Hilton Worldwide Plans Expansion in McLean

Hospitality behemoth Hilton Worldwide is making an investment—in McLean. Governor Bob McDonnell announced last week that the company will spend $1.8 million to expand in Fairfax County, relocating more than 100 new positions to the company’s headquarters at 7930 Jones Branch Drive. This is on top of the 572 local employees that Hilton added last year, after their 2009 relocation from Beverly Hills, California, to McLean.

For a company with more than 3,600 hotels in 82 countries, $1.8 million is but a drop in a bucket. However, in the McLean community, 100 jobs can make a difference in warding off the lingering shadows of the Recession. “Hilton Worldwide’s expansion is great news for Fairfax County and for the region’s economy,” said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “Hilton Worldwide is such a well-respected company that its mere presence gives an aura to Fairfax County as a world-class business address.” The Washington Post even highlighted these new jobs in Monday’s paper, citing the Hilton’s personnel increases as evidence that the D.C. metro region is regaining its economic footing.

The expansion was a collaborative effort between the Governor’s office, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Fairfax County, and Hilton Worldwide. The negotiations lasted over half a year. Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “[Hilton] has been a tremendous addition to the other global companies that call the Commonwealth home to their corporate headquarters, and I commend Hilton Worldwide on exceeding growth plans in less than two years.”

The 100 new jobs will be in the company's Supply Management division, which is responsible for the identification, acquisition, and management of goods and services to support the corporation and its strategic objectives. Dasha Ross, Director of Global Corporate Communications for Hilton Worldwide, notes, “Supply Management team members are committed to providing the highest quality products, exceptional value, and utmost service to our hotels to create the complete guest experience.” Ross says the company expects to have all positions filled by May. Soon, candidates will be able to visit the Hilton Careers website to apply online.

“Hilton has been a great corporate addition to Fairfax County,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Virginia has proven to be the right fit for the company’s headquarters, as further evidenced by this significant expansion to the corporation’s supply management group.”

“As we predicted when we first made the decision to move to Virginia, our new location has allowed us to operate even more effectively as a global business and has provided a great quality of life for our team members,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “We appreciate all the efforts from Commonwealth and local officials to ensure a successful transition to our new headquarters and to create value for all involved.”