Description

Purpose for the Position:

The Digital Distribution & E-Commerce Manager is responsible to develop strategic practices that result in increased market share and the achievement of each assigned hotel’s top line budget through a focus on E- Distribution and other online marketing tactics. This role will outline how to capture online marketing opportunities and will develop methods to capture direct and semi-direct online channels to observe and enhance the Internet footprint of Windsor’s properties. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of e-commerce strategies, digital distribution channels including the GDS, voice channels, social media, reputation management, and the hospitality industry.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Serve as the lead advisor on E-Commerce and online marketing disciplines for portfolio of hotels; Provide communication, training and education to GMs, Sales, and Revenue Management staff to raise their awareness, understanding, and motivation toward E-Marketing.
• Develop a Digital Media Plan for each property.
• Analyze hotel-specific needs and create strategies and tactics for increasing revenue, to include SEO/SEM, display, pay-per-click, email marketing and paid search.
• Monitor and track through and manage relationships with online travel agencies (OTAs), Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and brand websites.
• Partner with department managers for reputation management and social media management.
• Regularly audit each hotel’s online presence to ensure proper imagery and content, and that all links work appropriately.
• Review inventory controls and address booking volume generated from third party internet companies, online travel agencies and central reservation offices
• Develop and maintain electronic distribution strategies to include online content and positioning, market manager relationships, OTA's, GDS distribution, and voice channel content and conversion.
• Ensure properties are fully optimized to maximize traffic from search engines; Partner with web vendor to coordinate and execute Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics.
• Champion efforts grow online bookings for group, meeting and catering business for assigned properties.
• Support brand direct booking strategies in an effort shift OTA bookings; Identify best practices and opportunities for increasing new visitors, increasing conversion, and surpassing consumer expectations for their online experience.
• Generate and communicate analytic reports; Assist in formulating action plans based on data.
• Discuss trends and sales strategy, review results from the prior month and determine upcoming events and action plans for occupancy and RevPAR maximization for future dates.
• Travel to assigned hotels and/or corporate office periodically for training, meetings and other business activities, as needed.
• Perform other tasks, duties and projects assigned by Operations.
• understanding design/creative fundamentals and knowledge of basic photo editing. You could also say something about the ability to lay out emails and flyers that meet brand standards. You shouldn't need to get to far into the creative, but this may be where you want to pull in some general info from a more traditional marketing role.
• Keep hotel social media sites current with enticing content and guest interaction
• Manage hotel reputation on 3 rd party platforms.
  
  

Skills and Abilities:

• Marketing degree and/or appropriate combination of education and experience to support on-the- job effectiveness.
• 3 years of online marketing specific to the hotel industry; previous experience with major hospitality brands (Marriott, Hilton) is a must.
• Strong understanding of traditional and online marketing mediums, with experience with distributed marketing functions, a passion for business development and a proven track record for E-Commerce success.
• Background in search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, display advertising and email marketing.
• Exceptional computer literacy, with ability to easily navigate database, browser, email, document and spreadsheet applications and related programs.
• Previous experience with Property Management Systems and Central Reservations Systems
• Previous experience with Creative Design and basic photo editing
• Previous experience with Reputation Management
• Exceptional service orientation, with keen ability to focus and deliver on guest needs.
• Reliable and responsible character, with exceptional follow-up and attention to detail.
• Proven leadership skills in supporting employees to consistently attain personal, departmental and organizational performance goals.
• Ability to work effectively as an independent contributor, and as a part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage numerous priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel periodically on behalf of the company
  
  

Physical Demands: Light work. Must be able to lift and carry general office supplies and equipment. This work requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, move around and visit hotels.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Hospitality Management or related field preferred, or an equivalent level of education and experience.
• Demonstrate excellent public contact skills.
• Strong attention to detail
• Proven leadership skills in supporting employees to consistently attain personal, departmental and organizational performance goals.
  
  

Attendance:

Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by Windsor Hospitality from time to time, is essential to be successful performance of this position. Employees with irregular attendance/ tardies will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with Windsor Hospitality rules and regulations and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.