Director, Distribution- Connectivity Operations

Marriott•Bethesda, MD

1d•$127,000 - $204,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The global distribution landscape in the lodging industry continues to expand and become more complex. The Distribution Strategy team is charged with identifying, developing, and executing the means to drive customers to Marriott’s lowest cost and direct channels, while optimizing the relationships with third party channels like Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Metasearch, wholesalers, and travel agencies. Marriott recognizes that our portfolio’s performance in external intermediary channels is a key area of focus. As a member of the Distribution Strategy team, the Director, Global Connectivity Operations and Development is a role that will help shape and execute the current and future state global vision for connectivity infrastructure, capabilities, and processes. The associate will assist in executing evolving distribution strategies in the complex B2B and B2C intermediary segments including the oversight of technology partners and respective interfaces to/from Marriott and Amadeus systems. This role will also oversee the technology implementation for partners including, but not limited to, Travel Management Companies (TMC’s), Group, OTA’s, Metasearch, and Wholesale. They will execute distribution solutions for these partners while working with respective stakeholders and Connectivity partners on a plan to scale across each continent: US/CAN, EMEA, CALA, and APAC. The associate will also play a pivotal role in working with stakeholders to operationalize and stabilize distribution strategies throughout the transformation project over the next several years. To accomplish this, the associate will work across multiple internal and external business and technology teams identifying critical business needs and objectives and transform them into actionable solutions and initiatives that support the overall Distribution and Marriott transformation strategy.

Requirements

4-year bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major
8+ years of experience in sales and marketing or a related professional area.
Experience managing a team of professionals

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience working with third-party distribution channels and Marriott systems
Demonstrated experience building and sustaining a cohesive team focused on the team‘s mission and its importance to the organization
Previous experience identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities, as well as obtaining and comparing information from different sources to draw conclusions and determine a course of action
Proven ability to work within all levels of the organization.
Experience managing transformational strategies for business units
Demonstrated ability to deliver results under challenging conditions, particularly when faced with complexity and ambiguity

Responsibilities

Serves as Connectivity Subject Matter Expert (SME) for 3rd party distributors
Aggregates distribution insights across Continent teams and transforms into actionable business and IT requirements to support strategic distribution initiatives
Manages IT roadmap to implement new partner interfaces to support Global and Continent Distribution Strategy
Manages project plans to pull through core capabilities and enhancements to existing partner interfaces
Oversees Marriott Growth Platform project and implementation for the Distribution organization
Works with Director of OTA/Wholesale to activate new programs and maintain high standards of operational service levels
Works with Senior Director Channel Operations & Support to monitor property and partner feedback, manage escalation resolution process, and recommend short- and long-term mitigation solutions
Identifies knowledge gaps and create a plan to educate key stakeholders to better understand how distribution strategies are managed and executed