Sr Manager, PMO, Hotel Operation

The Sr. Manager, PMO, Hotel Operation role is designed to identify and strategically support project leadership to drive great organizational effectiveness and desired results for programs and initiatives within Continent Lodging Services. The Senior Manager is responsible for engaging and working across the CLS organization to produce results on assigned projects.  This position proactively engages in project and work streams, helps identify creative and innovative ways to improve effectiveness, facilitates the development of project plans, manages CLS project teams, helps identify and resolve issues and risks, and provides timely updates to Senior Managers / Director. The role facilitates project meetings, project reviews, and manages project funds.

The Senior Manager will provide leadership support in three areas:

1. Project Leader: Effectively lead CALA independent projects and deliver project results.

2.  Project Services: Provide support with development and execution of project services – Project Analytics, Templates, Presentations, and Stakeholder Management.

3. Creative Thought Leadership: Provide support to the CLS team around “Design Thinking” and innovation to maximize creative operational process’s and results.

The Senior Manager will also contribute to continually improving and evolving the support services provided by the Planning and Transformation team through enhancements to processes, tools and templates.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

Project Leader:

• Direct and manage one or multiple projects through project management lifecycle
• Be proactively and intimately involved in the project to understand stakeholder’s vision and scope
• Plan and facilitate effective project meetings
• Create and execute detailed project plans
• Execute project governance, manage issue escalation, prioritization, etc.
• Work with project leads to ensure accuracy of deliverables, executable implementation strategy, and market sustainability
• Direct cross-functional teams through project execution
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects and initiatives
• Support change management planning and communications in partnership with change management associates
• Negotiate and influence project direction
• Act as the project lead, ensure teams understand and execute their responsibilities effectively and efficiently
• Gain alignment among stakeholders
• Provide transparency for leadership to successfully manage problems and make informed decisions
• Communicate results to business leaders

Project Services:

• Utilize basic analytics to help support project business cases
• Design and utilize standardized project management processes and methods
• Design compelling presentations
• Manage vendor relationships with regard to project deliverable needs, contractual obligations, and general scope of work
• Establish tracking tools and benchmarking metrics
• Monitor success of initiatives/projects and existing programs/products/services
• Analyze and monitor high-profile Continent Operations initiatives to help with reporting and resource prioritization
• Support the development and refinement of internal processes, templates and stakeholder management protocols

Creative Thought Leadership:

• Bring creative thought leadership to CLS projects helping drive creativity and innovation
• Inject “Design Thinking” into all CLS injects and initiatives
• Help facilitate collaboration amongst stakeholders, sponsors and other impacted parties to define strategy and scope

CANDIDATE PROFILE - KEY TALENTS AND EXPERIENCE DESIRED

• 5+ years of relevant experience; at least 2 years of project management and implementation experience
• Hotel or Market Operations experience or knowledge of operations across multiple departments
• Expertise and proven track record in managing multifunctional initiatives
• Experience in providing direction and performing responsibilities via influence (as opposed to line management authority)
• Proven success in introducing major change to complex organizations
• Exceptional project/program management competence and skills
• Ability to distribute, assign and ensure completion of work throughout various teams without direct management authority
• Ability to persuade and influence others, including those at senior organizational levels
• Ability to quickly gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of Global Operations and Brand Management strategies, priorities and initiatives and represent them to various constituencies across the organization
• Ability to develop and enforce program governance
• Strong analytical skills for planning, estimating, budgeting and monitoring program/project work
• Ability to enlist and motivate individuals and secure resources without direct authority
• Ability to form and foster high performing teams
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to consistently negotiate a “win-win” outcome
• Expertise using MS Excel, PowerPoint and Project; Expertise using Land-It highly desired
• Experience within Lodging or Hospitality industries, preferred
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Travel required (up to 10-20%)

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• Minimum BA degree; MBA or relevant graduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and knowledge can be acquired
• Major consulting firm experience preferred
• PMP Certification preferred