Senior Manager - IT Hotel Openings & Conversions

JOB SUMMARY
 

The Sr. Manager, Information Technology – CALA Hotel Openings & Conversions, leads technology planning and execution to support successful hotel openings, conversions, and transitions across the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA). This role is accountable for coordinating technology deliverables, implementation readiness, quality control, training, issue resolution, and stakeholder communication across all applicable brands. The Sr. Manager partners closely with Corporate Global Technology (GT), third-party vendors, continent discipline leads, property teams, and business stakeholders to ensure all technology activities are delivered in alignment with project timelines, compliance requirements, and Marriott standards. The role requires advanced project management expertise, strong knowledge of property-based technology, and the ability to manage complex cross-functional dependencies. The Sr. Manager proactively identifies risks, opportunities, and solutions, ensuring that leadership and stakeholders receive timely updates and that each opening or conversion is positioned for operational success and execution. Through strong leadership and proactive stakeholder management, the Sr. Manager ensures CALA hotel openings and conversions are delivered successfully, with technology solutions implemented effectively and properties ready to operate.
 

CANDIDATE PROFILE
 

Education and Experience Required
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• 8+ years relevant work experience in technology operations
• 4+ years demonstrated track record in managing multiple projects of significant size and scope, as well as providing services, support of applications, hardware and operating systems.
• 4+ Years of experience working with and demonstrating proficiency in Marriott Technology Infrastructure, including but not limited to security policies, deployment processes, approved and certified solutions, and above-property technology services, across managed and franchise hotels.
• 4+ years managing multiple hotel openings, conversions and transitions.
• 3+ years of IT management experience, including managing projects across multiple locations and leading teams on projects.
• 3+ years experience in at least one of the following:
- Property Management System (PMS) configuration and training methodologies, preferably in OPERA.
- Implement and support Marriott server infrastructure, including server imaging and staging, MI security standards proficiency, end-user support and computer imaging, and GPNS proficiency.
• Ability to develop and foster business relationships with diverse groups from the community, stakeholders, and other entities (client, vendor, peers, cross functional partners
• Ability to travel up to 20% as needed to support on-site implementation and provide team member support and development.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills and a results-oriented mindset by applying technology-driven solutions to complex business challenges, effectively managing multiple priorities, and maintaining sound judgment under pressure and ambiguity.
• Language Skills – Proficiency in written and oral communication skills in Spanish & English language required.
Preferred
• Technical certifications desired include Network+, Cisco, AWS Practitioner, PMP, ITIL, Microsoft Certified Professional, and OPERA PMS.
 

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
 

New Property Openings/Conversion IT Project Management
• Project manage and coordinate all required activities needed for the technology implementation at multiple assigned hotel opening project, conversions, and transitions, including:
- Development of deliverables, deadlines, milestones
- Preparation of technology estimates for opening and converting hotels
- Scheduling and coordination of key tasks, activities, meetings and training events
- Identification of risks and contingency plans
• Third-party management; managed third-party vendors such as PMS, POS, GPNS, and PBX to ensure that project goals are met on time and within Marriott standards.
• Continuously evaluate, document, and communicate updates to keep all relevant stakeholders informed of project status and ensure projects are adhering to budgets and deadlines.
• Proactively identify, resolve, and escalate risks and system performance issues as appropriate to ensure on time and on budget execution of deliverables.
• Interface with and manage relationship with vendors regarding project deliverable needs, contractual obligations, and general scope of working during installation, training, conversion, and during the live support process to ensure needs are being met and compliance with brand standards.
• Review, provide feedback, and resolve deficiencies with vendor proposals, bills of materials, contracts, and implementation schedules with representatives from third-party providers.
• Ensure the successful onboarding of Property Systems Managersand other key associates of new hotels including timely and effective delivery of training, documentation, and business relationship turnover to CALA IT Field Operations Area Director.
• Functions as IT escalation point for direct team, hotel owners and franchisees on risks for new hotel openings and conversions.
• Ensure accuracy of supporting documentation for Hotel Opening/Conversion technology implementation such as technical checklists or training materials. Deploy project management and technical expertise to contribute updates to existing documentation as appropriate.
Technical Project Execution
• Facilitate property software license and hardware acquisition with Global Technology Procurement or third party vendors for new hotel openings and conversions.
• Resolves application issues or hardware/software problems or escalate as needed.
• Support acquisition surveys for hotel conversions.
• Support site surveys and Module 13 (Global Design reviews), document process, and follow up with stakeholders.
• Accountable for the quality assurance and acceptance testing of installed systems in partnership with designated vendors.
Global Technology Business Support
• Build and maintain relationships with executive leadership, business customers and technology stakeholders to communicate status of property openings and conversions and bring attention to technology changes experienced in the region to the business.
• Actively participate in the effort of continental modernization, providing feedback, supporting new process development, and helping shape our continental strategy based on the Global Technologies vision.
• Provides project support for hotel deflags, managed/franchise conversions in coordination with CALA Regional Leadership and Property based Systems Managers/Technicians.
• Works closely with Marriott Headquarters IT departments in coordinating property pilots/beta testing for new technology.
• Coordinate and assist in testing and certification of third-party products on International Property standard infrastructure with Marriott Global Technology Architecture group.
• Works with International PCI project office to support testing and implementation efforts for new hotel openings/conversions
• Oversee configuration of data back-up solution at new hotel openings and conversions.
 

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
 

Leadership
• Communication - Conveys information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner through a variety of methods.
• Leading Through Vision and Values - Keeps the organization's vision and values at the forefront of employee decision making and action.
• Managing Change - Initiates and/or manages the change process and energizes it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace; serves as role model for how to handle change by maintaining composure and performance level under pressure or when experiencing challenges.
• 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.
 

Managing Execution
• Leading Through Collaboration - Leverages an effective interpersonal style to promote collaboration and cohesion; leads by example to inspire engagement and maintain focus on the team’s mission and organizational impact.
• 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.
 

Building Relationships
• Customer Relationships - Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer/stakeholder needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards.
• 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.
• Strategic Partnerships - Develops collaborative relationships with fellow employees and business partners by making them feel valued, appreciated, and included; explores partnership opportunities with other people in and outside the organization; influences and leverages corporate and continental shared services and/or discipline leaders (e.g., HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Revenue Management) to achieve objectives; maintains effective external relations with government, business and industry in respective countries; performs effectively as a liaison between locations, disciplines, and corporate to ensure needed resources are received and corporate strategies are understood and executed.
 

Generating Talent and Organizational Capability
• Fostering Knowledge Sharing and Growth: Encourages peer development through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mentorship among team members and stakeholders. It promotes skill improvement and professional growth while creating opportunities that enhance confidence, capabilities, and long-term 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.
 

Learning and Applying Professional Expertise
• 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.
- Property Management System (PMS) configuration and training methodologies
- Network hardware, desktop, peripherals, protocols, communications, and operating systems
- Marriott’s Server and Active Directory, Desktop Management (GPO), and Security implementation including Windows 2016 and VMWare Server Operating System
• Continuous Learning - Actively identifies new areas for learning; regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learns through their application.
• Strategy Knowledge - Understanding and utilizing professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific strategic work challenges

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.