Management Trainee - Leela Leadership Development Programme at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

About The Leela

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is India’s largest institutionally owned and managed pure-play luxury hospitality brand. Backed by Brookfield, The Leela’s portfolio comprises 15 operating award-winning properties spanning owned, operated, and managed hotels and another 10 in the pipeline across leading leisure and business destinations in India and Dubai. Recognized globally for architectural excellence and bespoke services, The Leela was ranked #2 globally among the best Hotel Brand in the World by the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026 and has been previously ranked as the World’s Best Hotel Brand by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards in 2020 and 2021, and among the global top three in 2023, 2024 and 2026. The brand remains committed to delivering timeless Indian hospitality through world-class luxury experiences.

Why join The Leela?

• Award-Winning Brand: Join a brand that has been recognized as one of the World’s Best Hotel Brands for two consecutive years.
• Commitment to Excellence: Be part of a team that is dedicated to providing the highest standards of service and hospitality.
• Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that encourages creativity and innovation, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of luxury hospitality.
• Career Growth: Benefit from our strong pipeline of future projects and opportunities for career advancement within The Leela and our global alliances.
• Cultural Experiences: Engage with the rich cultural tapestry of India, bringing unique and authentic experiences to our discerning guests.

Position Overview

Programme Duration: 15 Months

Location: Across The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts

Responsibilities

As a Management Trainee, you will be placed in a fast-paced, learningintensive environment where you will gain in-depth exposure to key departments and hotel operations. The role is designed to help you understand the fundamentals of luxury service, people management, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction, preparing you for a junior leadership position upon successful completion.

Key skills and experience

• Rotational Departmental Exposure: Undergo structured, hands-on training across multiple departments (Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Sales, HR, Revenue, etc.). Develop domain expertise, apply an eagerness to learn and adapt, and stay updated on hospitality trends and industry standards.
• Operational Involvement: Participate in daily operations, ensure SOP compliance, and deliver luxury guest experiences. This requires attention to detail, guest orientation, safety & security awareness, and adherence to ethical standards.
• Guest Interaction & Relationship Building: Interact with guests to anticipate needs, resolve issues, and provide personalized service. Bring confidence, enthusiasm, positive body language, strong communication skills, and emotional maturity to every interaction.
• Project Participation: Contribute to brand-level initiatives such as guest experience enhancements or process improvements. Show initiative, ownership, proactivity, and achievement orientation by bringing fresh perspectives and staying updated on current affairs.
• Learning & Development: Attend leadership and service excellence modules through ISH–Les Roches. Cultivate a learning mindset, motivation to excel, and passion for the hotel industry.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with multiple teams to understand inter-departmental dependencies. Display team orientation, collaboration skills, respect for colleagues, and positive engagement with peers.
• Mentorship & Feedback: Work under senior leaders, applying active listening, comprehension, self-awareness, and emotional literacy to feedback for professional growth.
• Reporting & Analysis: Prepare daily operational reports and dashboards, ensuring integrity, dependability, and accountability in data handling.
• Leadership Preparation: Take ownership of tasks, manage small teams, and demonstrate readiness for supervisory roles. Exhibit professional demeanor, poise under pressure, energy, enthusiasm, and alignment with The Leela Dharma Values.
• Upholding Brand Standards: Maintain impeccable grooming and hospitality etiquette, while consistently reflecting genuine smile, personal hygiene, positive projection, and commitment to service excellence.

Eligibility Criteria

• A graduate from a recognized university (preferably in Hospitality Management or related disciplines
• Minimum 1 year of work experience in a luxury hotel.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills High learning agility, attention to detail, and a customer-first mindset