Role PurposeResponsible for delivering quality products across the Hotel experience- Next Generation PMS for Single Image Inventory, Rates and Offers.This role coordinates among business stakeholders, software developers, technical engineers, designers, data analysts, and other functional subject matter experts to create a comprehensive and holistic roadmap that addresses both short term and long-term needs for the Next Generation Property Management System. The Product Manager, must be able to work at the strategic level (generating innovative ideas for growth and change management) and at the tactical level (analyzing data, solving problems). The Product Manager, will prioritize and activate said roadmap, ultimately managing the end-to-end product lifecycle from ideation to launch to adoption to optimization in an agile methodology, pivoting as needed in response to stakeholder and customer needs. They will also support in-depth business reviews, communicate, and present across all levels of the organization and support cross-functional product teams.Key Accountabilities
Lead development and implementation of product strategy: future state based on deep understanding of how the business works, incorporating customer insights, markets, competition, and distribution capabilities as well as the potential “game changing” new functionality and capabilities IHG will require to compete
Evaluate and prioritize the configuration of inventory, rates and offers within the ngPMS, driving development and documenting requirements for the platform as it relates
Drive the roadmap of initiatives including small enhancement and content refreshments to existing products as well as new product needs
Influence and drive the PMS vendor/s development pipeline from planning to the end-to-end enablement solution
Identify product opportunities far in advance of obsolescence, drive strategic planning, and articulate topline business requirements
Lead cross-functional working teams to design, develop, and implement prioritized product roadmap
Source data and craft test plans to ensure data-driven decisioning; use insights to inform priority of work
Proactively seek input from stakeholders to align the roadmap against business and customer needs
Forecast ROI, regularly report on product performance post launch, drive product adoption, and lead optimization plan
Identifies goals, metrics, and analytics to determine product value; continually makes recommendations and refinements to the product backlog based on learnings
Monitors research as well as the competitive landscape to recommend the best solutions and ensure that products remain or become best in class
Manage product lifecycles: continually evaluate product performance and key customer insights and ensure new product needs are identified far enough in advance to address needs before product obsolescence.
Communicate product information: including product roadmap, specifications, value proposition, sales tools training tools and competitive information to stakeholders. Provide status updates to PMO for regular reporting cycles.
Writes technical user stories
Fosters collaboration with team members to drive value and identify and resolve impediments
Provide regular updates to leaders and partners, sometimes catering the message depending on audience
Key Internal Relationships
Technology Services, Information Security, and other technology partners
GRS
User Experience teams
Hotel Content Team
Commercial
Global Customer Experience Brand Organization
Marketing partners
Global design, development, delivery, and support partners/vendors
Global Revenue Management
HOC Peers: work with peer groups relating to interdependence of systems, databases, and resources
Marketing & Loyalty: engagement related to revenue optimization of cross department initiatives and projects (such as room types and stay enhancements)
Global Sales: collaborate on current initiatives and client needs
Key External Relationships
Outside creative agencies: to discuss creative services and production
Vendors: interactions relating to data, reports, tools & systems and/or to coordinate projection of materials and bid projects
Owners: have an owner mindset and involvement with occasional owner summits
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, User Experience, Customer Experience, Statistics, Business, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experienced.
Experience
3-6 years of relevant work experience as a Product Manager in a modern software development company
Skills & Technical Experience
Expert knowledge of the Rates and Inventory landscape at IHG with a strong familiarity of competitors and other eCommerce websites to understand trends and best practices.
Strong understanding of PMS architecture and data structures.
Change Management knowledge.
Vendor Management experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people from all levels of an organization such as Hotel end users, Owners, and Investors, Functional and Business Stakeholders.
Demonstrated deep knowledge and understanding in a specific area of expertise including products.
Demonstrated ability to present new concepts, research findings, and business outcomes to various groups including corporate clients, senior management, potential vendors, and industry consultants.
Demonstrated program management experience with modern, established product management processes in organizing, planning, and executing projects from conception through implementation.
Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks/clients required.
Demonstrated experience in detailed product development discovery, documentation, and design work.
Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to perform research and use the results of analysis to make effective strategic decisions.
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Demonstrated ability to adapt tactics and strategies to fast moving, rapidly evolving marketplace required. Able to recognize when and how to pivot with ease and effectively deliver.
Experience in formal requirements methodologies such as vision, scope, context, use cases, etc.
Preferred
Demonstrated hotel industry knowledge reflecting the entire customer experience journey (reservations – stay – loyalty – on-property, and ongoing relationship management)
Demonstrated knowledge of current rates and inventory structures at IHG
Demonstrated knowledge of the concept of single image inventory
Experience in transforming from a legacy/on premise PMS to a Cloud/Enterprise PMS
Results driven with the ability to take an idea and develop a strong business case that will become the team's roadmap
Knowledgeable in technology and enterprise software
Ability to work and lead across all parts of the organization
Comfortable and experienced in presenting product vision/strategy to large and senior audiences
Direct Reports/Indirect Reports
N/A
Physical Requirements
Majority of work is performed in a normal office environment.
Some travel required as needed (generally less than 10%)
Influences
This position reviews customer feedback, data, and insights to help determine project priorities. Performs analysis of customer feedback, business strategies and objectives to determine final project requirements.
This position assists in determining the detailed design requirements of multiple projects based on budget, need, strategy, objectives etc.
This position measures the effectiveness of digital products and channels, works with Internal Departments to set content management policies, and research technology vendors and content providers to determine potential business relationships.
This position has final authority in interpretation of business requirements as presented by client in discovery process, and final authority in pre-production acceptance testing for features and functions developed on behalf of designated clients.
At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?We need people like you to make a difference and create exceptional experiences every single day. Don’t just join a growing team of 370,000 colleagues across 100 countries. Let your passion shine. Innovate and collaborate around the world. Embrace your ambition.Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We firmly believe that all our colleagues deserve to be treated equally and have the same opportunities to develop and grow their skills within our business and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and colleagues without regard to an individual's, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or familial status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.