VP of Product

• Oct 2022 - Present

Leadership, Executive & Personal Coach | Owner

• Sep 2019 - Present

Leadership, Executive & Personal Coach Leadership, Executive & Personal Coach

Head of Product

• Jun 2018 - Apr 2019

Head of Product (Contract)

• Oct 2017 - May 2018

My role involves managing, supporting and coaching the Product team to deliver product features with a focus on growth and industry leading software. I work closely with our core teams including Marketing, Finance, BI, Operations and Technology to gather their requirements and manage expectations in terms of possibilities within the Product and available capacity. Another strand to my role is working with our C-team to prioritise deliverables and ensure we are delivering value to the customer. It is a fast paced environment that requires both product and technology teams to take a transparent, pragmatic approach to our work. Together, we have introduced a number of processes to support this approach, including but not limited to; a weekly prioritisation process with C-team using a value / effort matrix, JIRA for task management and round robin support role to ensure we are developing the technology teams skill-set to reduce risk and share the knowledge. My role requires me to be adaptable and understand multiple functions in the business, while taking a customer first approach where commercially viable. Show less

Head of Product & Design

• Oct 2014 - Sep 2017

A new adventure full of new experiences and challenges. Ding ensures that I am pushed outside of my comfort zone, while making the most of my experience to date. Part of the core management team, our responsibilities are focused on growth of our B2C business, we have consistently achieved >20% growth YoY. Working closely with the BI team, Marketing, Technology and Operations we are constantly pushing the boundaries and continue to be the market leader in the international top-up space, with over 300 operator connections in 130 countries. Managing the Product team and UI / UX designers, my role involves - people management, mentoring, career development for my team, coaching, product strategy with a customer focus, budgets, setting and achieving objectives and targets, internal reporting, board reports, analytics, driving excellent customer experience alongside our UX designer, best in class products across native apps and responsive web, prioritisation, change management and developing and executing the road-map with a commercial focus while considering the end user. As well as driving commercial success in my role, I am leader in Lean Kanban management, alongside other senior members of the team. Ding have changed their delivery process and by adopting a Lean Kanban approach during the first 6 months of 2017. The Product and Technology team have successfully implemented a change in product delivery, shifting towards a pull based system that has had a visible improvement on delivery timelines as well as a measurable, collaborative approach to our work. As part of this process I have been awarded, TKP, KMP 1 and KMP 2 certification. Show less

Head of Product & Design

• Jan 2014 - Sep 2014

Leveraging my prior experience the latest promotion in my career also encompasses the Design team. Taking on full responsibility for all Product and Design under the Hostelworld.com brand, as well as Hostels.com, our B2B 'Inbox' solution and more, spread across multiple platforms.This role heavily involves extensive people management ensuring top quality products are delivered to all our customers, internal and external. As well as the operational side of team management, I have responsibilities similar to those I had during maternity cover 18 months ago, i.e. analytics with a focus on the customer behaviour, team budgets, reporting, product / technology road-map, prioritisation, meeting deadlines and ensuring my team contribute to the commercial success of the business, in-line with our strategy, while remaining the market leader. Show less

Product Team Lead

• Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

Gaining experience as Head of Product for the past 8 months, has given me the knowledge and skill set required to advance my career from Product Manager to Product Team Lead for B2B and B2C products. My team are responsible for the life cycle of key projects, and products across the business to ensure strategic goals are met in a timely fashion, and to an exceptional standard.

Head of Product (Maternity Cover)

• May 2012 - Dec 2012

Reporting directly to the CCO (Chief Commercial Officer) I was responsible for the entire product suite at Web Reservation International, including Hostelworld.com and Hostels.com.I managed our product team and worked closely with our senior management team to create a company road-map that was achievable and beneficial to the business. I was involved in strategic planning to ensure the growth of our business across desktop and mobile platforms, and my role was instrumental in ensuring that we remain the market leader in the online budget accommodation space.My responsibilities during this period included strategic planning, resource management, road-map management, launch planning, risk management, analytics, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, presenting, team management and the delivery of quality products for our internal customers within the business and our front end customers using our websites. Show less

Hostelworld.com Product Manager

• Jun 2010 - May 2012

My role involved working closely with all departments throughout the organisation, including the SEO team, marketing, commercial, development and design. My position mainly focused on www.hostelworld.com changes and enhancements to help maintain our position as market leader in the budget accommodation sector. I was responsible for all elements of the product life cycle, including - scope, gathering requirements, writing documentation, UAT, post launch review, while always considering the UX and ensuring the best experience for our front end users. Show less

backpack online Product Manager

• Feb 2006 - Jun 2010

Joining Hostelworld.com in Feb 2006, I worked as support for the newly launched online Property Management System, backpack online. After 2 years I was promoted to Product Manager. Responsible for the expansion and growth of the software worldwide, I managed a team of 5 staff to help reach targets and maintain the system.backpack online is now the preferred software by 1400+ property owners around the globe. While Product Manager, I worked closely with development and design departments to complete a redesign of the software in late 2008. We also won Travolution Best Online/ Desktop Application 2009. Show less

General Manager

• 2005 - 2006

Started in Kinlay House Dublin as a receptionist in 2000, within 8 months, I had progressed to Front Office supervisor and held position in the hostel for just under 18 months. Approached to return and cover 9 months maternity leave as General Manager in 2005. Taking this postition I was responsible for all elements of the business including: payroll, accounts, rosters, reception/ accommodation/ maintanence and 18 staff from around the world. During my time in Kinlay House Dublin, I oversaw the sale of the hostel as a going concern in July 2005 to a private investor. Show less