Senior Manager, Openings & Transitions

JOB SUMMARY    

Responsible for managing the pre-opening process for hotels across the Select & Premium Brand segments in collaboration with various Marriott International Stakeholders, Ownership Groups, Management Companies & Property Leadership. Ensure compliance to Brand Standards, Programs, and Initiatives throughout all pre-opening activities of hotels, including product quality, training certification and service delivery. Consult Brand and Market in achieving guest and associate satisfaction along with sales and profit objectives.  Develop, maintain, and enhance owner relations. Effectively manage multiple projects while creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation and processes to enhance team performance. 

 

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Openings

• Authorize the opening of hotels on behalf of Marriott International and prepare, follow up on and verify the completion of the Authority to Open letter and/or any Property Improvement Plans.
• Multi-unit project management of 30-40 openings annually.
• Support brand equity and ensure continued growth.
• Direct all facets of brand growth, including architecture and design, executive orientation, opening timeline and opening authorization.
• Assist field in achieving brand standards for service, product, and financial success, pertaining to all opening hotels.
• Provide direction to the ownership and market through policy interpretation and make recommendations on policy revisions of brand standards.
• Execute, communicate, and ensure compliance with ongoing brand programs and initiatives.
• Responsible for conversion/opening process including product quality, training, system installation, guest service, opening supplies and conversion criteria to ensure the hotel has met Brand Standards. 
• Analyze various measurement reports and assist field operations in improving opening hotel performance.
• Participate in Sales and Marketing Revenue and Marketing Planning meetings for new accounts as required. 
• Ensure Guest Satisfaction Survey goals for opening and converting hotels are met or exceeded.
• Ensure positive opening survey results are achieved.
  • Attend and participate in meetings and task force committees representing the Owner & Franchise Services Team and franchisees.

 

Account Management

• Participate in Executive Orientation for new owners/franchisees as required.
• Act as liaison for hotel ownerships between brand and market.
• Foster relationships with Marriott International Regional Vice Presidents, Directors, and owner franchisee regional contacts of assigned accounts.
• Develop relationships with multiple Owner Franchisee organizations.
• Provide direction to Owner Franchisee through policy interpretation and make recommendations on policy revisions of brand standards.
• Provide leadership to Market for franchise support, structure, and resourcing.
• Responsible for developing strong relationships with assigned owner or franchisee account management.
• Manage relationships with owners, which will improve adherence to standards and foster a desire to grow Marriott Hotel brands.
• Assist with the planning and execution of Full and Select Service Franchise meetings, General Manager (GM) and Owners Conferences.
• Attend and participate in meetings and task force committees representing the franchise community.

 

Administration

• Maintain, distribute, and update all electronic documents and websites pertaining to the brand and franchise systems, specific to hotel openings.
• Identify ongoing brand training needs and act as liaison to owners & franchisees.
• Actively participate in and assist Owner & Franchise Services (OFS) executives in annual GM Brand Conferences and Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites (CFRST) and Marriott International National Association (MINA) Owner Conferences.
• Champion brand directives and strategies and educate all applicable stakeholders.
• Execute and communicate annual revisions of Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), brand standards, and Quality Assurance program.

 

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

 

Required

 

• 5+Years of Hotel Operations experience or other relevant experience
• Ability to travel 70-80% of the time
• Complete working knowledge of Marriott systems: MARSHA, PMS, GXP, Office 365 Applications, etc.
• Demonstrate technical skills; must be computer literate and familiar with all Microsoft applications.
• Maintain a working knowledge of bra