Director Product Management - Workforce Platforms

Director, Workforce Platform

The Director, Workforce Platform will develop, direct, and own the business product vision and strategy for the major development initiative of IHG's new proprietary Central Reservations System which impacts all channels, regions, customer segments, and brands. The CRS product platform provides the revenue engine for the company and all of our hotels and includes the rates and inventory management and distribution for virtually anything that any IHG hotel can offer.

This initiative will lead to a major transformation in the way that IHG sells its products and services in the future and also requires seamless integration across IHG's revenue and operations technologies (RMS, PMS, data warehouse, Avalon, Magic, HCM, etc.). Direct the ROI evaluation and prioritization of CRS products' strategy and business requirements through creation of the product roadmap and capabilities documentation. Lead teams to accomplish goals and objectives including direct reports who organize and direct a technical and professional staff as well as large extended working teams and stakeholders who are responsible for implementing the products worldwide.

Your Day to Day

• Direct the vision and strategy for our CRS Product future state based on deep understanding of how the business works and the potential "game changing" new functionality and capabilities IHG will require to compete.
• Work in collaboration with Revenue Management, DRM, Brands, Operations, and other business leaders to integrate new CRS features into upstream applications and business plans.
• Direct the creation of all business requirements which will define the functionality for the new CRS (and the decommissioning of the old CRS) via the approved methodologies
• Work side by side with Global Technology to translate business requirements into system functionality.
• Direct determination of ROI for CRS initiatives and measure results once implemented to ensure business goals are achieved.
• Direct all user-acceptance testing, hotel user testing and beta deployment activities in preparation for full global deployment. Ensure system is stable and deployment techniques are solid before certifying product for production rollout.
• Consult globally with all regions, brands, stakeholders, and regional hotel operators/owners/managers to gather strategic plans and revenue generation opportunities, which help drive business requirements. Direct the segmentation of requirements into discreet project phases.
• Act as a trusted and credible business partner, empowered to make critical decisions about new CRS system functionality and business process changes and then validate with key stakeholder teams ensuring creative revenue generating improvements are being implemented.
• Assist with implementation plans, documentation, training, and best practices for usage of the systems.
• Plan, organize, control and lead subordinate functions within established budgetary manpower plans; establish goals, performance standards, and operating procedures for assigned functions. Participate in creation of department staffing and capital budgets.
• Coach and develop team members; hire, fire, assess, discipline, document performance, recommend salary and classification changes. Act as an advisor to subordinate managers or staff to help meet established schedules and/or resolve technical or operational problems.
• Responsibilities listed above are generic to the role but will be applied in specific areas of the business and therefore will require specific subject matter knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
• Product – refers to inventory, rates and availability
• Revenue Management – refers to traditional RM practices of forecasting/predictive modeling, yield, and pricing recommendations based on complex mathematical modeling, revenue/profit optimization
• Sales & Distribution – includes all channel revenue delivery for both managed and unmanaged segments of the business
• Data, Reporting & Business Intelligence – data analysis, performance measurement, revenue reporting, and strategic business planning
• Guest Service Delivery – includes working knowledge of hotel operational environment including both on and above property

What We Need From You:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree(s) in Hotel Management, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, Economics, Mathematics/Operations Research or other quantitative disciplines or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience.
• 8-10+ years progressive work related experience with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines/technologies/processes related to the position including Travel Industry Distribution, Revenue Management, Hotel Management and Optimization as well as 5 to 7 years managing teams and/or significant complex projects.
• Technical skills and Knowledge –
• Demonstrated deep knowledge and understanding in a specific area of expertise which will encompass one or more of the following:
• Product – refers to inventory, rates and availability
• Revenue Management – refers to traditional RM practices of forecasting, yield, and pricing recommendations based on complex mathematical modeling, revenue/profit optimization
• Sales & Distribution – includes all channel revenue delivery for both managed and unmanaged segments of the business
• Data, Reporting & Business Intelligence – data analysis, performance measurement, revenue reporting, and strategic business planning
• Guest Service Delivery – includes working knowledge of hotel operational environment including both on and above property.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conceptualizing and translating business requirements into specific system functionality.
• Business savvy and mental agility with gift of being able to think strategically and look beyond current paradigms for doing business.
• Demonstrated analytical understanding of hotel pricing concepts, yield management optimization and selling strategies as well as constructing ROI analysis. Deep analytical thinker with consultant like ability to quickly dissect issues and problem solve. Enjoys the pursuit and is constantly digging for more – deep intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated proficiency in directing the modeling, development, and implementation of holistic business solutions for hotel guests and owners.
• Demonstrated project management experience in organizing, planning and executing large-scale projects from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing people.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills for the purpose of providing information to senior leaders, peers, stakeholders, clients, vendors, and staff. Good listener with strong persuasive skills.
• Knowledge of CRS and RMS (HOLIDEX Plus and PERFORM preferred).
• Demonstrated understanding of other integrated systems, such as PMS, GDS, CRO tools, Offline Reporting, Internet, etc.
• Demonstrated understanding of system test script construction and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and influence in a matrix management organization

Travel – 10%

Location – Atlanta, GA: Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.

The salary range for this role is $145,000.00 to $175,000.00. This role is also eligible for bonus pay (as applicable). We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K, and other benefits to employees.