Technical Lead - Hotel Operations

Whitbread PLC; Dunstable; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare: BUPA

Pension: 10% matched

Discounts: Premier Inn stays & Dining

Annual incentive: up to 30%

Job summary

Whitbread PLC is hiring a Technical Lead - Hotel Operations to shape the future of smart operations across the hotel estate. You will bridge technology and business, defining product vision across robotics, automation, connected devices and IoT to improve operational efficiency.

Hybrid role based at Whitbread Court, Dunstable with three days per week on-site, reporting to the Technology Team and collaborating with engineering, architecture and operations to deliver scalable, future-proof

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 a passion for learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product direction for smart building technologies, defining roadmaps and requirements.
• Translate technology decisions into clear business value and scalable solutions.
• Engage senior stakeholders with concise updates and strategic alignment.
• Bring external perspectives and innovations from leading organisations.
• Collaborate with engineering, architecture and operations to deliver value.

Skills

Smart building tech

Software delivery

Business language translation

Communication & storytelling

Curiosity for emerging tech

Job description

Here at Whitbread, we're looking for aTechnical 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: https://www.whitbreadcareers.com/about-us/benefits/

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.