Director of Global Public Relations - Design Hotels

In a nutshell

Looking for a PR rockstar to join our team and tell the world about our beautiful brand. The right candidate will lead the the global PR strategy of the Design Hotels brand across all markets (AMERS, EUROPE, APEC). The role is based in either BERLIN or LONDON office. Design Hotels is a collection brand of 300 boutique hotels globally founded 30 years ago and owned by Marriott International. 

This leadership role will be instrumental to increase global brand awareness and consideration among two critical communities: (B2B) potential new hotel owners and trade, as well as (B2C) the wider consumer community who aspires to stay at member hotels whilst they travel.   This position will also oversee the PR services that support our member hotels, as part of the brand’s internal agency service. 

The role will work very closely with the internal and external stakeholders, and day-to-day with members of the brand team, including Brand Marketing, Community Engagement, and Partnerships, as well as PR & Corporate Communications for Marriott International. This person will work very closely with senior brand spokespeople to ensure messaging is clear and interviews are consistent to publish brand news.

The Director of Global PR will manage a strong team of 4, across multiple markets, to set strategy, achieve high-impact goals and hit the PR services’ financial targets.  The right candidate will have a deep understanding of the culture and media landscape in the U.S. (AMERS) as well as Europe; knowledge and experience working with APEC is strongly preferred.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Positioning of the brand as the leading travel and hospitality brand within the global media community. 
• Setting the annual global PR strategy for the brand, with a focus on cultural relevance, thought leadership and media relations in key growth markets
• Developing a strategic framework for all messaging to share with internal and external stakeholders
• Securing speaking opportunities and media interviews for brand spokespeople as a means to continue to tell the story of Design Hotels
• Leveraging community and owner activations to further engage global media 
• Working closely with the respective teams at Marriott International to coordinate PR strategies and and find storytelling synergies.

Responsibilities:

Brand: 

• Develop talking points and briefing documents for brand spokespeople
• Maintain and build relationships with global media – both B2C and B2B side of Travel,  Hospitality and Lifestyle
• Oversight of all outgoing press-releases and PR communications, responsible for the accuracy, integrity and efficiency of the content 
• Liaise with Marriott International team, explore further connection and joint PR opportunities with Marriott International and integrate in the annual PR plan; 
• Collaborate with colleagues at Marriott to  understand longer-term strategic opportunities and create a 3 year strategy 
• Share PR highlights and progress with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Establish PR metrics and track measurement 
• Craft, monitor and maintain messaging for the brand spokepeople for social channels such as LinkedIn
• Manage any crisis communications

Team leadership: 

• Lead, train and develop current and future PR team and interns
• Manage the PR team with comprehensive and clear development goals and plans for each team member 

Services:

• Review and critically assess all core PR tools & processes in place and build a strategy to improve those for greater efficiency 
• Deepen PR & Communication relationships with key accounts on the hotel side thorough in-depth review & evolution of the current set of PR services & activities 
• Maximize PR revenue by active acquisition of new clients and development of new PR products to offer to hotels

Requirements: 

• Masters or higher degree in PR, communications, journalism or related field
• At least 10 years of PR experience in consumer brand building  (or equivalent PR agency experience with an in-depth lifestyle credentials), including global work
• Previous extensive experience of team management across multiple markets
• Previous solid experience of P&L management 
• Extensive experience in multiple stakeholder management in Communications & PR, including integration or consolidation communications 
• In-depth understanding of Brand and Corporate stakeholder and processes and, ideally, PR with experience in both 
• Extensive personal media network in Travel/Hospitality/Design/Lifestyle verticals

Skills and Knowledge: 

• Excellent writing, communication and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the media landscape (travel, design, architecture, lifestyle & luxury goods)
• Native English speaker, fluency in at least one additional European language preferred
• Track record of achieving significant growth in media traction and PR activities  
• Ability to form strong partnerships both in and outside of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and to undertake supervisory responsibilities as needed.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​ team, and become the best version of you.