hospitality’ & ‘luxury’. Delivering focus and success to the team and results to the company.
Logo of Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz.
Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz
Logo of Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne.
Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
Saint Moritz, Switzerland

Skills

Friendly
Compiling
Caring
Customer Service. Developing People
Implementation
Accountability
Responsible
Scheduling
Engagement
Motivating
Leadership + Management
Asset Management
Performance Management
strong communicator
Language Skills
Regional Development
Food & Beverage
Rooms Division Management
Operational Excellence
Team Management
Visionary

Languages

German
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional
English
Professional
Italian
Beginner

Work experiences

Logo of Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz.

Managing Director

Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz

Oct 2016 ~ Present
Responsible for the Operation, Strategy and Leadership of the legendary and independant Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Commanding the highest average Rate in the country. With a 157 key Luxury Hotel operation, including extensive Wellness Facilities (incl. Treatment, Hair, Kids Club and Skating facilites), 13 food & beverage outlets and large retail operations (33 tenants). With high seasonality responsible for a team of 540 employees, executive team as well as an off-site Sales Office in Zürich. -Consecutive Record Financial Results, Increase GOP by 38% -Achieved highest ADR in Europe -Forbes 5 Star Award obtained -Trip Advisor Nr. 1 Hotel Luxury Hotel in Switzerland -Established First Commercial Jet Flight London- St.Moritz -First Hotel using 5G technology in Europe
Logo of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC , Hong Kong.

Area Director of Operations Asia Pacific

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC , Hong Kong

Aug 2014 ~ Oct 2016
2 yrs 3 mos
Leading the operational efforts for 25 operating Hotels in Asia Pacific for the Ritz Carlton, Bulgari Hotels, Edition Hotels pre-opening . Developing and positioning leadership talent in operations for Asia Pacific. Driving financial results and holding accountability for F and B, Rooms, SPA operations revenues. Executing worldwide company initiatives and creating and implementing regional initiatives in all disciplines. Conducting regular Area Visits in all AP hotel s and managing performance against goals. Accomplishments . Implemented 3 Key Guest Experience initiatives to elevate the service and premium rate yield for Club Guest, Children and Family Segments resulting in increased levels of guest satisfaction and avg. spend. . Drive regional efforts to increased Guest Engagement scores from being last to being #1 worldwide in Ritz - Carlton Hotel Company . Lead operations Social Media Engagement efforts through implementing Social F and B Marketing Plans, Review Ranking Strategies in AP Hotels . Opened 3 Ritz Carlton Hotels by successfully, compiling and leading opening taskforce teams up to 90 managers each through a 10 day countdown process
Logo of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Hong Kong.

General Manager

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Hong Kong

Feb 2013 ~ Aug 2014
1 yr 7 mos
The Aberdeen Marina Club is a unique private community where members and their families enjoy superb facilities, outstanding restaurants and an impeccable level of service. Covering an area of more than 550, 000 square feet, the Club operates six restaurants and ten banqueting venues, with an unparalleled range of sporting and family oriented facilities. World-class Shangri-La service is the distinguishing feature, and caring, friendly employees strive to ensure that each experience exceeds all expectations. Accomplishments . Setting the property strategy and goals for the executive team . Leading change for excellence, appointing new executive team 7 executive disciplines . Establishing direction for a team of 368 employees, 98 coaches . Driving the construction and renovation process of 4 new F and B Outlets, all new elevator Systems, new back of house facilities . Directly presenting and reporting to owners and senior representatives of Shangri-La Asia, including the chairman
Logo of Shangri-La Hotels, Aberdeen Marina Club, Hong Kong.

Executive Assistant Manager

Shangri-La Hotels, Aberdeen Marina Club, Hong Kong

Oct 2011 ~ Feb 2013
1 yr 5 mos
Providing leadership for the Food and Beverage, Divison of the club on a daily basis. Operating 9 departments with 150 employees. Responsible for the entire club operation in absence of the General Manager Accomplishments . Managing project, critical path and opening of multiple new Outlets for Shangri-La Hotels within the Club . Managing project, critical path and opening of 8 new banquet rooms within the Club . Restructuring F and B Divisional organization chart, procedures and reporting lines . Overall implementation of new cross promotional activities with sister hotel s, wine auctions
Logo of The Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz.

Director of Food and Beverage

The Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz

Dec 2008 ~ Oct 2011
2 yrs 11 mos
Executive Committee Member Responsible for the operation of the Food and Beverage Division consisting of 15 outlets, including 3 bars, 1 night club, 3 Hotel restaurants, 1 wellness restaurant, 1 franchised operation NOBU, 3 restaurants outside the Hotel property, in-room dining, off-premise catering, banquets. Providing leadership, developing department heads. Preparing Budgets, Forecasts and Capex for the owners and board of directors. Prepare mid and long term strategy for the division and effectively communicate to the organization. Accomplishments . Successfully conducted 3 winter/sommer seasons . Critical Path planning for re-opening OF Wellness Restaurant . Created new highlight events : chocolatier classes, culinary promotions guest chefs, chocolate cult, egg hunt . Hosted Gourmet Festival and High Media impact Food and Beverage events
Logo of The Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, CA.

Assistant Director Food and Beverage

The Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, CA

May 2007 ~ Nov 2008
1 yr 7 mos
In conjunction with the Director of Food and Beverage manage 10 F and B Departments. Responsible for overseeing all operational aspects and budgetary tasks for the division. Accomplishments . F and B Pre-Opening Assistance Four Seasons Hotel Seattle . Reopening of a signature Steakhouse September 2008 . Wine Members Club Monthly Activities . Implement new local/organic Bistro Concept to revive local guest market
Logo of Four Seasons Hotel New York.

Food and Beverage Manager

Four Seasons Hotel New York

Apr 2004 ~ May 2007
3 yrs 2 mos
Successfully opened and managed one of the highest rated restaurants in New York City Hiring, Training and developed a team of 30 staff and 3 managers. Responsible for financial results, guest satisfaction and talent development. Accomplishments . Established proper Identity for different Meal Periods in order to capture local demand and achieved record results . Achieved 100% D. Richey and Company Spotter Result . Successfully re-bid Union schedules and developed 2 new managers Assistant F and B Manager The Four Seasons Hotel New York Manage one of the most successful Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch operations in NYC Scheduling, Payroll, Hiring Disciplinary action Accomplishments . Increased overall Average Check by 8% . Achieved 94% Richey Report Score Assistant Executive Steward
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Assistant Manager F & B and Housekeeping

The Four Seasons Hotel Paris, George V

Oct 2002 ~ Apr 2004
1 yr 7 mos
Positions as Banquet Manager and Housekeeping Floor Supervisor
Logo of The Pierre a Four Seasons Hotel.

Assistant Manager Banquets Internship

The Pierre a Four Seasons Hotel

Jul 2000 ~ Jan 2001
7 mos

Educations

Logo of Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne.

Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne

Bachelor of Science (BS)
B.S. International Hospitality Management

1998 - 2002
Activities and societies
Graduated with Honors Dissertation “Electronic Customer Service in international upscale Hotel chains” Received Best working paper award 2003 from IFITT, Helsinki (www.ifitt.org)
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