Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging

Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging

Full-Time 155000 - 217000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Expedia, Inc.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive growth and enhance customer experience for Hotels & Vacation Rentals at Expedia.
  • Company: Join a leading travel company focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, travel perks, wellness reimbursements, and comprehensive health benefits.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of travel and make a real impact on millions of travellers.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in strategy or e-commerce; strong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills.

The predicted salary is between 155000 - 217000 £ per year.

Brand Expedia is seeking a Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging to drive the next chapter of growth and customer experience for our Hotels & Vacation Rentals business. You will own the strategy and P&L agenda for priority lodging initiatives, shaping how millions of travelers discover, book, and experience stays on Expedia. In this role, you will sit at the intersection of growth strategy, customer lifecycle, and traveler experience. This highly cross‑functional role partners closely with Marketing, Product, Supply, Servicing, Analytics, and Finance to identify the biggest opportunities, build the roadmap, and lead end‑to‑end execution from idea to scaled impact.

In this role, you will:

  • Set the strategic agenda for Expedia Lodging (Hotels & Vacation Rentals): define the ambition, key bets, and multi‑year roadmap that deliver profitable growth and a differentiated traveler experience.
  • Own a portfolio of high‑impact strategic initiatives across the traveler lifecycle: focus on step‑change improvements in conversion, repeat rate, customer satisfaction, and market share.
  • Lead cross‑functional programs end‑to‑end: frame the problem, size the opportunity, align stakeholders, stand up workstreams, and ensure on‑time, high‑quality execution across Marketing, Product, Supply, Servicing, Legal, and Finance.
  • Use data to drive decisions and understand customer needs: partner with Analytics and Data Science to build business cases, design A/B tests, measure impact, and continuously refine the strategy based on performance and customer insights.
  • Optimize commercial and operational levers: across pricing, promotions, merchandising, incentives, and service design to balance growth, margin, and customer experience, in order to ensure successful execution towards Expedia’s annual plan.
  • Shape the traveler and partner experience: identify friction points across the end‑to‑end journey (search to post‑trip), prioritize fixes and enhancements, and work with Product and Operations to deliver scalable solutions.
  • Drive change and organizational alignment: create clear narratives, materials, and playbooks that help teams understand the strategy, adopt new ways of working, and execute consistently across markets.
  • Collaborate with regional and local market teams: to ensure strategies and initiatives are localized, executable on the ground, and responsive to competitive dynamics.

Experience & Qualifications

  • 8+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6+ years with a Master’s degree.
  • Proven experience in strategy, marketplace/retail e‑commerce, advertising, or management consulting, including ownership of commercial outcomes.
  • Strong problem‑solving abilities with a demonstrated commitment to test‑and‑learn approaches and data‑driven decision‑making.
  • Experience working closely with Product, Marketing, Servicing, and Sales/Commercial teams; able to translate strategy into clear requirements and operational changes.
  • Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization and drive alignment across diverse teams.
  • Ability to craft compelling, insight‑driven narratives using data and communicate them clearly to a wide audience.
  • Comfort with ambiguity, demonstrated ability to scope, plan, and deliver strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
  • Developing subject‑matter expertise in key business topics, with the ability to translate insights into actionable plans.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience serving as a trusted advisor to leaders and cross‑functional partners on strategy, operational improvements, or business transformation.
  • Expertise conducting advanced data analyses, including building robust models and analytical frameworks to inform decisions.
  • Strong understanding of industry trends, performance metrics, and competitive landscapes.
  • Demonstrated ability to design new data‑collection methodologies and synthesize insights from diverse sources.
  • Proven ability to anticipate business needs, understand organizational dependencies, and navigate complex project environments.
  • Experience assessing financial impacts of change initiatives and supporting strategic investment decisions.

The total cash range for this position in Seattle is $155,000.00 to $217,000.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $248,000.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role. Starting pay for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including location, available budget, and an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience. Pay ranges may be modified in the future.

Expedia Group is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to support employees and their families, including medical/dental/vision, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program. To fuel each employee’s passion for travel, we offer a wellness & travel reimbursement, travel discounts, and an International Airlines Travel Agent (IATAN) membership.

If you need assistance with any part of the application or recruiting process due to a disability, or other physical or mental health conditions, please reach out to our Recruiting Accommodations Team through the Accommodation Request process. Expedia is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I‑9 to confirm work authorization.

Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging employer: Expedia, Inc.

Expedia is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the opportunity to drive impactful strategic initiatives in the thriving travel industry. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees benefit from comprehensive support including competitive compensation, wellness programmes, and travel perks, all while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a vibrant Seattle location. Join us to shape the future of travel and enhance customer experiences for millions around the globe.

Expedia, Inc.

Contact Details:

Expedia, Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at Expedia or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s culture and values. Dive into their recent projects and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're not just another candidate; you're genuinely interested!

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of your past successes and how they relate to the role. We want to hear how you've driven change and made an impact in previous positions.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It’s also a chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, Expedia Lodging

Strategic Planning
P&L Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Data-Driven Decision Making
Problem-Solving Skills
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategy and cross-functional collaboration, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Data Skills:Since data-driven decision-making is key for this position, don’t forget to include examples of how you've used data to drive strategic initiatives in your previous roles. We love seeing those analytical skills in action!

Craft a Compelling Narrative:When writing your cover letter, tell a story that connects your past experiences with the responsibilities of the role. We want to see how you can shape narratives and communicate insights clearly, just like we do at StudySmarter.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Expedia, Inc.

Know Your Numbers

As a Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to use data to drive decisions. Brush up on key metrics related to customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and market share. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to inform strategy and improve outcomes.

Craft Your Narrative

Prepare a compelling story that showcases your experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic initiatives. Use specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to influence stakeholders. Make sure your narrative aligns with the goals of Expedia Lodging and reflects an understanding of their business.

Understand the Customer Journey

Familiarise yourself with the end-to-end traveler experience, from search to post-trip. Think about potential friction points and be prepared to suggest enhancements. This will show your proactive approach to optimising customer experiences, which is crucial for this role.

Stay Current on Industry Trends

Research the latest trends in the lodging and travel industry, especially around e-commerce and customer experience. Being knowledgeable about competitive dynamics will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to Expedia's growth strategy.