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Elevator Program Celebrates 20 years in the Caribbean and Latin America

This year, Hilton celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Elevator Program in the Caribbean and Latin America, just in time for open recruitment season. Two decades ago, this 18-month career development program that places talented candidates on a fast-track path to general manager, kicked off with a launch event in Miami for 12 recruits. Since then, Hilton has welcomed more than 100 participants across the region and currently employs at least 25 graduates at manager-level and above positions, including seven general managers.

Hilton’s Elevator Program is an 18-month plan designed to select and develop the most talented and internationally mobile graduates and fast track them to general manager positions within five to eight years. The program opts trainees into two nine-month regional placements that allow them to learn and experience from various departments, people and cultural backgrounds. The first placement is a general rotation within each hotel department, while the second focuses on a specialized area to prepare the graduates for managerial roles, all while participating in a mentorship experience with Hilton executives from the region. 

“The Elevator Program is an amazing opportunity for both internal and external applicants, placing selected candidates on an incredible Hilton journey,” said Orr Rivero, vice president, human resources, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. “Participants gain access to an incomparable and holistic hospitality learning experience, working alongside Hilton executives and leading projects in everything from operations and business development to human resources and finance.” 

Through these placements, the trainees take on business-driven projects with bottom-line impact, allowing them to express creative ideas, conduct feasibility studies, document findings, and then present their projects to their assigned hotel management team. 

Program graduates have come from diverse backgrounds and cultures from across the region, including everywhere from Argentina, Brazil and Colombia to Mexico, Peru and the Caribbean, among other locations. 

Apply Today!

The Hilton Elevator Program recruitment process takes place every other year from October through February. At active partnership schools, applicants will be asked to submit their resume through Hilton’s Careers website. Those pre-selected for Round 1 interviews will be invited to interview via our digital online platform, HireVue. Once selected, placements are decided based on business needs, availability and which languages the trainee can speak fluently.

Want to learn more and read about success stories? Check out the Caribbean and Latin America University Programs website and download the Elevator Program handout.


About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,000 properties and more than 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 195 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.