Partner Strategy & Operations Senior Manager

Choice Hotels Int • North Bethesda, MD

100d • $112,803 - $132,000

About The Position

Choice Hotels, one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Partnership Strategy & Operations Senior Manager in the Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances team. The Strategic Alliances team is focused on reimagining partnerships to create value for all key stakeholders of Choice Hotels - guests, franchisees, partners, associates, and shareholders - leveraging partnerships capabilities to expand the universe of value generating opportunities for Choice Hotels and our partners while evolving the platform to position Choice Hotels on the forefront of partnership growth. As a key member of our Strategic Alliances team, you will define, design and deliver key strategic initiatives for existing partners and drive the new partner implementation framework.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university in Finance, Business Management, Hotel Management, or a relevant field of study is required
• MBA/Project management certification a plus
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Strategy, Partnership Program Implementation/Integration, Partnership Operations, and related fields. Experience within the hospitality/hotel management/travel industry is preferred
• Background in the consulting field with a proven ability to build presentations and articulate recommendations to a senior level audience preferred
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities with a proven ability to successfully drive medium to large sized operational projects with external partners and cross-functional internal key stakeholders
• Proven ability to collaborate with and influence internal partners across the enterprise to identify and deliver process optimization strategies/efficiencies
• Ability to concisely communicate complex topics including senior leadership and all internal constituents
• Financial savvy with ability to articulate the strategic and financial merits/considerations of prospective relationships to internal and external stakeholders, including potential partners
• Strong strategic thinker who can translate market trends, partner priorities and internal focus areas into actionable strategic roadmaps
• Strong analytical acumen; ability to translate data into insight and excellent attention to detail
• Strong will to win, attention to detail, focus on efficient management and willingness to roll up your sleeves
• High degree of intellectual curiosity, comfort with ambiguity, ability to bring structure to complex and disjointed processes
• The ability to excel in a highly dynamic, fast-paced and ambiguous space. Highly proactive and comfortable acting with autonomy

Responsibilities

• Leverage data to drive the formulation and execution of strategic initiatives that align with the Partnership Team and Choice Hotels' overall business goals and objectives
• Support the optimization of operational processes impacting the Strategic Alliances function to ensure efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement
• Lead and manage strategic projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and successful outcomes; champion innovation and drive operational effectiveness
• Establish performance dashboards and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of strategic initiatives and operational improvements
• Develop and own the end-to-end execution of the Strategic Partnerships playbook, partnering with internal key stakeholders to identify and document required partner launch, onboarding, customer care, performance measurement and retention strategies
• Review partner integration, launch protocols, customer care processes and support operational activities on a frequent basis to advise leadership on the implementation of beneficial continuous improvement initiatives
• Effectively communicate recommendations to Senior Leadership and external relationships
• Develop and sustain long-term relationships with key partners, ensuring mutual growth and success
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to optimize existing relationships and generate incremental value for both parties
• Support quarterly business reviews to discuss current business performance and joint initiatives to drive in year performance growth
• Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, distribution, marketing, and technology, to ensure seamless coordination on partner-related initiatives
• Navigate internal and external organizations to identify the key stakeholders and decision makers, unblock issues when they arise and manage accordingly
• Develop visually engaging and concise presentations that effectively communicate the business and financial merits and considerations associated with recommended partnership strategies to senior leadership and potential partners
• Underwrite partnership (and periodically M&A) opportunities to evaluate financial outcomes and assess the feasibility of proposed terms
• Prepare presentations to executive leadership illustrating the risk/return characteristic of alliance opportunities
• Participate in the negotiation of contracts with new and existing partners, coordinating closely with legal, finance, technology, and distribution strategy
• Produce tailored pitch decks which demonstrate the strategic value of key initiatives designed to attract new and enhance existing partnerships

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice Hotels worldwide

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Accommodation
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree