Director, Technology Project Management

Company Overview
Furnished Quarters, a privately owned LGBTQ+ diverse, is a unique player in the short-term housing industry, boasting over 25 years of experience in alternative accommodations. As one of the largest independently owned companies, we offer diverse housing options for business and leisure travelers, setting us apart from the competition.  Our commitment to providing an exceptional assortment of inventory and best-in-class service ensures our guests enjoy an elevated home-away-from-home experience.

Company Culture
At Furnished Quarters, we sit at the exciting intersection of travel, hospitality, real estate, lifestyle, and design.  Our five Core Values are Challenge, Collaboration, Care, Career, and Community.  We thrive on interesting challenges, celebrate collaboration, and deeply care about people, diversity, and inclusion as a certified LGBTQ+-owned business. We support every employee in their career growth and development and foster a community where people feel comfortable being themselves and finding fulfillment in their work.  Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just encouraged but prescribed.  Here, every person can define their own processes and work in an entrepreneurial environment where every voice is important.  Work with us and find out what it means to #StayDifferent.

Job Purpose
As a Director of Project Management, your role at Furnished Quarters will be pivotal in linking our product development and project execution strategies. You will lead the strategic vision for our software products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market demands. This role offers a chance to convert strategic visions into comprehensive project plans, oversee the entire project lifecycle from start to finish, and substantially impact our business.

Your responsibilities will include market analysis, defining product and project requirements, and steering the design and development processes in collaboration with cross-functional teams. You will ensure projects are delivered on time and uphold high-quality standards.

Working closely with various stakeholders, you will adapt agile and traditional project management methods to optimize product delivery and project outcomes, fostering innovation and operational excellence that drive business growth.
Stakeholder Management

• Facilitate regular stakeholder meetings to ensure alignment and address concerns throughout the product and project lifecycles.
• Build and maintain relationships with all department heads, external partners, and vendors to ensure project success.

User Experience and Feedback

• Integrate user experience research and feedback into product development processes to ensure products meet user needs and expectations.
• Implement mechanisms to gather continuous end-user feedback, utilizing this data to inform future product enhancements.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all product developments and project activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, implementing rigorous testing phases to mitigate risks before product launches.

Training and Development

• Develop training materials and programs for internal teams to ensure the smooth adoption and operation of new systems and technologies.
• Mentor and support team members, encouraging continuous learning and professional growth within the Technology Team.

Change Management

• Lead change management initiatives associated with product and project deliveries, ensuring changes are smoothly and successfully implemented.
• Prepare change management strategies and plans that include communication, training, and support components.

Performance Metrics and Reporting

• Establish and monitor performance metrics for both products and project deliverables to assess their success and areas for improvement.
• Prepare detailed reports on the progress, outcomes, and ROI of projects and product initiatives for executive review.

Team Management

• Champion Furnished Quarters' core values, mission, and vision in all interactions with team members, partners, and stakeholders, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and accountability within the Technology Team.
• Oversee the work assignments of direct reports, including software developers, product designers, and project coordinators. Motivate and guide the team to achieve exceptional performance and meet project and product milestones.
• Facilitate the onboarding process for new team members, ensuring they understand Furnished Quarters' technology practices, company culture, and strategic objectives. Develop and implement training programs to enhance team capabilities and alignment with industry standards.
• Participate in the interview process for technology positions within the team. Evaluate candidate skills and fit, making recommendations to ensure high-quality additions to the team.
• Conduct regular one-on-one review meetings and staff development sessions to discuss performance, set goals, and provide feedback. Foster professional growth and continuous improvement through constructive critique and personalized development plans.
• Approve paid time off and manage timecards for team members. Ensure that all administrative tasks are handled promptly and per company policies.
• Provide direction and time management support to ensure projects are completed on schedule. Reallocate resources and adjust priorities as necessary to anticipate and resolve bottlenecks.

The Senior Manager, Product Operations will be evaluated on their ability to meet or exceed established KPI metrics, demonstrating a results-driven approach and a strong commitment to our technology objectives:
 

• On-time project delivery success rate of 95% or higher.
• Reduction in product development cycle time by 15% or more.
• Product defect rates reduced by 20% or more.
• Conduct all bi-monthly one-on-one reviews with team members on schedule, with documented follow-ups and action plans.
• Ensure 100% completion of HR-related training for the team by required deadlines.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• At least 7 years of professional experience, with at least three years in a leadership role managing product development and project execution. Experience in the technology sector is crucial.
• Strong knowledge of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices. Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Agile methodologies (CSM, PMI-ACP) is highly desired.
• A thorough understanding of software development processes and methodologies. Experience with project management software (like JIRA and Asana) and CRM platforms is expected.
• Demonstrated ability to perform sophisticated market analysis and competitive research to inform strategic decisions.
• Experience developing and managing significant budgets, with a proven track record of maximizing resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential. Must be capable of effectively negotiating and resolving conflicts while maintaining important relationships.
• Strong leadership skills with a history of mentoring and developing high-performing teams. Ability to inspire and motivate in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Must be flexible and capable of managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and varying scopes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate issues and devise effective solutions promptly.

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.  

The employee must have clarity of vision at approximately 20 inches or less (i.e., working with small objects or reading small print), including using computers.

The employee must frequently enter text or data into a computer or other machine utilizing a traditional
keyboard.Furnished Quarters is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
 Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.