Director of OTA Strategic Partnerships - Hybrid AZ

Best Western International • Phoenix, AZ

28d • Hybrid

About The Position

At BWH® Hotels, we don't just offer employment opportunities, we create opportunities to be part of something extraordinary. As a global leader in hospitality for nearly 80 years, our vision is to inspire travel through unique experiences. Joining our corporate team means becoming part of a dynamic and inclusive community that values innovation, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact in the travel industry. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, BWH Hotels boasts a powerful portfolio of 18 brands, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels®, with approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries. We take pride in our top-ranking employee engagement scores and foster a workplace culture where your contributions truly matter. Join us and be part of a team that's shaping the future of hospitality!
Job Purpose: As the Director of OTA Strategic Partnerships, you will lead driving innovation and operational excellence across global OTA partnerships while serving as a key contributor to the broader distribution strategy. This role requires a forward-thinking leader who leverages industry data, professional connections and AI-driven insights to optimize performance and proactively identify and action opportunities. Reporting to the Managing Director, Marketing Owner Relations & Strategic Partnerships, you will play a critical role in shaping strategies that align with our business objectives across the BWH Hotels portfolio of brands worldwide. The ideal candidate demonstrates adaptability in a fast-changing environment, takes ownership of key initiatives, strategies and leads with transparency and accountability. A strong understanding of the hospitality distribution landscape, combined with a proactive approach to knowledge acquisition and leadership, is essential.

Requirements

• 8+ years in hospitality distribution partnership management, business development, or related field.
• Proven ability to lead major distribution partnerships and negotiations for successful outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in managing partner contracts and delivering results.
• Strong understanding of OTAs, wholesalers, metasearch, and global distribution strategies.
• Experience leveraging AI, industry data, and professional networks for decision making and performance optimization.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-driven tools.
• Ability to quickly gain knowledge of partnerships and distribution landscape.
• Strategic thinker with strong creative problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills, simplifying complex information into actionable insights.
• Proactive approach to leadership and escalation management.
• Strong project management skills with ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, QuickSight, Salesforce, and familiarity with AI-driven tools.
• Financial acumen with accountability for budgeting and ROI.
• Willingness to travel for partnerships, collaboration, networking, and meetings as needed (up to 15%).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Contribution Oversee global OTA partners, ensuring alignment and successful collaboration to achieve business results.
• Act as a primary contributor to overall distribution strategies across all channels, including OTAs, wholesalers, metasearch, and emerging platforms.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, proactively seeking opportunities for growth.
• Negotiate strategies and contracts with partners while collaborating with internal stakeholders.
• Conduct regular meetings (virtual and in-person) to maintain visibility and communicate status updates on key initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools, industry data, and insights to monitor performance, identify trends, and optimize distribution strategies across the ecosystem, while proactively synthesizing and sharing these findings with key stakeholders to inform decisions and drive alignment.
• Utilize professional connections and market intelligence to inform strategic decisions and uncover new opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement through innovation, technology, and process optimization for operational efficiency.
• Proactively collaborate with hoteliers to ensure distribution success aligned with company goals.
• Strategy, Problem Solving & Adaptability Establish strategies and deliver results in a constantly evolving landscape with multiple layers of complexity.
• Analyze complex distribution challenges and develop innovative, AI-informed solutions to yield efficiencies and measurable results.
• Maintain agility to adapt quickly to market changes, partner needs, and internal priorities.
• Proactively research and identify trends, ensuring timely communication and action plans.
• Leadership & Escalation Management Lead and mentor a dynamic direct and indirect team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Take proactive ownership of escalations, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication to stakeholders.
• Provide proactive leadership to recognize and address opportunities and challenges before they escalate.
• Create an environment that encourages professional growth, accountability, and risk-taking.
• Foster productive global collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision available day one
• Vacation/Sick- accruals start day one
• Paid company holidays and personal holidays to celebrate what’s important to you
• 401K - company contribution and match (U.S.)
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) – company contribution and match (Canada)
• Employee discounts/hotel discounts
• Free financial and health wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed