Product Owner, Commercial Strategy

Who are we looking for?

Choice Hotels, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Product Owner, Commercial Strategy within the Distribution Strategy division.

The Distribution Strategy Division acts a bridge between the needs of our external users (e.g. guests, franchisees, third-party partners) and internal teams (e.g. Revenue Management, Loyalty, Marketing, Digital) by providing products and solutions to help drive revenue, capture bookings, create a seamless experience, and continually look for ways to improve and enhance those products.

As a key member of our distribution strategy team, you will work with internal and external stakeholders and employ market research-based to identify product gaps, revenue generating opportunities, own product roadmaps, and identify optimal ways to implement enhancements while bridging the gap between the business and technical teams. This will include overseeing end-to-end product development, designing, training, product marketing (internal and external), adoption, and revenue maximization. You will be a key contributor in launching cutting edge solutions aimed at maximizing Choice Hotels’ share of customer wallet, driving our associates’ efficiency and offering our hotel guests an unforgettable experience.

Are you a result driven, product minded team player that is ready to roll up your sleeves and turn concepts into realities?

We invite you to apply today for our Product Owner, Commercial Strategy role today and #MakeItYourChoice.

Your Responsibilities

• As a Product Owner on the distribution strategy team, you will:
• Play a pivotal role on various IT scrum agile teams across the organization by owning all aspects of entire product features from requirements definition to feature delivery. 
• Work closely with key stakeholders to understand objectives and expectations to ensure successful project delivery.
• Meet and maintain accountability for multiple, occasionally overlapping, deadlines.
• Maintain and manage several projects simultaneously; prioritize and reprioritize workload in alignment with departments’ business priorities.
• Develop and execute all software features release related activities including but not limited to, developing user acceptance testing documentation, managing testing sessions, tracking and resolving identified defects and developing release notes. 
• Partner with internal communications and training teams to develop product training guides and or product marketing plans across various lines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders built on trust and accountability.
• Independently research, collect and analyze data relating to enterprise systems to identify opportunities for enhancing key business processes.
• Work with stakeholders and IT to capture and document comprehensive business requirements that clearly articulate business needs with the audience in mind.
• Provide general analysis in support of strategic decision-making.  Conduct strategic alternatives analysis, for example developing models to measure the impact of strategic trade-off decisions.
• Set dates and track updates to project and program schedules; Provide regular resource usage updates and status reports; Assure adherence to schedules (as needed); Report risks, issues, action items, and decisions.
• Provide status updates for regular reporting cycles.

Your Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) from a four-year college or university in Computer Science, Business, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, or Hotel Administration; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 4 years’ experience in in a Product Owner, Senior Business Analyst or similar roles.
• 1-2 years’ minimum experience in hospitality on-property systems: rate management, PMS etc. preferred, candidates with similar experience in merchandising systems for perishable goods or services also considered.
• 1-2 years' experience in data analytics using MS Excel. 
• Solid understanding of key financial principles such as Cost/Benefit analysis, financial statements and P&L analysis.

Your Team

This is an individual contributor role that will report to the Director, Integrated Marketing & On-Property Technology. You will have 3 peer teammates and collaborate with cross functional departments on a regular basis.

Your Work Location

As our Product Owner, Commercial Strategy, you will be based in our beautiful, state-of-the-art technology hub in Scottsdale, AZ. In October 2021, Choice opened a newly constructed world class technology center.

Right now, our associates in Scottsdale, AZ are working in a hybrid environment, up to 3 days per week in the office and virtually from your home office the remaining days. We provide flexibility and encourage ongoing communication with your leadership to establish expectations about your unique needs.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 annually.

The pay range listed is for this position and is what Choice Hotels reasonably expects to pay. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs.

Choice prioritizes our associate wellbeing by offering a comprehensive benefits program that is both competitive and flexible to help you achieve your wellbeing goals - here are just a few:

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide

About Choice

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories, with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. We’re the hotel company for those who choose to bet on themselves – the underdog, the dreamer, the entrepreneur – because that’s who we are, too.

At Choice, we are united by the simple belief that tomorrow will be even better than today – for associates, our company, and our franchisees. At our worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, MD and St. Louis Park, MN as well as our technology center in Scottsdale, AZ, and through our associates around the globe, every voice is heard, and every idea is listened to, no matter what area of the company they come from. We are united in supporting the entrepreneurial dreams of our more than 18,000 franchise owners, which propels us forward – giving our work at Choice a purpose larger than our business.

*** PLEASE NOTE: this role is not eligible for sponsorship ***

Ability to model Choice’s Cultural Values: Welcome and Respect Everyone, Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious and Show Integrity.