Emre DOĞU
Hotel Operation Manager - Pre-Opening Expert
İstanbul
Summary
Experienced hotel operations leader with 20+ years across Türkiye and Central Asia, including key management roles in Hilton-branded properties.
Strong expertise in pre-opening processes, operational leadership, guest satisfaction, and team development.
Successfully led the team that won the 2021 Hilton EMEA Connie Award for achieving the highest guest satisfaction survey results.
Master’s degree in Tourism Management, combining strategic thinking with hands-on leadership.
Recognized for building high-performing teams, maintaining service excellence, and driving guest loyalty.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Director of Rooms (Pre-Opening)
Hilton Samarkand Regency
11.2023 - 04.2025
- - Lead rebranding of 3 Hilton properties (414 rooms total)
- - Oversaw Opening Pathway, PIM, LightStay, QA processes
- - Trained 100+ team members; promoted 15+ into leadership
- - Hosted VVIPs, international delegations; awarded Best MICE Hotel 2024
- - Supervised Front Office, Housekeeping, Spa, Guest Experience, L&D
Operations Manager (Pre-Opening)
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Sirkeci
07.2023 - 11.2023
- - Managed Front Office, Housekeeping, Security, L&D
- - Recruited and trained full pre-opening team
- - Applied Hilton standards and systems (OnQ, LightStay)
Operations Manager (Pre-Opening)
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Arnavutkoy
08.2022 - 01.2023
- - Oversaw FO, F&B, L&D; implemented CleanStay protocols
- - Scored 9.2 on Booking.com and 85.7 on SALT
Acting Front Office Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Esentepe
02.2022 - 08.2022
- - Joined during rebranding phase; contributed to Connie Award win.
- - Led ESG initiatives and LightStay implementation
Duty Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Esentepe
06.2019 - 02.2022
- - Joined during rebranding phase; contributed to Connie Award win
- - Led ESG initiatives and LightStay implementation
Night Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Avcilar
05.2018 - 06.2019
- - Reported directly to GM; prepared night audit reports
- - Adjusted allotments and rates; coached night team
Front Office Manager
Crowne Plaza Antalya
01.2018 - 05.2018
- - Boosted EMEA guest survey rank from 46th to 18th
Front Office & Revenue Manager (Pre-Opening)
DoubleTree by Hilton Elazığ
09.2016 - 01.2018
- - Led FO, Revenue, Reservation, Security, and L&D
- - Achieved top 10 SALT ranking in EMEA
Front Office & Revenue Manager
Ommer Hotel Kayseri
10.2015 - 08.2016
- - Acted as GM in absence; led reservations and digital sales
Front Office Supervisor
Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy
05.2015 - 10.2015
Night Manager (Pre-Opening)
Nidya Hotel Galataport
03.2013 - 05.2015
Assistant Hotel Manager
Anemon Hotels Malatya
09.2011 - 03.2013
Front Office Shift Leader
Sheraton Maslak Istanbul
03.2010 - 07.2011
Bellman
Conrad Istanbul
03.2005 - 07.2009
Housekeeping Trainee
Dedeman Istanbul
06.2003 - 08.2003
Education
Master's - Tourism and Hotel Management
Haliç University
Istanbul08.2025
BA - Business Administration
Anadolu University
Eskişehir01.2007
BA - Tourism and Hotel Management
Muğla University
Muğla01.2004
Skills
- PMS & Systems: ONQ, OnQ R&İ, GRO,Opera, Fidelio, Electra
Certification
- Train the Trainer – Hilton
References
Ahmet, Keymen, Former Senior GM,
0532 277 88 84, Hilton Samarkand Regency
Sayit Onay, Former GM ,
0533 650 94 86 Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Sirkeci
Uğur Atak , Former GM ,0532 207 90 51
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Arnavutkoy
Sercan Köse , Former GM,0539 934 07 82
Doubletree by Hilton Elazığ
Zehra Karaali, Former GM, 0533 358 19 29
Doubletree by Hilton Istanbul Avcılar
Interests
Reading Global News Basketball Football
Timeline
Director of Rooms (Pre-Opening)
Hilton Samarkand Regency
11.2023 - 04.2025
Operations Manager (Pre-Opening)
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Sirkeci
07.2023 - 11.2023
Operations Manager (Pre-Opening)
Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Arnavutkoy
08.2022 - 01.2023
Acting Front Office Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Esentepe
02.2022 - 08.2022
Duty Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Esentepe
06.2019 - 02.2022
Night Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Avcilar
05.2018 - 06.2019
Front Office Manager
Crowne Plaza Antalya
01.2018 - 05.2018
Front Office & Revenue Manager (Pre-Opening)
DoubleTree by Hilton Elazığ
09.2016 - 01.2018
Front Office & Revenue Manager
Ommer Hotel Kayseri
10.2015 - 08.2016
Front Office Supervisor
Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy
05.2015 - 10.2015
Night Manager (Pre-Opening)
Nidya Hotel Galataport
03.2013 - 05.2015
Assistant Hotel Manager
Anemon Hotels Malatya
09.2011 - 03.2013
Front Office Shift Leader
Sheraton Maslak Istanbul
03.2010 - 07.2011
Bellman
Conrad Istanbul
03.2005 - 07.2009
Housekeeping Trainee
Dedeman Istanbul
06.2003 - 08.2003
Master's - Tourism and Hotel Management
Haliç University
BA - Business Administration
Anadolu University
BA - Tourism and Hotel Management
Muğla University