Manager, Strategic Market Planning

Atlanta, GA – Hybrid work structure with an expectation of three (3) days a week in office.

About the role

Manage and perform strategic analysis of complex markets to assess the desirability of specific locations in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico to determine the value of a new or converted franchise hotel on the existing franchise system. Provide strategic analysis and support regarding complex strategic and operational questions across multiple functions (including development, brand strategy, and franchise operations). Support key decision-making processes, including the Franchise Approval Committee. Maintain and track regional view on system size and pipeline, highlighting actions required to meet IHG system size growth ambition. Provide financial, analytical, and business planning support to assigned business units to ensure success in implementing the Company’s strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct strategic analyses, including development, data mining, and interpretation of quantitative analytical support for Franchise Sales and Development and Americas Finance.
• Provide in-depth analytical support and insight, including a deep understanding of complex market performance drivers, to identify target locations for the Company’s mainstream, upscale, or new brand hotels.
• Develop reports and processes to maintain and track performance against targets over time.
• Communicate frequently with the field sales team to translate complex analysis into easy-to-understand market insights.
• Support the development and ongoing evolution of the COMPASS model, including build-outs and improvements to the tool.
• Support and manage the development of key strategic reports utilized regularly for decision-making by senior management, including reports specifically for the CEO and regional operating committee members.
• Perform market analyses for the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Mexico territories, including studies of current and future trends of consumer, economic, demographic, and competitive data.
• Independently conduct market fieldwork to establish viability and/or feasibility of proposed IHG-branded hotels.
• Build and maintain data and systems underpinning Market Strategy approach (e.g., Compass, Tableau, Business Objects, Access databases).
• Maintain and track Americas region view on system size, pipeline, all development revenue streams, and royalty projections to ensure alignment with IHG system growth ambition.
• Review proposed hotel projects for location attributes, notification to existing owners, and recommendations as part of IHG’s internal review process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business, Strategy, Finance, Statistics, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• Three plus years’ progressive work experience in strategy, consultancy, or finance with demonstrated mastery of technical and business knowledge, understanding multiple disciplines/processes, and tackling complex strategic issues related to the position.
• Previous work experience in the hotel industry, market planning, or real estate development areas is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated project management experience in planning and executing complex analytical projects and processes from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking through an ability to analyze markets, performance data, and complex business issues to draw insights and conclusions.
• Demonstrated financial modeling/analysis (DCF, NPV, accounting, statistics) and basic financial principles.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and understand a variety of internal and external economic and financial issues and to analyze data and forecast future business trends in order to support the strategic market/business planning function.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills for providing information to clients, vendors, senior management, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and present data and analysis using a persuasive argument or to effectively negotiate a position.
• Demonstrated advanced-level knowledge and understanding of economic conditions, industry trends, financial statements, and other issues affecting potential franchise transactions, with the ability to analyze these factors and draw logical conclusions.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and relationship-building skills to effectively act as a liaison, explaining analysis, recommendations, and decisions to the Director of Market Strategy & Development Analytics, the development/franchise sales organization, and senior management.
• Demonstrated financial and business analysis skills, including the ability to analyze operating, forecast, and budget information, and use the results of analysis to make effective strategic decisions.
• Travel – 15-25%.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $84,000.00 to $97,000.00. This role is also eligible for bonus pay.

Benefits

• Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401K and other benefits.