Online Distribution Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
* Maintain and update ESA's hotel content (descriptions, photos, amenities, policies, room types, taxes, etc.) throughout the distribution network, including GDS, CRS, Online Travel Agencies, ESA's web site, and ADS.
* Maintain rate configurations within ESA's CRS, including rate plans, inventory, availability, restrictions, etc.
* Assist in the performance of all activities required for the corporate RFP season. This includes:
o Providing assistance for the sales team on Lanyon, negotiated rate loading requirements for Pegasus and other software products as required.
o Working with key contacts at Lanyon and Pegasus and work collaboratively with ESA Revenue Management and ESA IT department to ensure property information is correctly loaded into Lanyon and that we optimize the RFP/rate loading process using all the available resources.
* Assist in the rate loading process, includes ensuring that rates are loaded and accessible in all applicable distribution channels.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
* Maintain current understanding of how data flows from ESA's CRS to the distribution network and the impact of ESA rate structure in the CRS. Use this knowledge to ensure ESA objectives and goals are met when interacting with service providers.
* Responsible for maintaining CRS configuration setting and ensuring rate plans are accessible in the applicable channels throughout the distribution network.
* Coordinate all processes related to loading of corporate negotiated rates. Ensure all requests are handled efficiently while overseeing the process, testing, auditing, and communication throughout.
* Maintain and update ESA's hotel content (descriptions, photos, amenities, policies, room types, taxes, etc.) throughout the distribution network, including GDS, CRS, OTAs, ESA's web site, and ADS.
* Assist with the annual RFP and national partnership rate process. This includes but not limited to collecting and organizing the loading of all rates into both Lanyon and CRS, setting up the bids; sending the bid to sales; loading the rates into CRS; coordinating and tracking status on all data through the process and submitting it to the client and account owner.
* Develop and run reports to provide pertinent RFP and client data to internal customers.
* Assist in developing training and direction to all sales related to any rate loading and RFP processes. Provide follow-up assistance and RFP expertise as needed to internal customers. Participate in RFP Bidders Conference Calls to assist the Sales Team.
* Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of internal and external technology in order to initiate innovative ideas and creative approaches to increase the efficiency of the RFP process including a working knowledge of how the CRS, PMS and ESA website interact.
* Interact with Sales, Operations Management and Revenue Management personnel to help oversee all elements of job duties, e.g. Content Management, CRS Management, RFP processing, etc.

OTHER DUTIES
* May serve on special vendor/client or internal committees as requested and handle other special projects and assignments as directed.
* Analyze and recommend software enhancements for the RFP and reporting process.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & COMPETENCIES
* Experience with Central Reservation Systems, Content Management Systems, and Property Management Systems. Understanding of the hotel distribution environment is preferred.
* Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals as well as the ability to effectively present information verbally and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
* Strong analytical and mathematical skills. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Also, must have the ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
* Excellent software and reporting skills required; ability to set-up and run ad hoc reports to manipulate data and present in a meaningful way; ability to develop and analyze spreadsheets and data bases. Must possess strong computer skills and knowledge of word processing, ability to create or prepare reports, presentations, departmental documents, using MS word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel: create pivot tables, lookups, advance formulas, as well as import/export data and merge data.
* Strong analytical skills required. Ability to work independently is required. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work well under stress with numerous interruptions and deadlines. Accuracy and attention to detail required. Will need to work various nights and or weekends as needed to complete workload and project deadlines.
* Ability to define problems collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand or sit, and move about the facility. Employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on an infrequent, occasional basis.
* The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
* Must be able to travel by public transportation to include planes, trains and/or automobiles.
* The work environment characteristics are the usual office working conditions free of disagreeable elements.
* The conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A High School Diploma or GED is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Business School, Associate's degree or equivalent is a plus. A minimum of 2 -- 3 yeas related experience, preferably within the hospitality industry.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & COMPETENCIES

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals as well as the ability to effectively present information verbally and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Also, must have the ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Excellent software and reporting skills required; ability to set-up and run ad hoc reports to manipulate data and present in a meaningful way; ability to develop and analyze spreadsheets and data bases. Must possess strong computer skills and knowledge of word processing, ability to create or prepare reports, presentations, departmental documents, using MS word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel: create pivot tables, lookups, advance formulas, as well as import/export data and merge data.

Strong analytical skills required. Ability to work independently is required. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work well under stress with numerous interruptions and deadlines. Accuracy and attention to detail required. Will need to work various nights and or weekends as needed to complete workload and project deadlines.

Ability to define problems collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.