Job Ref: INT25708
Branch: Holiday Inn Express and Suites - Ghent
Location: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Ghent Akkerhage
Salary/Benefits: Competitive salary + DKV insurance, €10 meal vouchers, €250 eco vouchers IHG staff discounts.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Shift pattern: You are flexible and willing to work early, late and weekend shifts.
Hours per week: 38
Posted date: 03/08/2026
Closing date: 02/09/2026
Lead the Team. Create Great Guest Experiences.
Are you an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys taking responsibility, supporting colleagues, and leading by example? Do you thrive in a hands-on role where every day is different, and where you can make a real impact on both guests and your team?
Holiday Inn Express Suites Ghent is looking for a Shift Leader Front Office + Food Beverage. In this dynamic role, you lead the daily operation during your shift, ensure an outstanding guest experience, and actively support both the Front Office and Food Beverage teams.
You are not someone who manages from behind a desk—you lead from the floor, inspire your colleagues, and make sure everything runs smoothly.
As Shift Leader, you are responsible for the operational flow of the hotel during your shift. You coach the reception team, support the breakfast and bar operation when needed, coordinate with other departments, and ensure our guests receive the warm, personal service they expect.
You are the person colleagues turn to for guidance and the person guests can rely on for a seamless stay.
Your responsibilities include
Front Office
- Leading and supporting the Front Office team during your shift, ensuring a smooth daily operation.
- Coaching and motivating colleagues while leading by example.
- Welcoming guests and handling check-ins and check-outs with a warm and professional approach.
- Delivering exceptional guest service throughout every stage of the guest journey.
- Responding to guest requests, emails and phone calls efficiently and professionally.
- Handling reservations, payments and administrative tasks accurately.
- Managing guest feedback and resolving issues with confidence and empathy.
- Coordinating with Housekeeping and other departments to ensure a seamless guest experience.
- Monitoring room availability, cash handling and daily procedures while ensuring brand standards are consistently met.
Food Beverage
- Supporting and coordinating the breakfast operation to ensure guests enjoy a great start to their day.
- Assisting with the setup, replenishment and presentation of the breakfast buffet.
- Supporting bar service and light food beverage requests throughout the day.
- Working closely with the Food Beverage team during busy periods and leading by example whenever operational support is needed.
- Ensuring the breakfast area, lobby and public spaces remain clean, organised and welcoming.
- Creating a positive atmosphere where guests feel genuinely welcome and well looked after.
In short: you are a hands-on leader who enjoys coaching colleagues, supporting different departments, and delivering exceptional guest experiences from check-in to breakfast and beyond.
- You have previous experience in hospitality, preferably within Front Office or Food Beverage.
- Experience as a Shift Leader, Supervisor or Senior Receptionist is an advantage.
- You enjoy coaching colleagues and naturally take initiative.
- You are hands-on and don't hesitate to support different departments when needed.
- You remain calm under pressure and make decisions confidently.
- You are guest-focused, solution-oriented and highly organised.
- You communicate easily and enjoy working in a multicultural environment.
- You are flexible and willing to work early, late and weekend shifts.
- You speak fluent Dutch and English. Additional languages are a plus.
- You are comfortable using hotel systems or eager to learn new ones.
Above all, you have a genuine passion for hospitality and enjoy creating memorable experiences—for both guests and colleagues.
- A permanent contract.
- A competitive salary package, including:
- Hospitalization insurance (DKV)
- Meal vouchers of €10 per worked day
- Annual eco vouchers of €250
- Staff discounts at IHG hotels worldwide
- A flexible work schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance. Hospitality doesn't always fit a traditional 9-to-5 schedule, and that's exactly what many of our colleagues appreciate.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities through IHG, Aimbridge Hospitality and Horeca Forma.
- The opportunity to further develop your leadership skills within an international hotel company.
- A supportive team where collaboration, respect and personal growth are at the heart of everything we do.
Holiday Inn Express Suites Ghent opened its doors in late 2024 and is part of one of the world's leading hotel brands. Conveniently located along the E17 (exit U.Z. Gent), we welcome both business and leisure travellers looking for a comfortable stay, genuine hospitality and a great start to their day.
Our success is built on teamwork. Every colleague contributes to creating a warm, welcoming environment where guests feel at home from the moment they arrive.
Our hotel is located at Akkerhage 2, 9000 Ghent, near exit 9 (U.Z. Gent) of the E17. We offer free parking, excellent cycling facilities and easy access by tram and bus.
Click the Apply Now button and leave your CV and contact details.
If we see a match, we'll invite you for an introductory conversation. We'd love to get to know you and show you what makes working at Holiday Inn Express Suites Ghent so rewarding.
At Holiday Inn Express Suites, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities and experience levels. What matters most is your attitude, enthusiasm and passion for creating great guest experiences.
Join our team and help create memorable stays—one guest, one shift and one smile at a time.
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites is opening in late 2024, expanding our footprint and solidifying our presence in the local market. We are thrilled to introduce the newest addition to the Holiday Inn Express family. With our grand opening, we extend a warm invitation to experience unparalleled comfort and convenience in one of Belgium's most charming cities. Situated within easy reach of Ghent's bustling city center, Holiday Inn Express Ghent offers the perfect blend of accessibility and tranquility. Whether you're here for business or leisure, our prime location ensures that you're just moments away from the city's cultural treasures, renowned restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
This property is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, a division of the esteemed Aimbridge Hospitality brand, overseeing a vast portfolio of over 1,600 hotels and resorts worldwide. From big brands like Hilton, Accor, Marriott, and IHG to boutique and independent hotels, Aimbridge Hospitality prides itself on excellence and diversity.
