Director of Room Distribution

Job Description

The Director of Room Distribution is responsible for cultivating effective relationships with existing room distribution partners and Avendra lodging operators across a large region. This position manages all dimensions of the room distribution business and partner relationships within the assigned geography. The Director of Room Distribution will deliver expertise on key performance indicators, room inventory and allocation, rate and contract compliance, property system connectivity, customer service, disruption and weather events, and policy compliance. They will use this expertise to support all Avendra Business Units.

 

This position is open to candidates based in either Philadelphia, PA or Rockville, MD.

Job Responsibilities

•    First point of contact for all Avendra lodging operations and room distribution partners.
•    Provide customer service to Avendra managers as required.
•    Lead all strategic distribution decisions for a large geography.
•    Manage day-to-day relationship with Avendra field operations and room distribution partners.
•    Evaluate partner performance against room distribution KPIs (e.g., booking conversion, cancellation/chargeback rates, rate parity, service levels) and target opportunity locations.
•    Work cross functional with Avendra internal teams to collaborate and create strategies that maximize value for operations.
•    Participate in partner business reviews and work with distribution channels to drive performance and efficiency.
•    Manage partner onboarding and setup processes (e.g., channel mapping, connectivity requests, content setup, and testing) using approved Avendra tools and workflows.
•    Review and ensure all room distribution compliance documents are complete and up to date (e.g., partner agreements, connectivity requirements, privacy/security attestations, and insurance certificates as applicable).
•    Have a data focused mindset that utilizes data to make sound business decisions.
•    Strong collaboration with all levels of Avendra Business Leaders across all Business Units
•    Take lead in managing a specific room distribution channel agreement, including performance, compliance, and issue escalation.
•    Manage new market/property requests with room distribution partners, including mapping, content readiness, and go-live coordination.
•    Ensure room inventory, rate plans, and property content are accurate and compliant with standards and partner requirements.
•    Oversight of onboarding new room distribution partners/channels and supporting Avendra Managers through go-live stabilization.
•    Manage major disruptions (e.g., weather events, outages, demand surges) that could impact room availability, inventory controls, and guest experience.
•    Room Distribution leads on new property openings and channel activation mobilizations.
•    Conflict resolution, candor and a “can do” mentality is important for the role

Manage Existing Room Distribution Relationships
•    Ensure longstanding partnerships with room distribution partners.
•    Conduct business review meetings with key markets focused on room production, service levels, rate compliance, and guest experience outcomes.
•    Perform periodic performance reviews with other room distribution partners and stakeholders.
•    Periodic travel to strengthen relationships, address issues, and evaluate new opportunities for growth across properties and partner channels.

 

Manage Room Distribution Agreements 
•    Ensure adherence to the terms of existing room distribution agreements, including rate and inventory controls, content standards, and service-level expectations.
•    Evaluate extending agreements to additional markets, properties, and partner channels.
•    Evaluate use of agreements with new room distribution partners to improve reach, performance, and cost-to-serve.

 

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent years’ experience

Years of Relative Experience
•    Minimum 10 years of experience in lodging, travel, hospitality operations, and/or room distribution
•    10 years experience overseeing room distribution partner relationships. Experience in contract management is a plus. 
Travel Requirements
•    Up to 10-15%, all modes of transportation
•    Travel to: Corporate meetings, partner/channel meetings, trade shows

 

Primary Competencies / Skills
•    Strong Organizational Skills
•    Detail Oriented
•    Data Focused
•    Self-Starter
•    Change Management
•    Negotiation Skills
•    Presentation Skills
•    Relationship Building Skills
•    Effective Communication (verbal and written) Skills
•    Customer First Mindset

 

Systems/ Tools Expertise
•    MS Office