Manager, Strategy Planning & Deployment, APEC (Contractual)

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager of Strategy Planning & Deployment, APEC/GC is a key member of the Brand, Loyalty, Marketing, Revenue, Sales & Distribution Digital, Strategy Planning & Services organization (i.e., Consumer Operations), which provides business consultancy and project management services to Asia Pacific Consumer Operations teams. The position will report to the Director, Strategy Planning & Deployment. This role is responsible for:

• Providing critical thinking, structured problem-framing and constructive solution-building capabilities to cross-functional project teams 
• Engaging key stakeholders to identify, plan and execute consulting projects that support the strategic priorities of the company
• Designing, developing, facilitating and leading the execution of strategic planning efforts
• Leading associates, cross-functional teams and external partners implementation of Consumer Operations strategic initiatives
• Providing end-to-end project management, effective communication and analytical support for various Consumer Operations programs to ensure successful delivery of project objectives
• Activating and sustaining effective business relationships through strategic thought leadership and strong abilities to navigate and influence across the Asia Pacific organization

Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, strategic thinking, strong work ethic, and the ability to manage multiple complex project and priorities concurrently.  This position will work closely with other departments within Marriott’s Asia Pacific Headquarters (e.g., Loyalty, Sales & Distribution, HR, Revenue, Reservations, Digital, Operations, Finance, IT etc.) as well as with senior leadership in the field.

This individual will focus on the following project types:

• Deployment projects: Support the planning and execution of large-scale deployment projects (e.g. rollout of new capabilities to all hotels) including change management communications
• Project management projects: Providing project management support in key cross functional initiatives (e.g. APAC Integrated Payment Gateway & Tokenization Project) including creation of detailed timelines and milestones, project governance and tracking and development of future operating model
• Strategic projects: Support the planning, problem solving, research, and analyses to develop recommendations (e.g. business cases) for key business issues

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

Education and Experience

• 4-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major OR
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience, demonstrating progressive career growth and a pattern of exceptional performance 

Attributes, Skills & Experience Preferred

• Prior consulting or project management experiences are mandatory
• Prior revenue management, sales, finance or front office operations working experience is preferred
• Fluent speaking and writing in English are mandatory
• Prior experience in large-scale deployment projects and working with cross functional teams would be advantageous 
• Strong change management skills including ability to communicate changes clearly and persuasively, anticipate issues that may arise and strategically involve and influence senior leaders to motivate change
• Strong communication and presentation skills (esp. to senior leaders)
• Strategic Thinking & Organization: Strong at analysis, creative brainstorming, design, end-user/customer segmentation and mapping in order to support solution-focused problem solving to critical business challenges.
• Change and Ambiguity: Able to support the organization and team in working through unclear situations, challenges and opportunities through strong situation analysis and framing, rapid stakeholder assessments, critical decision making, solution brainstorming, and making data-driven way forward recommendations. 

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES 

Project Management & Execution 

Support initiatives in partnership with the Asia Pacific Consumer Operations Leadership team to drive change across the Consumer Operations organization.  Acts as a project leader and day-to-day project decision maker with the following responsibilities:

• Accountable to the results of the project
• Provides content guidance to the project, including business strategy development and implementation, measurement and long-term sustainment of project objectives
• Participate in review cycles at key milestones & provide go/no-go decision
• Actively participate in strategy development sessions
• Contribute to strategy development and project planning
• Develop and drive implementation plan
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder input and engagement, senior sponsorship and resourcing
• Establish key milestones and approval roles
• Ensure timely delivery against milestones
• Delivers program Key Performance Indicator metrics to measure performance and goal tracking
• Partners with hotel stakeholders to capture feedback, resolve issues, and facilitate cross-group discussions to drive business strategy and and/or technical solutions.
• Ensures strategy initiatives, priorities and operations are represented and advocated for, to all accountable resources to achieve goals and objectives. 
• Facilitates continent alignment of project goals and objectives.  Drives pre-launch planning activities utilizing cross-discipline, scalable processes and communication channels 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Communicates with supervisors and co-workers by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm.
• Informs and/or updates leaders on relevant information in a timely manner.
• Manages time effectively and conducts activities in an organized manner.
• Presents ideas, expectations and information in a concise, organized manner.
• Uses problem solving methodology for decision making and follow up.
• Performs other reasonable duties as assigned by manager.
• Some travel required.

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES 

• Adaptability – Maintains performance level under pressure or when experiencing changes or challenges in the workplace. 

• Communication – Conveys information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner through a variety of methods.

• Problem Solving and Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; obtains and compares information from different sources to draw conclusions, develops and evaluates alternatives and solutions, solves problems, and chooses a course of action.

• Professional Demeanor - Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the company in alignment with its values. 

• Strategy Development - Develops business plans by exploring and systematically evaluating opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results; ensures successful preparation and execution of business plans through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.

• Building and Contributing to Teams - Participates as a member of a team to move toward the completion of common goals while fostering cohesion and collaboration among team members.

• Strategy Execution – Ensures successful execution across of business plans designed to maximize customer satisfaction, profitability, and market share through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.

• Driving for Results - Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates, focuses, and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment goals; proactively takes action and goes beyond what is required.

• Planning and Organizing - Gathers information and resources required to set a plan of action for self and/or others; prioritizes and arranges work requirements to accomplish goals and ensure work is completed.

• Customer Relationships - Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer/stakeholder needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards.

• Coworker Relationships - Interacts with others in a way that builds openness, trust, and confidence in the pursuit of organizational goals and lasting relationships. 

• Global Mindset - Supports employees and business partners with diverse styles, abilities, motivations, and/or cultural perspectives; utilizes differences to drive innovation, engagement and enhance business results; and ensures employees are given the opportunity to contribute to their full potential.

• Organizational Capability - Evaluates and adapts the structure of assignments and work processes to best fit the needs and/or support the goals of an organizational unit.

• Talent Management - Provides support and feedback to help individuals develop and strengthen skills and abilities needed to accomplish work objectives.

• Applied Learning - Seeks and makes the most of learning opportunities to improve performance of self and/or others.

• Business Acumen - Understands and utilizes business information to manage everyday operations and generate innovative solutions to approach business and administrative challenges.

• Technical Acumen - Understands and utilizes professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage everyday business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific work challenges.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of discipline-specific systems, tools, and business processes. 

• Basic Competencies - Fundamental competencies required for accomplishing basic work activities. 

• Computer Skills – Solid PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Word skills

• Mathematical Reasoning - Adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides quickly, correctly, and in a way that allows one to solve work-related issues.

• Oral Comprehension - Listens to and understands information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Reading Comprehension – Understands written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Writing - Communicates effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.