This position is eligible for full benefits (medical, dental & vision), 401K, paid vacation, discounted downtown parking, free employee meals, worldwide hotel discounts, restaurant discounts and more.
SUMMARY:
The Vice President, Technology & AI leads AHC Hospitality's technology strategy with a future-focused mandate: integrating artificial intelligence responsibly and practically into every part of the organization, from guest experience and revenue generation to operations, finance, and people processes. This leader sets the vision for how AI and modern technology will strengthen AHC's competitive position, efficiency, and service culture across our hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
At the same time, this role leads the technology and IT teams that support every property in the portfolio, owned and third-party managed, across Michigan, Florida, and the British Virgin Islands. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the VP ensures reliable, secure, brand-compliant systems at the property level while building the data foundation, governance, and organizational capability needed to scale AI with confidence. This position serves as a strategic partner to the VP/Managing Director and executive leadership.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
AI Strategy & Enterprise Integration
- Define and lead AHC's enterprise AI strategy and roadmap, identifying and prioritizing high-value use cases across guest experience, sales and marketing, revenue management, operations, food and beverage, finance, and human resources.
- Partner with executive and division leaders to redesign workflows around AI, moving initiatives from pilot to scaled, measurable adoption across properties and corporate functions.
- Evaluate, select, and implement AI tools and platforms, including generative AI, AI agents, predictive analytics, and automation, using a clear build-buy-partner approach.
- Establish metrics and ROI frameworks for AI and technology investments, reporting outcomes such as labor efficiency, revenue lift, guest satisfaction, and cost savings.
- Monitor emerging technologies and hospitality industry innovation to keep AHC ahead of guest expectations and competitive trends.
AI Governance, Data & Responsible Use
- Develop and maintain AHC's AI governance framework, including acceptable use policies, approval processes, risk assessment, and oversight of third-party AI vendors.
- Ensure the ethical, secure, and compliant use of AI and data, protecting guest and associate information and meeting privacy, payment card (PCI DSS), and brand data requirements.
- Build a unified data foundation, integrating data across property management, point of sale, sales and CRM, revenue, and HR systems to enable reliable analytics and AI.
- Partner with Human Resources, Legal, and leadership to address the people, policy, and compliance implications of AI adoption.
AI Literacy & Change Leadership
- Lead organization-wide AI literacy and upskilling, equipping leaders and associates at every level to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.
- Champion change management so technology adoption strengthens, rather than replaces, AHC's hospitality culture and personal guest service.
- Identify and develop AI champions within properties and departments to accelerate adoption and share best practices.
Portfolio-Wide Technology & IT Operations
- Lead, develop, and support the corporate and property-level IT teams serving all owned and managed hotels, resorts, and restaurants, establishing consistent service standards, support models, and escalation processes.
- Oversee IT infrastructure, networks, Wi-Fi, cloud services, and enterprise and hospitality applications, including PMS, POS, key card and door access, sales and catering, and back-office systems.
- Ensure compliance with brand technology standards and requirements (e.g., Marriott and Hilton) at branded properties.
- Lead technology onboarding and transitions for newly managed properties, conversions, pre-openings, and renovations, and support business development with technology assessments for prospective assets.
- Partner with General Managers and ownership groups of managed properties on technology plans, capital needs, and performance, ensuring transparency and alignment with management agreement obligations.
Cybersecurity, Risk & Continuity
- Lead AHC's cybersecurity program, including threat protection, access management, incident response, and associate security awareness, with attention to emerging AI-related risks.
- Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans for all properties, including hurricane and remote-location readiness for international resorts.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, data security standards, and IT governance policies.
Financial & Vendor Management
- Develop and manage the technology and AI budget, optimize costs, and drive return on investment, including cost allocation and reporting for managed properties where applicable.
- Establish and manage partnerships with technology vendors, AI providers, and service partners, leading contract negotiations and performance management.
- Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering innovation, accountability, and professional development.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Strategic vision for AI and digital transformation, with the ability to translate emerging technology into practical business outcomes.
- Hands-on understanding of AI capabilities and limitations, including generative AI, AI agents, machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation.
- Knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI practices, data privacy, and AI-related security risks.
- Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data architecture, integration, and enterprise applications.
- Working knowledge of hospitality systems, including PMS, POS, key card and door access, sales and catering, and revenue management platforms.
- Change leadership skills, with the ability to build AI literacy and drive adoption across diverse teams, from executives to front-line associates.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain complex technology clearly to non-technical audiences and ownership groups.
- Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a curious, adaptable, and collaborative approach.
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards related to IT and data security, including PCI DSS.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, with a track record of strategic planning and execution.
- Demonstrated experience leading AI, data, automation, or digital transformation initiatives from strategy through measurable adoption.
- Experience leading distributed or multi-site IT teams; multi-property hospitality experience strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting both owned and third-party managed properties, including working with ownership groups and brand technology standards, preferred.
- Experience with hospitality systems (PMS, POS, key card, door access) preferred.
- AI, cloud, or cybersecurity certifications are a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk and hear.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to work at a computer and participate in meetings for extended periods.
- Ability to travel regularly to properties, including overnight and international travel; a valid passport is required.
