Product - Technical Lead

Whitbread; Houghton Regis; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (BUPA)

Pension 10%

Hotel Discounts

Annual Bonus (30%)

Job summary

Whitbread is seeking a Technical Lead - Hotel Operations to shape the future of smart operations across our hotel estate. This product-led role focuses on robotics, automation, connected devices and IoT to improve operational efficiency and team experience.

As a bridge between technology and business, you will translate technical concepts into a clear product vision, roadmaps and value. You’ll collaborate with engineering, architecture, suppliers and senior stakeholders to ensure scalable,

Qualifications

• Experience with smart building, automation, robotics, connected devices or IoT technologies.
• Strong understanding of software products and technology delivery.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• Curiosity for emerging technologies and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product direction for smart building technologies, define roadmaps and requirements.
• Explain how technology decisions create business value and balance short-term and long-term needs.
• Engage senior stakeholders and provide clear updates on the smart operations strategy.

Skills

Smart building tech

Software delivery

Technical storytelling

Communication

Emerging tech curiosity

Job description

Here at Whitbread, we're looking for a Technical Lead - Hotel Operations to help shape the future of smart operations across our hotel estate. This is a product-led role focused on emerging technologies including robotics, automation, connected devices and IoT, helping us deliver innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency and team experience.

This is not a large-scale programme leadership position. Instead, you'll act as the bridge between technology and business, translating complex technical concepts into clear product vision, strategy and value. You'll work closely with technical teams, suppliers and senior stakeholders to ensure solutions are scalable, future-proof and aligned to business needs.

Role: Technical Lead - Hotel Operations

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent

Location: Whitbread Court, Dunstable (Hybrid, 3 days per week)

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Healthcare: Family BUPA healthcare
• 10% matched pension
• Discounts: Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays and 25% discount on our Restaurant brand
• Annual Incentive of up to 30% Bonus

Check out all our benefits here:

What you’ll be doing:

You'll lead the product direction for smart building technologies, including robotics, automation, connected devices and IoT solutions. Working with engineering, architecture and operational stakeholders, you'll define product roadmaps, shape requirements and help identify opportunities where technology can improve hotel operations.

A key part of the role will be turning complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes. You'll explain how technology decisions, design patterns and architectural approaches create value, balancing immediate business needs with long‑term scalability and sustainability.

You'll engage with senior stakeholders across the business, providing clear, concise updates and building confidence in the direction of our smart operations strategy. You'll also bring external perspectives and innovation, helping us learn from leading organisations across retail, logistics, automation and connected environments.

What you’ll need:

• Experience working with smart building, automation, robotics, connected devices or IoT technologies.
• A strong understanding of software products and technology delivery.
• The ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• A natural curiosity for emerging technologies and a passion for learning.

Be part of our Technology Team at Whitbread

Through collaboration, passion and hiring the smartest minds, our Technology team builds products and services that are used by 38,000 of us at Whitbread and millions of guests. Everything from an eCommerce website that handles £2 billion in transactions per year, applications that are scalable across our 1,200 hotel and restaurants, devices that enable our teams and guests to have a seamless experience, all whilst keeping data secure. Together we’re building the hotel of the future.