Digital/E-Commerce Marketing Coordinator job, Cape Town, Sea Point

Job description

The E-Commerce Executive will execute Protea Hotels corporate e-commerce strategy at the hotel level, and ensure that individual hotels are aligning with corporate e-commerce strategies and e-activating their electronic channels (Marriott.com, Proteahotels.com, multi-lingual global sites, e-channels, wholesalers with “e” presence, search engines, and other e-marketing vehicles) to maximise online revenue and profitability.  This role will also provide local market insights and recommendations via the e-commerce manager. The role reports directly to the e-commerce manager.

Business context

E-Commerce is the fastest-growing line of business at Marriott. Revenue through online channels (M.com, OTAs, GDSs) has grown significantly accounting for over 40% of Marriott’s worldwide 2013 gross sales, and growing.  Meanwhile, online revenue growth in international markets is expected to grow with company’s focus on International expansion. Hotels have an opportunity and obligation to grow their visibility online and fully activate all the approved online tools available to them in order to increase revenue and roomnights at lower cost. The ultimate success of Marriott’s digital strategy is now critically dependent upon knowledgeable, well-trained and fully-aligned e-commerce associates in the field, working in close collaboration with Corporate and the Regions, to execute them.  Many of these programmes require substantial hotel support, education, action, and “pull-through” to be successful. This is the role of the e-commerce executive. Specifically, this position will work with hotels to ensure they are fully activated online.

Company Description

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. We believe a great career is a journey of discovery and exploration. So, we ask, where will your journey take you?

Requirements

Candidate profile

Experience 

• Sufficient understanding of traditional and online marketing
• One+ years of Internet experience
• Ideal candidate will have hotel property experience, hotel field marketing experience, or equivalent.   

Skills and Knowledge

• Detail oriented, with demonstrated track record of follow-through and delivery
• Overall knowledge of agreement terms with Protea/Marriott’s electronic partners
• Strong account management skills
• Able to work independently and prioritize objectively
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize  
• Knowledge of operations and back end processes
• Knowledge of all Protea Hotel brands and differentiating factors
• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks and projects
• Demonstrates self confidence, energy and enthusiasm
• Exceptional teamwork
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Motivated self-starter
• Good people skills
• Ability to track promotions and provide reports
• Photo Shop, HTML, Microsoft Office software applications desired 

Education or Certification

• Degree in hospitality management, marketing, technology, or business preferred OR equivalent market/job experience 

Business results 

Balanced Scorecard Results:  Implements strategies and executes activities to drive financial result by measuring and room night growth

• Sales and Marketing:  Focuses on growing hotel top line online revenue by executing against the eCommerce strategy.  Implements on-line e-activation programs in all segments to maximize revenue.
• Achieves individual goals and contributes to team goals.  Supports Marriott’s focus on “bias on booking direct” strategic direction.

Technical expertise (Learning and applying personal expertise) 

The following are specific responsibilities and contributions critical to the successful performance of the position.  These are based on regional role and responsibilites of eCommerce discipline (based on RACI Matrix), completion of e-commerce Evaluation Tool (EET) and 230+ tasks of the eCommerce Action Plan (EAP).

 Serve as the e-commerce lead and execute Protea Hotels’ e-commerce strategy for a set portfolio of hotels:    

• Report directly to the e-commerce Manager
• Advise hotels on appropriate on-strategy e-commerce priorities and tactics
• Work with the e-commerce Manager to: 
  • Set reasonable ecommerce goals for their hotel portfolio, review progress periodically, and troubleshoot performance issues
  • Identify hotel-specific online needs
  • Suggest budgets for the hotels for eCommerce activities

Ensure that all hotels within the set portfolio are fully activated on Marriott.com and its in-language global sites by: 

• Implementing and managing the Hotel Web Sites on Marriott.com and its global sites 
  • Maintain and update all Marriott.com Hotel Web Site content including marketing messaging, imagery, captions, links, PDFs, hotel alerts, etc.
  • Conduct regular audits of Marriott.com Hotel Web Sites to ensure each hotel is optimized for high quality custom images, content, links, and accurate translations, and work with hotels on corrective action
  • Serve as the EPIC administrator for the hotels
  • Guide hotels in developing hotel website modules for Spa, Golf, F&B and weddings, where applicable
  • Manage the pull-through and activation of key corporate eCommerce projects (e.g., new Marriott.com Hotel Web Sites, new field SEO service, and similar corporate “e” services) 
• Marketing the Marriott.com Hotel Web Sites 
  • Assure that hotel websites on Marriott.com and global sites are fully optimized to maximize traffic from search engines.  Work with Marriott Digital Services to coordinate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics and manage the pay-per-click keyword strategy.
  • Work with hotels and regional marketing leaders to execute online marketing activities, such as loading Marriott.com Hotel Web Site deals, eMail marketing and affiliate marketing.  Responsible for landing page creation, approval of offer copy and images.
  • Responsible for offer pull-through on OTA (when needed).  Work with partners for campaign optimization
  • Coordinate execution of online marketing efforts through approved agencies/vendors.
  • Responsible for compiling non-rate code results from the OTAs (impressions, visits).  
• Reporting 
  • Provide tracking, analysis, and reporting on the effectiveness of all e-programs: promotions, PPC, SEO, e-mail, listings, links, banners, etc.
  • Provide reports such as ECM1, Evaluation Tool, Dashboard, OTA campaign performance (rate code-campaigns) etc. and take corrective action, as appropriate.
  • Critique the reports and provide recommendations to the stakeholders 
• Where appropriate, make a business case to regional Directors of eCommerce to justify new features or functionality on M.com and its global sites that would be critical to serve local markets. 
• Ensure that all web sites, content, collateral, tactics, etc., for all hotels within the portfolio comply with Marriott’s Internet Brand Standards and Policies.  Monitor for off-strategy web tactics and programs, and take appropriate action either directly or in collaboration with area, region, and/or corporate leadership.

Verify that all hotels within the defined portfolio are fully activating and optimizing their presence on approved Internet eChannels and wholesalers/tour operators with an “e” presence: 

• Ensure that all hotels are participating in approved echannels and wholesalers
• Regularly audit content, images, reviews and star ratings on echannels/wholesalers, and work with hotels to make appropriate corrections
• Work with Distribution Manager to define and execute the hotel echannel merchandising plan
• Explore with eChannel partners merchandizing opportunities on their site.  Inform hotels of these opportunity
• Execute hotels eChannel marketing tactics
• Collaborate with hotel Revenue Leaders and audit hotel performance on eChannels
• NOTE:  This position is not responsible for developing new eChannel partners for the cluster/market.  This is the responsibility of the region-level Global eChannel Lead in Corporate HQ

Employ e-marketing strategies and tactics to drive revenue for hotels, including: 

• Use search engine optimisation, paid search, email marketing, and other online marketing tactics to increase penetration with target customers
• Collaborate closely with the hotel marketing teams to execute/pull through online brand marketing strategies and plans for the hotel.

E-Commerce Communication, Training, and Education: 

• Use the eCommerce Resource guide, training energizers and MGS for training and field support
• Train and educate cluster and/or hotel-level managers on how to e-activate their hotels 
• With the help of Corporate GES team, deliver e-commerce training, presentations, and workshops to region, cluster and hotel-level associates and management. 
• Serve as cluster-level point-person for Marriott’s e-commerce Strategy.  Cultivate relationships and communicate with MPCs, Revenue Managers, GMs, etc., to raise their awareness, understanding, and motivation to e-activate their hotels. 
• Utilise e-commerce “EVOLVE” as a vehicle to communicate to the stakeholders regularly

General – Transitional 

• Maintenance and upkeep of the proteahotels.com platform to align with Protea Hotels and Marriott acquisition goals in South Africa
• Maintenance and upkeep of the Prokard.co.za platform to align with Protea Hotels Loyalty programme and the Marriott Rewards offering in Southern Africa
• Assisting hotels within the portfolio with local domestic leisure third party promotions and activities. This includes loyalty programmes

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Marriott International does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.

Posted on 21 Jun 10:34