Hilton launches women’s leadership programme in Saudi Arabia

Hilton has launched Raeidat, a Women in Leadership programme in Saudi Arabia aimed at empowering and advancing emerging female leaders in the kingdom’s fast-growing hospitality sector. Named after the Arabic word for ’pioneers’, the inaugural cohort brings together 25 women from 10 Hilton properties across Saudi, each chosen for their leadership potential. 

 

The launch of Raeidat forms part of Hilton’s broader expansion in the kingdom, where the group plans to create 20,000 jobs – over half for Saudi nationals – across its 21 operating hotels and 80 in the pipeline, which together account for more than a quarter of all branded rooms currently under construction nationwide.

 

Spanning nine months, the Raeidat programme delivers a tailored blend of in-person and virtual learning, e-training and structured mentoring. The first five months focus on leadership development, business and financial acumen, operational excellence and service culture, complemented by applied projects and assignments.

 

This is followed by a four-month personalised coaching phase, giving participants the tools and confidence to transition into future leadership roles.

 

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Kamel Ajami, Vice President, Operations, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, Hilton, said the initiative reflects Hilton’s long-term commitment to developing local talent and creating "meaningful" pathways for women in hospitality. 

 

Raeidat builds on Hilton’s ongoing investment in professional growth across the region, following recent initiatives such as the Management Development Programme (MDP) and the EMEA Team Member Exchange Programme, which allow team members to gain international experience across Hilton’s global portfolio.

 

Hilton works with the Ministry of Tourism and some 20 training institutions to attract and develop young professionals, with more than 300 Saudi nationals having completed its training programmes. Hilton currently employs nearly 2,500 team members across the kingdom.

 

Beyond Saudi, Hilton recently unveiled the Emirati Grow and Evolve Programme (EMiRGE) in Abu Dhabi, a two-year leadership development initiative designed to prepare Emirati nationals for senior roles in hospitality.

 

For more information, visit hilton.com