Systems Implementation Lead - Chief Information Officer

About the Role

Smart Suites is a short-term accommodation and property management business in the middle of a significant technology transformation. We are looking for one person to own it - from where it stands today through to completion, and far beyond.

This role is structured in two phases, and both matter equally.

Phase 1 - Systems Implementation. You walk into an implementation already in progress and take full ownership of it. The stack is Mews PMS, Akia guest experience platform, and SiteMinder channel manager, all integrated with Zoho Books and CRM. You assess where things stand, build the project plan, manage the integration vendor, own the architecture, and drive everything to go-live. A second stage involving a cleaning and rostering platform follows immediately after.

Phase 2 - Chief Information Officer. Once the implementation is stable, you transition into the permanent technology leadership role for Smart Suites. You own the full technology stack, lead AI deployment across every business function, drive continuous improvement of systems and automation, and are the person senior leadership turns to for every technology decision. This is not a role that ends at go-live.

We are not looking for someone who oversees and delegates. We are looking for someone who gets their hands dirty in Phase 1 and has the strategic thinking to lead the technology agenda in Phase 2. If that is you, read on.

What You Will Be Doing

Phase 1 - Systems Implementation Lead

• Take full ownership of the Mews, Akia, and SiteMinder implementation and drive it to go-live
• Assess current implementation status, gaps, and risks within 30 days and deliver a revised project plan to senior leadership
• Complete the integration architecture between all platforms and Zoho Books and CRM
• Take over and manage the relationship with the integration vendor - hold them accountable to delivery
• Manage all platform vendor relationships throughout the implementation
• Ensure data integrity and process alignment at every phase
• Own the go-live plan including testing, user acceptance testing and training, cutover, and post-launch stabilisation
• Work with senior leadership to understand Smart Suites operations and configure systems to match how the business actually works
• Evaluate, select, and lead the implementation of the Stage 2 cleaning and rostering platform

Phase 2 - Chief Information Officer

• Take full ownership of the Smart Suites technology stack post go-live
• Lead AI deployment across all business functions - identify the opportunities, choose the tools, implement and embed them into operations
• Drive continuous improvement of systems, integrations, and automation as the business scales
• Develop and maintain a technology roadmap aligned to business priorities
• Own all technology vendor relationships and the technology asset register
• Provide senior leadership with clear, evidence-based technology recommendations
• Build internal documentation and governance so technology knowledge is never concentrated in one person
• Report regularly to senior leadership on technology health, risks, and strategic direction

What We Are Looking For (Requirement and Why it matters)

• Hands-on experience leading a PMS, ERP, or equivalent SaaS platform implementation end-to-end - The implementation is mid-flight - we need someone who has done this before, not someone figuring it out as they go.
• Experience designing and managing integrations between multiple SaaS platforms - Five platforms, seven integration points - this requires genuine integration thinking, not just platform configuration.
• Project management capability - you build the plan and own it - There is no project plan currently - the incoming person creates it from scratch and is accountable for it.
• Understanding of hospitality or short-term accommodation operations - Systems must be configured to match how the business actually operates - operational blind spots produce systems that fail in practice.
• Proven ability to work autonomously without close supervision in a remote environment - No technology team around you - you self-direct and make decisions independently.
• Clear communication with non-technical senior stakeholders - Leadership needs to understand what is happening and why - in plain language, without prompting.
• Genuine interest in AI tools and their application in business operations - Phase 2 is AI deployment across the business - this cannot be an afterthought for the person in this role.
• Ownership mindset - you finish what you start - This project has been started - the business needs someone who sees it through and keeps going after go-live

Strongly Preferred

• Direct experience with Mews PMS, Akia, or SiteMinder
• Zoho ecosystem experience - Zoho One, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Flow, or related modules
• Experience managing a third-party integration vendor as part of a project delivery
• Background in short-term accommodation, serviced apartments, or hospitality technology
• API-based SaaS integration experience
• Prior experience as a technology lead, IT Director, or CIO in an SME environment
• Familiarity with cleaning and rostering platforms such as Deputy, Tidy, or equivalen

Technical Skills ( Skill area - Expected level)

• PMS or SaaS platform implementation (any major platform) Proficient to expert
• Mews PMS / Akia / SiteMinder - Functional minimum; proficient to expert preferred
• Zoho ecosystem (Books, CRM, Flow, One) - Functional to proficient
• System integration design and management - Expert
• API and SaaS integration management - Proficient
• Project management methodology - Proficient
• Vendor management - Proficient
• AI tools and deployment - Functional to proficient
• Cleaning and rostering platforms - Functional
• Technical documentation - Proficient

What This Role Is Not

This is not an IT support role. It is not a project coordinator who manages tasks handed to them by someone else. It is not a short-term implementation contract that wraps up at go-live.

It is also not a pure CIO role where implementation is someone else's problem. Phase 1 requires hands-on ownership of the project - you will be in the systems, managing the vendor, and making configuration decisions. If you are looking for a role where you set direction and others execute, this is not the right fit.

Working Conditions

• Location : Fully remote based in the Philippines (must be a Filipino citizen)
• Engagement : Independent contractor - all-in rate
• Rate: Up to AUD $4,000 per month
• Hours: Aligned to Australian business hours; flexibility required for cross-timezone coordination
• Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoho ecosystem, Hubstaff (time tracking)
• Start: Immediate