Strategic Planning Director - AZ Hybrid

Best Western; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in hospitality is seeking a Strategic Planning Director to lead strategic initiatives and drive cross-functional collaboration. This role requires a strategic mindset and strong project management skills to support senior leadership in achieving operational excellence. Join a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration, and be part of shaping the future of travel experiences. The position offers a vibrant work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development, making a meaningful impact in the hospitality sector.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Vacation/Sick leave accruals

Paid company holidays

401K with company contribution

Employee discounts

Free financial wellness programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in strategic planning or management consulting.
• Strong skills in developing and managing project plans and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Manage strategic projects from ideation to implementation.

Skills

Strategic Mindset

Project Management Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Proficiency in Excel

Proficiency in PowerPoint

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or economics

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Join BWH Hotels - Where Passion Meets Purpose

At BWH Hotels, we don't just offer employment opportunities, we create opportunities to be part of something extraordinary. As a global leader in hospitality for nearly 80 years, our vision is to inspire travel through unique experiences. Joining our corporate team means becoming part of a dynamic and inclusive community that values innovation, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact in the travel industry.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, BWH Hotels boasts a powerful portfolio of 18 brands, including WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, with approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries. We take pride in our top-ranking employee engagement scores and foster a workplace culture where your contributions truly matter. Join us and be part of a team that's shaping the future of hospitality!

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a strategic, analytical and collaborative self-starter to join our team as a Strategic Planning Director. In this role, you will lead strategic planning, drive cross-functional alignment and translate business insights into actionable plans that fuel growth and operational excellence. This role operates both strategically and tactically, working with senior leaders and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Executive Collaboration - Prepare for and support key stakeholders (e.g., Board of Directors, Senior leadership, International Leadership, and hoteliers) in connection with various internal and hotel owner-facing meetings, conferences, and touchpoints as part of the strategic planning process and moving the organization toward our strategic vision.

• Develop and/or coordinate agendas and pre-read materials. Conduct analysis, research and proactively coordinate and align teams and materials.
• Synthesize and organize meeting output and discussion as inputs into strategic plans. Align with teams on execution and progress in subsequent cycles.

2. Cross-Functional Partnership and Support - Partner with Senior leadership, project teams and others to help deliver strategic deliverables and drive team and cross-functional collaboration.

• Manage and oversee the Global Strategic Business Plan.
• Oversee and/or conduct various global and domestic surveys and other quantitative and qualitative research and analyses.
• Support leadership with the creation and/or delivery of presentations to internal and external audiences.
• Lead cross-functional collaborative meetings, facilitate robust discussion and provide as-needed support.

3. Project Management - Manage strategic projects from ideation, planning, execution and implementation.

• Coordinate with stakeholders to define project objectives and scope. Plan deliverables, activities and timelines with project team. Track and communicate status to relevant stakeholders.
• Act as a liaison between project teams, cross-functional departments and leadership to ensure alignment on deliverables and timelines.
• Define and track KPIs to measure project success.

4. Business Analysis - Leverage data, conduct analysis to identify opportunities and risks and incorporate relevant insights into strategic plans and topics.

• Synthesize data into insights and strategic recommendations.
• Develop models and conduct scenario analyses to support strategic initiatives.
• Continually identify, investigate, socialize and implement continuous improvement and value-add opportunities.
  

Preferred Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or related fields; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in strategic planning, management consulting, project management, and/or corporate strategy.
• Travel or hotel industry experience is a plus.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic Mindset.
• Strong Organizational and Project Management Skills.
• Self-Directed and Proactive.
• Strong skills in developing and managing project plans and budgets, using project management tools.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and MS Office tools.

Work Environment:

• This role is office-based at our Phoenix AZ headquarters located at 6201 N 24th Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Occasional hybrid schedule permitted and occasional travel for meetings and stakeholder engagement is required.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Benefits Summary for Full-Time Employees

· Medical/Dental/Vision available day one

·Vacation/Sick- accruals start day one

·Paid company holidays and personal holidays to celebrate what’s important to you

·401K - company contribution and match (U.S.)

·Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) - company contribution and match (Canada)

·Employee discounts/hotel discounts

·Free financial and health wellness programs

·Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity

BWH Hotels (the "Company")maintains a policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race (including hair textures and hair styles associated with race), color or pigmentation, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, caste, age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, LGBTQIA+ individuals, height, weight, pregnancy status, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, uniformed service or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local laws. The Company’s equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment with the Company, including, but not limited to, hiring, promotion, transfer, benefits, discipline, and termination.