Group Distribution & E-Commerce Manager

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Makkah Al Mukarramah; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in luxury hospitality seeks a Group Distribution & E-Commerce Manager to enhance distribution strategies across four iconic hotels. This role is pivotal in ensuring rate parity and optimizing channel performance, while collaborating with revenue management teams. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive experience in hotel distribution systems and data analysis to drive performance and deliver actionable insights. Join a dynamic environment where your contributions will shape the future of hospitality in one of the world's most revered locations.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Employee Discounts

Training and Development Programs

Flexible Working Hours

Qualifications

• 4+ years in hotel distribution or revenue management.
• Expertise in GDS, OTAs, and rate loading accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead distribution strategy implementation across multiple hotels.
• Audit and optimize distribution channels for accuracy.

Skills

Hotel Distribution Management

Revenue Management

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management or related field

Tools

Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

Online Travel Agents (OTAs)

Property Management Systems (PMS)

CVENT

Business Intelligence Tools

Job description

Company Description

Hotel Overview:

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, is located only a few steps away from the Masjid Al Haram and the Holy Ka’aba. This 76-story hotel, one of the world’s tallest, is the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project, and is the iconic symbol of hospitality in the Holy City. The hotel's authentic hospitality is seen throughout 1618 guest rooms and suites that are thoughtfully and elegantly appointed with extravagant amenities and five-star services that allow for peaceful reflection and repose.

Raffles Makkah Palace promises the exceptional standards inherent in the Raffles name and enhanced by Arab hospitality values. Raffles Makkah Palace offers 214 Suites & duplex Villas with breathtaking views of the Masjid Al Haram, the Holy Ka'aba, and the city. The hotel combines the best of local cuisine and international dishes in each of its four outlets, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere in this diving setting. Guests can also indulge and immerse themselves in a relaxing sensory experience in our world-renowned spa and fitness center or hold high-powered business gatherings in any of our state-of-the-art meeting rooms.

Swissôtel Makkah is Swissotel’s first hotel to open in Saudi Arabia. The hotel offers 1500 elegant rooms and suites with modern design, complementing the values of today’s Arab culture. As part of the prestigious Abraj Al Bait complex, the deluxe Swissotel Makkah is a contemporary five-star hotel located in close proximity to the holy Masjid Al Haraam, overlooking the Ka’aba and the Grand Mosque. Swissôtel Makkah is part of a new urban development, including two restaurants, one executive lounge, two meeting rooms, and a business center. It has private entrances that make it easier for pilgrims to reach Al Masjid Al Haram.

Swissôtel Al Maqam is Swissôtel’s second hotel to open in Saudi Arabia. The hotel offers 1624 elegant rooms and suites with modern design, complementing the values of today’s Arab culture. As part of the Abraj Al Bait complex, the deluxe Swissôtel Al Maqam is a contemporary five-star hotel located in close proximity to the Masjid Al Haraam, overlooking the Holy Ka’aba and the Grand Mosque. Swissôtel Al Maqam is part of a new urban development, including two restaurants, one executive lounge, two meeting rooms, and a business centre. It has private entrances that make it easier for our valuable guests to reach Al Masjid Al Haram.

Job Description

The Group Distribution & E-Commerce Manager will play a pivotal role in optimizing the distribution channels for four luxury and premium hotels, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, Raffles Makkah Palace, Swissotel Makkah, and Swissotel Al Maqam, all located within The Clock Towers, one of Saudi Arabia's leading landmarks and the world’s second most expensive building. This role focuses on driving the distribution strategy, ensuring rate parity and loading success, and collaborating closely with on-property revenue management teams to implement brand distribution strategies. The manager will ensure rate accuracy, content consistency, and connectivity across Global Distribution Systems (GDS), Online Travel Agents (OTAs), and direct booking platforms.

As Group Distribution & E-Commerce Manager, you will be reporting to the Commercial Director of FRS Makkah Complex.

