Director of Wellness & Spa

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Wellness Management, Business
  Administration, or related field. Master’s degree or specialized certifications
  in wellness or integrative health preferred.
• Minimum 6–8 years
  of progressive leadership experience in spa, wellness, or luxury resort
  environments, preferably within ultra-luxury brands.
• Proven experience
  in concept development, pre-opening, or repositioning of wellness and spa
  offerings is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of holistic
  wellness disciplines, including mindfulness, movement, recovery, and integrative
  well-being.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams (spa,
  fitness, wellness practitioners) in high-touch, service-driven environments.

  
  

  Technical & Professional Expertise



• Deep knowledge of luxury spa operations, wellness programming, and guest
  experience design.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L
  management, budgeting, forecasting, and revenue optimization.
• Expertise
  in premium retail strategy and product curation aligned with luxury
  positioning.
• Familiarity with global wellness trends and the ability
  to translate them into culturally relevant, place-based experiences.
• 
  

  Proficiency in spa management systems and standard business applications.

  
  

  Leadership & Behavioral Competencies



• Demonstrated ability to inspire and lead teams through purpose, empathy,
  and emotional intelligence.
• Strong interpersonal and communication
  skills, with the ability to connect authentically with guests, Ladies
  and Gentlemen, and senior leadership.
• Strategic mindset with
  the ability to balance creativity, operational discipline, and financial
  performance.
• High level of adaptability and innovation in a dynamic,
  evolving environment.

• Commitment to Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards
  and creating a culture of excellence, belonging, and continuous improvement.

  
  

  Additional Requirements

• Fluency
  in both English and Spanish is required.
• Flexibility to work extended
  hours as required in a pre-opening and luxury resort environment.
• 
  

  Passion for wellness, sustainability, and creating meaningful human
  connections.

CORE WORK
ACTIVITIES

Wellness Strategy
& Experience Curation

• Defines and continuously evolves
  the holistic wellness strategy of Nekajui, ensuring alignment with Ritz-Carlton
  Reserve’s philosophy and sense of place.
• Curates immersive wellness
  experiences integrating spa, fitness, mindfulness, and nature-based offerings
  rooted in Guanacaste.
• Embeds wellness across the guest journey
  in collaboration with Rooms, Culinary, and Experiences.

Managing Spa Operations and Budgets

• Oversees
  all spa and wellness operations, ensuring exceptional standards in service
  delivery, cleanliness, and facility presentation.
• Selects vendors
  for spa retail operations and manages contract agreements.
• Oversees
  retail product research, selection, purchasing, and product display aligned
  with luxury positioning.
• Manages supply inventories and purchasing
  control, including uniforms and operational resources.
• Monitors actual
  and projected sales to ensure revenue goals are met or exceeded.


• Ensures all spa facilities and equipment are maintained to the highest
  standards.

Managing Spa Sales and Marketing
Strategy

• Develops and executes spa and wellness
  positioning aligned with ultra-luxury guest expectations.
• Creates
  and coordinates special services for groups, including gifting programs,
  amenities, turndown experiences, personalized invitations, and contract
  addendums.
• Develops and manages spa promotions, including gifting
  programs, retail initiatives, co-marketing efforts, and seasonal events.


• Ensures spa and wellness offerings are fully integrated into all property
  marketing and brand storytelling.
• Identifies and recommends new
  products and enhancements to maintain competitiveness and innovation.

Managing Spa Revenue Management Strategy

• Drives experience-led revenue strategies that balance profitability
  with brand positioning.
• Monitors and manages payroll function
  in alignment with business needs.
• Manages operations to budget
  by reviewing financial statements, forecasts, and payroll reports.


• Controls spa-related expenses including guest amenities, linen, professional
  products, décor, and supplies to achieve or exceed financial goals.

Ensuring and Delivering Exceptional Customer
Service

• Demonstrates visible leadership in guest
  hospitality, creating a culture of anticipatory and personalized service.


• Empowers Ladies and Gentlemen to deliver exceptional and meaningful guest
  experiences.
• Continuously analyzes service performance and implements
  improvements to elevate the wellness journey.

Conducting Human Resources Activities

• Reviews
  guest feedback, comment cards, and satisfaction results to identify
  opportunities for improvement.
• Develops and implements corrective
  action plans, ensuring alignment with property leadership and continuous
  improvement.
• Recruits, interviews, and hires management and operational
  Ladies and Gentlemen aligned with business needs and brand culture.


• Develops, implements, and maintains onboarding and training programs
  specific to spa and wellness operations.
• Administers performance
  management processes and supports leadership development.
• Establishes
  clear business goals and individual development plans.
• Builds
  and sustains a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team
  environment.
• Encourages open communication, engagement, and feedback
  through an “open door” approach.
• Ensures consistent communication
  of business objectives, expectations, and recognition of performance.


• Celebrates successes and recognizes contributions in alignment
  with Ritz-Carlton culture.

Innovation,
Sustainability & Community Integration

• Integrates
  sustainable practices into all spa and wellness operations, including product
  sourcing and waste management.
• Promotes local ingredients, artisans,
  and wellness traditions as part of the guest experience.
• Drives
  partnerships, visiting practitioners, and innovative programming to continuously
  evolve the wellness offering.
• Aligns wellness initiatives
  with Community Footprints and responsible luxury principles.