Director of Marketing & PR

Job description

A Hotel Marketing Public Relations Manager plays a crucial role in developing and implementing the annual marketing and PR plan, driving key objectives, current initiatives and relevant activities relating directly to the hotel. The role will be responsible for leading the hotel’s marketing and PR team and ensuring the department performs an integral role in bringing together all function areas to ensure commercial targets are optimised.

What will I be doing?

As Hotel Marketing Public Relations Manager, you will develop and implement the marketing plan and activities for the hotel to increase brand awareness, communicate promotions to all relevant target markets and address hotel business needs. Specifically, you will perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

Business Function

·  Develop, proactively manage and implement the annual hotel marketing and PR plan to include media relations, social media, internal communications, eCommerce, brand recognition and loyalty marketing within budget guidelines
·  Responsible for measuring key performance indicators relating to all marketing and PR activities, promotions and campaigns, and producing performance reports for all key stakeholders
·  Manage the roll out of marketing and PR initiatives to support the hotel in meeting their targets, also by leveraging key function activity with regional marketing, corporate communications, eCommerce, marketing operations, strategic partnerships and HHonors
·  Oversee the execution of all promotional activities, whether local, regional or global, across all available channels, ensuring brand adherence and effectiveness
·  Manage all media relations activities and information, including maintaining and distributing press kits, press releases, photo library, brochures, newsletters, key personnel biographies and hotel question and answer sheet
·  Oversee media visits and develop key media contacts, manage press conferences on site and be aware of media events and activities in the local area and community
·  As the key media liaison, source and pitch interesting, newsworthy stories relating to the hotel including, but not limited to MICE, F&B, rooms, spa, architecture and design, team members and corporate responsibility
·  Ensure sales and F&B teams receive full marketing and PR support including collateral
·  Always be the brand champion ensuring all collateral conforms to agreed brand standards and content is compliant of corporate guidelines and within budget guidelines across all activities
·  Support individual brand initiatives and ensure hotel brand campaigns are rolled out effectively and communicated using the right tone of voice for each segment
·  Manage internal communications in the hotel and take responsibility for updating regional office of any local stories, awards and sponsorship events to promote locally, regionally and globally
·  Develop, manage and grow a tailored social media strategy to drive engagement and grow loyalty
·  Recognise and execute opportunities for HHonors as well as other hotel incentive programmes, and manage all hotel level CRM and database requirements
·  Support Line Manager in developing marketing and PR strategy and demonstrate clear outcomes that work to support the commercial strategy of the business
·  Identify local partnership opportunities with the regional team, and oversee the on-going execution of revenue driving activities
·  Responsible for building a coherent social media strategy for the hotel and its outlets
·  Seek to grow social media followers and to enhance interaction with customers on these sites using relevant tools and techniques
·  Respond to customer postings as appropriate tackling any complaints and issues

Managing Execution

·  Achieve agreed performance goals and marketing and PR objectives of role set out by the Line Manager
·  Oversee all marketing and PR projects in line with resources and budget objectives
·  Manage and execute local news or stories affecting hotel business and share across region
·  Be the marketing and PR representative in hotel commercial focus meetings, and proactively identify revenue-driving opportunities with other key stakeholders
·  Conduct continuous analysis of competitive environment and consumer trends, and use findings to continuously evaluate and drive commercial success and social media activity
·  Actively support Line Manager on all in-house merchandising activity and ensure all merchandising opportunities are identified, maximised and communicated across organisation
·  Ensure full brand compliance across all marketing and PR initiatives on hotel level
·  Lead effective content management across all available channels, including hotel website, OTAs, social media, mobile marketing and PR and partnership programs
·  Conduct regular hotel marketing and PR audits to meet regional and global audit requirements
·  Participate in all internal and external marketing and PR meetings and attend relevant industry events, training workshops and trade-shows
·  Respond quickly and efficiently to all internal and external requests
·  In liaison with corporate communications, manage communications connected with hotel crisis and any issues arising with the hotel
·  Understand and champion Hilton's core values
·  Undertake any reasonable task or function requested by the Line Manager to a high standard and a professional manner

Developing Talent

·  Create an effective marketing and PR team on property, fostering a productive team culture and encouraging career growth
·  Encourage and motivate individuals to achieve key company and personal objectives and targets
·  Put in place a dedicated career path for each team member, with the creation of a Personal Development Plan highlighting key development milestones and timelines
·  Conduct regular performance reviews, ensuring adequate feedback is given and used proactively for further development
·  Highlight and encourage team members to participate in job specific training opportunities and attend internal and external networking industry events

Building Relationships

·  Establish excellent open communication with all operational teams, i.e. GM, DBD, F&B and other department heads throughout the region
·  Develop and maintain good working relationships with various levels of Hilton’s personnel including corporate and regional marketing and communications teams, corporate brand, eCommerce, loyalty and partnership teams
·  Proactively develop and maintain effective working relationships with all external customers to include key members of the media, community organisations, local and municipality government officials, local industry organisations as well as suppliers and agencies
·  Excel at being an effective team player to all corporate, regional and hotel level personnel by demonstrating a ‘can do’ and customer focused attitude, providing peer support, cross-functional and across regions

What are we looking for?

A Hotel Marketing Public Relations Manager serving Hilton brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

·  Previous Marketing experience in a similar environment
·  Experience of managing and motivating a team along with evidence of driving successful team results
·  Experience of developing, creating and managing promotional campaigns and marketing and PR activities with associated costs and working to budget restraints
·  Complete understanding of key functions relating to marketing and PR strategies and initiatives whilst managing multiple work streams
·  College Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or Hotel Management
·  Experience in developing and implementing effective and realistic marketing and PR plans and strategies, including budget evaluation, extensive communication written work, management and reporting
·  Demonstrates ability to interact effectively with various levels of management
·  Outstanding communication skills in all areas of writing, listening and speaking English. High proficiency of native language dependant on location of role
·  Communicates key information effectively to all levels of management using a variety of communication tools
·  Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, budget management and project and time management
·  Able to think analytically, critically and strategically when faced with unique opportunities and challenges, prioritising and identifying productive solutions
·  Demonstrates a sound understanding of commercial awareness and has the ability to influence others in key situations whilst maintaining positive relationships
·  Exhibits previous experience of written work in a communications role
·  Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills to include strong leadership and cultural sensitivity
·  Executes calculated risks with pre-determined successful outcome
·  Able to relate to the marketing and PR world and adapt to changing priorities quickly and with ease
·  An accomplished leader offering excellent judgement, time management and decision making skills
·  Professional approach, clean and well groomed at all times
·  Friendly demeanour, positive, enthusiastic and delivers strong customer focused work ethic
·  Excellent problem solving and decision making skills who can work autonomously whilst keeping all parties informed
·  Honesty, integrity and a passion for hard work
·  Creatively minded and has a desire to work in marketing and PR for the hospitality industry
·  Demonstrated self-starter with excellent attention to detail
·  High energy and the ability to motivate and manage a team through leading by example
·  Resourceful, customer focused and results oriented
·  Enjoys working collaboratively, key team player with a “can do” attitude and thrives on a challenge
·  Good understanding of Hilton, its core values and management structure

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

·  Previous experience of working in a marketing and PR role in the hotel industry
·  Able to speak further key business languages
·  Experience working with key marketing partnerships, media and design agencies
·  Master’s degree in Business, Communications or Marketing
·  Qualifications or courses relating to creative, descriptive or effective writing

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands .  Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day.  And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!