Ecommerce Manager

The overall purpose of the E-Commerce Manager is to facilitate 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 seek out online marketing opportunities and will develop direct and semi-direct online channels to observe and enhance the Internet footprint of Aimbridge's properties.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Marketing degree and/or appropriate combination of education and experience to support on-the-job effectiveness.
• 4 years of online marketing and revenue management experience specific to the hotel industry; previous experience with major hospitality brands (Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Starwood, etc.) is a major plus.
• 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 Computer Reservations Systems; experience with IQ Ware a plus.
• 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, for both short and prolonged periods of time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the lead advisor on E-Commerce and online marketing disciplines for assigned hotels; Provide communication, training and education to GMs and Sales staff to raise their awareness, understanding, and motivation toward E-Marketing.
• 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.
• Serve as the point-person for reputation management for assigned properties; Review social media pages and respond to Trip Advisor reviews, Google Plus reviews and reviews on other sites.
• Regularly audit each hotel's online presence to ensure proper imagery and content, and that all links work appropriately.
• Develop and implement location-specific strategies to meet and exceed goals in the areas of revenue generation and market share performance.
• Oversee and maintain 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 and GDS distribution.
• Review and implement rooms inventory and rate controls in central reservation systems.
• 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.
• Develop seasonal transient and extended stay pricing, and ensure consistency across all distribution channels.
• Complete weekly booking pace reports, review month end rooms statistics and other relevant reports; Provide critical analysis on performance vs. forecasts and results of implemented strategies.
• Conduct business displacement analysis as needed to determine impact to RevPAR.
• Travel to assigned hotels and/or corporate support offices periodically for training, meetings and other business activities, as needed.
• Perform other tasks, duties and projects as assigned by Operations.