Divisional Finance Director

Divisional Finance Director

Apply remote type Hybrid locations London - UK time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id JR08951

About Us:

Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first. We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide.

In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence.

With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions.

Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.

Hospitality Overview

Hotels are at the forefront in a world where digital and physical experiences are coming together. Planet is excited about helping hotels help their staff and customers towards frictionless processes and experiences, with payment right in the middle.

Our Hospitality team comprises over 200 employees globally, and with the acquisition of Protel PMS, Hoist groups as well as Avantio, we are just getting started to provide a real feel-good, connected experience at the world's most well-known hotels.

Role Overview

The Director of Commercial and Pricing Strategy will own and manage the execution of our comprehensive software commercial and pricing strategy. This role involves close collaboration with Commercial, Operational, and Finance teams to set and adjust front-book prices annually, execute annual back-book price adjustments, and lead specific pricing transformation programs. The primary objective is to enhance Planet's Hospitality software margins while maintaining low customer churn.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Set and communicate the overarching software pricing strategy for Planet's Hospitality Software business, with a particular focus on the Property Management Software (PMS) segment.
• Market and Channel Strategies: Develop and implement market-specific and channel-specific pricing strategies.
• Competitive Analysis: Regularly review competitor price points and commercial packages, leveraging market intelligence to adjust Planet's pricing approaches as necessary.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with customers, partners, colleagues, and industry bodies on Planet's pricing strategies, incorporating feedback to refine approaches.
• Financial Modeling: Analyze and model existing customer price points to identify trends and opportunities for margin improvement.
• Innovative Pricing Solutions: Develop and introduce pricing innovations, including new commercial packages or bundles, to enhance customer value and increase Customer Lifetime Value (CLV).
• Operational Execution: Collaborate with Operations and Billing teams to implement price changes efficiently.
• Financial Impact Tracking: Work closely with Finance and Billing teams to monitor the impact of pricing changes, ensuring anticipated EBITDA impacts are realized.
• Annual Review Process: Establish a sustainable, annual process for reviewing and adjusting software prices in line with inflation or other relevant factors.
• Training and Communication: Create and deliver training materials for sales teams to ensure comprehensive understanding of software pricing.
• Customer-Facing Materials: Develop customer-facing materials in collaboration with Marketing to support successful pricing conversations.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Extensive Experience: 5+ years in a senior SaaS pricing role, preferably within the hospitality sector.
• Strategic Expertise: Proven experience in developing and executing comprehensive pricing strategies.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering complex pricing projects across multiple functions and product lines.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent stakeholder management skills with a strong executive presence.
• Analytical Skills: Robust data analytics background with the ability to model complex customer databases and revenue interdependencies.
• Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of P&L management, including the ability to drive EBITDA improvements through strategic pricing initiatives.
• Innovative Thinking: Ability to develop creative pricing solutions that balance customer value with business profitability.

Why Planet

Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast-paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce.

We would love to hear from you - Apply now.