Key Responsibilities

• Distribution Strategy and Rate Management:
• Lead the implementation of the brand distribution strategy across GDS, OTAs, and direct booking platforms in collaboration with on-property Revenue Management teams.
• Take ownership of the distribution strategy, ensuring rates, availability, and policies are accurately loaded and bookable across all channels.
• Verify that hotels are priced and bookable for the next 405 days across all distribution systems.
• Ensure meal plan packages (RLGENE) and upsell options in TARS are priced accurately for hotels using FLAG combined pricing.
• Collaboration with Accor Tech and Distribution Teams:
• Work closely with Accor Distribution Teams to manage content flows between systems such as TARS, CRS, and PMS, ensuring seamless connectivity.
• Partner with Accor Tech to resolve rate loading issues and troubleshoot connectivity problems across platforms.
• Collaborate with the central distribution team to ensure taxes in TARS match those in Lanyon (CVENT) and that rate levels in Dataweb are correctly assigned to revenue management levels.
• Oversee the management of tools such as ANAIS, CVENT, and other Accor sales platforms, ensuring smooth functionality and updates.
• Audit and Optimization of Distribution Channels:
• Conduct regular audits to ensure rate and content accuracy across all distribution platforms, including GDS and OTA channels.
• Monitor and improve the Distribution Health Score, identifying and addressing rate and content violations.
• Conduct test reservations to identify discrepancies in rate loading, connectivity, and channel performance, escalating issues to Account Managers or Accor Distribution Teams when necessary.
• Ensure rate parity across all distribution channels and address discrepancies in collaboration with third-party partners.
• Data and Performance Analysis:
• Use tools like the BI Hub Channel Dashboard to track key performance metrics, including bookings, revenue, and rate availability.
• Provide actionable insights to Revenue Management and senior leadership based on data analysis to optimize property performance.
• Regularly monitor distribution costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction or efficiency improvements.
• Ensure accurate reporting and consolidation of production data for all distribution channels, highlighting opportunities for growth.
• Partner Relations & Contract Management:
• Manage relationships with OTA and GDS partners, ensuring optimal positioning and visibility for all properties.
• Work with Accor’s corporate team to ensure smooth connectivity to tools such as ANAIS, CVENT, and other sales platforms.
• Initiate and manage GDS campaigns to ensure maximum visibility on business travel platforms and TMCs.
• Reporting and Performance Analysis:
• Consolidate monthly production reports for all consortia and distribution channels, identifying key opportunities for optimization.
• Create detailed performance reports across all distribution channels, providing insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Use data-driven insights to optimize distribution strategies and increase revenue across all properties.
• System Management and Technical Knowledge:
• Ensure seamless functionality of PMS and TARS connectivity, including expertise in OXI features and interface setups.
• Maintain alignment between TARS and OTA extranets, ensuring content and rate consistency.
• Oversee the integration and proper usage of RESA Web, ensuring a minimum 75% YTD contribution for direct bookings.
• Utilize rate shopping tools to monitor and adjust competitive positioning across all distribution channels.

Qualifications

Key Qualifications:

• Experience:
• 4+ years of experience in hotel distribution and/or revenue management in a centralized role.
• Deep understanding of hotel distribution systems, including GDS, OTAs, CRS, and PMS.
• Proven experience working closely with revenue management teams to implement and manage distribution strategies.
• Demonstrated success in managing rate loading accuracy and ensuring content parity across channels.
• Experience collaborating with Accor Tech, distribution partners, and on-property teams to drive performance.
• Skills:
• Expert understanding of hotel tech and distribution landscapes, including GDS and OTA platforms, revenue management systems, CRS/PMS functionality, and connectivity.
• Strong data analysis skills to track performance metrics and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with peers across different departments and functions.
• Ability to manage distribution setup and rate loading for properties, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with brand standards.

Personal Attributes

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complex distribution and connectivity issues.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to address rate parity challenges and connectivity discrepancies across platforms.
• Results-driven, focused on optimizing rate loading and ensuring the highest level of accuracy across distribution channels.

Additional Information

Our Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/ Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS