Senior Manager, Business Applications and Data Management

Corporate Overview:

Founded in 1985, First Hospitality is a nationally recognized hotel management company providing management, acquisition, development, and receivership services to various hotels. Our portfolio includes more than 55 properties and 16 major hotel brands, including Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt. Headquartered in the Chicago area, we concentrate our business prospects in key markets in the Midwest – spanning our business in major cities across 13 states.

Our Company dedicates to putting people first. First's solid and engaging culture creates a high-level experience for associates and guests alike. We look for super service stars to join our team and support our commitment to excellence.

What’s in it for you…

• Insurance enrollment available from DAY 1!
• Paid time off available from DAY 1!
• Holiday pay available from DAY 1!
• 401(k) enrollment after 30 days!
• Hotel and travel discounts at worldwide destinations!
• Professional development and promotion opportunities!

What you will be doing

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager specializing in Data Management and Process Automation to lead our technology initiatives in the hospitality management sector. This pivotal role will oversee data assets, implement automation solutions, and optimize financial and business applications critical to our corporate operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the successful candidate will drive efficiency, innovation, and strategic alignment across our IT landscape.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Hotel IT Responsibilities:

• Work with internal and outsourced IT leadership to understand and maintain the strategies and solutions for all IT functions.
• Develop and implement data management strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure the integrity, security, and accessibility of corporate data assets.
• Lead efforts to collect, store, and organize data from various sources, including enterprise systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and market research databases.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define data governance frameworks, establish data quality standards, and implement data integration solutions to support decision-making and reporting needs.
• Develop and maintain reporting solutions and dashboards within business applications to facilitate data-driven decision-making and operational performance monitoring.
• Conduct data analysis and interpretation to extract actionable insights, trends, and patterns that inform strategic initiatives and business optimization efforts.
• Identify process automation and workflow optimization opportunities across corporate functions, including accounting, finance, people services, and marketing.
• Drive the design, development, and implementation of automation solutions using tools such as robotic process automation (RPA), workflow management systems, and custom scripting.
• Streamline business processes, reduce manual tasks, and improve productivity through automation initiatives while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal controls.
• Manage and support corporate financial systems, business intelligence tools, and enterprise applications for budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with finance, accounting, and business teams to optimize financial and business application performance, usability, and integration with other systems and processes.
• Provide technical expertise and support for troubleshooting, configuring, and enhancing corporate applications to meet evolving business requirements and industry standards.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the IT department and across corporate functions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize IT projects, allocate resources effectively, and align corporate goals and objectives.

Corporate IT Responsibilities:

• Work with internal and outsourced IT leadership to understand and maintain the strategies and solutions for all IT functions.
• Work with internal and outsourced IT leadership to ensure all IT functions deliver at an acceptable level of quality
• Participate in vendor management activities for all IT vendors
• Participate in IT budgeting and expense approval and tracking
• Address assigned and escalate support tickets
• Adhere to and participate in change management activities
• Adhere to and participate in incident management activities and communications.
• Communicate and partner with members of other departments to ensure IT is positioned to provide secure and effective technology solutions.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Chief Technology Officer

The ideal candidate for this position

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, CISA) preferred.
• 10 years of progressive experience in corporate IT management, focusing on data management, process automation, and financial applications, preferably in the hospitality industry.
• Azure Data Services: Extensive experience with Azure data components such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, Azure SQL Database, and Azure Databricks.
• Power BI: Proficiency in Power BI for data visualization and business intelligence solutions. Ability to design, develop, and deploy Power BI dashboards and reports.
• Microsoft Power Platform: Experience with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents to enhance business processes through automation and customized applications.
• Excel Advanced Features: Expert-level skills in using Excel for complex data analysis, including advanced formulas, VBA scripting, and Power Query for data transformation. Proven leadership skills with experience in team management, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into business terms and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical thinker with a track record of driving innovation, implementing best practices, and delivering measurable business value through technology solutions.

First Hospitality Group seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to meet better the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. FHG fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER