Marriott International offers you the opportunity to find the hospitality job and career journey that's right for you. With more than 1100 managed properties and 18 brands you'll find us in your neighborhood and in more than 74 countries across the globe. Find Your World™ at Marriott.
*JOB SUMMARY*
As the company continues to rapidly expand its portfolio of Marriott Signature brands globally and aggressively target Millennial travelers, the Senior Director, Public Relations, Marriott Signature Brands plays a key role in proactively developing and leading consumer public relations (PR) strategies. The Senior Director will lead a team that produces the annual consumer PR strategy and planning process for each assigned brand with direction from Brand Leadership and coordination with Brand Marketing. This position will integrate Signature PR efforts with new portfolio marketing organizations – Marriott Rewards, Marriott Content Studio and Buzz Marketing as appropriate. Additionally, this role will work closely with Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility teams to ensure brand messages and social causes are aligned and supportive of Marriott International values and corporate identity.
The position will be responsible for driving PR strategies and fully integrating public relations into each brand’s overall consumer marketing plans and communications goals and objectives thus ensuring communications programs drive brand distinction and leverage the power of Marriott International’s portfolio of brands. The Sr. Director will fully leverage the Marriott Signature portfolio for PR opportunities to increase consideration among each brands’ target customer, develop top-tier media and blogger relations programs and coverage, oversee and manage all outside public relations resources, manage and mentor a team activate brand specific PR partnerships, develop and lead experiential PR activations, create monthly and annual brand PR scorecards and help shape the company’s long-term Marriott Signature Brands strategy. Additionally, this role will coordinate brand growth stories with development PR to ensure there is message alignment with consumer facing and trade press as needed.
The Sr. Director will be responsible for coordinating Signature Brand PR globally with Continental PR Directors, integrating their continental priorities with brand initiatives. The position will ensure that brand and corporate priorities are also conveyed and reflected in the annual continental PR plans. The primary purpose of this position is to be highly engaged in leading sustained consumer facing global public relations strategies and campaigns for each assigned brand, including high-value earned media, global events and PR activations, brand immersions and results measurement and analysis. This role will lead the formulation of network of PR agencies with deep and brand / segment appropriate relationships.
The position will liaise closely with the continent PR teams and the Global Communications and Public Affairs disciplines – corporate relations, buzz marketing, internal communications, corporate social responsibility and cultural affairs. The position will partner closely with the Brand Management teams, Brand and Portfolio Marketing, as well as other internal stakeholders – Development, OFS, Digital, Sales and Field Marketing.
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*CANDIDATE PROFILE *
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*Education and Experience Preferred*
* 4-year degree from an accredited university in public relations, communications, international studies, social sciences, journalism, marketing, business administration, or related major
* 10 years of relevant professional experience in public relations, media, marketing, business administration, or related function, demonstrating progressive career growth and pattern of exceptional performance.
* Demonstrated knowledge of the media, established network of media contacts across a spectrum of consumer outlets
* Proficient in social media and relationships with cultural influencers that are relevant to target audience
* Experience with leading PR organization as well as sourcing PR agencies
* International brand PR experience strongly preferred
*CORE WORK ACTIVITIES*
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*Proactively develops and implements brand specific PR plans, campaigns and strategies *
* Develops top-tier media/blogger/influencer coverage, including high-quality feature publicity in print, broadcast and online. Leverages and drives brand public relations through content marketing, buzz marketing and social media channels.
* Leads the PR strategy and manages all related activities and initiatives, including development of annual PR strategic plans, including campaigns, platforms, messaging, positioning and content that promotes the assigned brands.
* Fully integrates brand and portfolio PR with global brand marketing, development and operations programs and initiatives. Ensures that the continents, OFS and field operations are aware and involved as appropriate with brand PR campaigns, buzz marketing partnerships, global announcements, program launches and activations.
* Provides leadership to brand marketing and brand teams to create greater target consumer consideration that leads to bookings and revenue and add value to owner/franchisee relations and all appropriate stakeholders.
* Provides ongoing PR counsel to brand teams and properties. Works closely with field marketing Directors to leverage scope of local promotions and specific marketing/brand campaigns; establishes annual strategic calendar of special events, inclusive of grand openings, experiential marketing events, media tours / open houses, etc. Creates and develops PR messaging and executes earned media plans and strategies, major market events, and communications training – including the development, editing and approval of press materials and PR presentations.
* Serves as a key communications liaison with the company’s Global Internal Communications team to ensure pull through of enterprise-wide communications and messaging in key channels (e.g., MGS, Weekly Update, and Headline News), speeches and other venues. This position will also be responsible for leading the communication efforts related to any brand crisis issue working in concert with Corporate Relations.
* Assists in the development of PR plans to amplify the company’s priorities in Multicultural and Diversity for each assigned brand, working in coordination with internal leaders in these departments within GCPA.
* Maximizes brand Public Relations and publicity opportunities stemming from the company’s strong Corporate Social Responsibility activities and involvements (i.e., Fairfield’s Habitat for Humanity, Delta Greens, and Residence Inn American Red Cross Activation etc.). Interfaces regularly and effectively with Global Communications department team members including Global Corporate Relations, Internal Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, and, Government Affairs.
* Holds responsibility for training in the market for PR instruction, media training and brand immersions for executives, General Managers, Operations, Sales and Marketing.
* Provides timely and accurate public relations agency network support and follow-through for international properties.
* Represents Marriott International at selected industry and company trade shows, and uses these venues to promote the company’s key messages.
* Represents Global Public Relations among owners and franchisees, such MINA, Residence Inn’s TRIA Board and FACs, reporting out on public relations programs.
* Manages market pull-through on company initiatives, news and brand messaging.
* Develops operating plans and workable business processes that align with function strategy.
* Manages larger business processes and/or projects, setting priorities and measurable objectives, monitoring and reporting on the process, progress and results.
* Plays a key role in aligning global public relations with specific brand initiatives, helps drive awareness and revenue, and provides PR expertise and support for existing and pipeline hotels.
* Oversees the entire Marriott Signature Brand PR budget ensuring accurate forecasts, on-time reporting and on time / on-budgets.
*Managing Stakeholder Relationships*
* Develops and maintains effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across the organization. Fosters a positive climate to build effective teams that are committed to organizational goals and initiatives.
* Updates stakeholders on key initiative wins and opportunities, responds to concerns, and solicits feedback. Engages leadership to develop and execute action plans to address gaps.
* Assists direct reports with building and maintaining stakeholder relationships as business partnerships.
*Leading and Managing Teams*
* Hires, develops, and retains diverse talent that makes a strong, positive impact on the organization. Holds accountability for the PR agency hiring, management and budgeting for each assigned brand.
* Creates a team environment that encourages accountability, high standards, and innovation.
* Sets clear organizational goals and expectations for direct reports using the performance review process and holds team accountable for performance.
* Continuously improves team and job structures and ensures clear leadership accountabilities are in place.
* Builds teams with the appropriate mix of talent and skills to drive innovation and performance. Identifies talents of direct reports, and assists with their growth and development plans.
* Facilitates regular, ongoing communication in department.
*MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
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*Leadership*
* *Communication - *Conveys information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner through a variety of methods.
* *Leading Through Vision and Values - *Keeps the organization's vision and values at the forefront of decision making and action.
* *Managing Change - *Initiates and/or manages the change process and energizes it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace; serves as role model for how to handle change by maintaining composure and performance level under pressure or when experiencing challenges.
* *Problem Solving and Decision Making - *Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; obtains and compares information from different sources to draw conclusions, develops and evaluates alternatives and solutions, solves problems, and chooses a course of action.
* *Professional Demeanor - *Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the company in alignment with its values.
* *Strategy Development - *Develops business plans by exploring and systematically evaluating opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results; ensures successful preparation and execution of business plans through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.
*Managing Execution*
* *Building a Successful Team - *Uses an effective interpersonal style to build a cohesive team; inspires and sustains team cohesion and engagement by focusing the team on its mission and importance to the organization.
* *Strategy Execution – *Ensures successful execution across of business plans designed to maximize customer satisfaction, profitability, and market share through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes.
* *Driving for Results - *Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates, focuses, and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment goals; proactively takes action and goes beyond what is required.
*Building Relationships*
* *Customer Relationships - *Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer/stakeholder needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards.
* *Global Mindset - *Supports employees and business partners with diverse styles, abilities, motivations, and/or cultural perspectives; utilizes differences to drive innovation, engagement and enhance business results; and ensures employees are given the opportunity to contribute to their full potential.
* *Strategic Partnerships - *Develops collaborative relationships with fellow employees and business partners by making them feel valued, appreciated, and included; explores partnership opportunities with other people in and outside the organization; influences and leverages corporate and continental shared services and/or discipline leaders (e.g., HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Revenue Management) to achieve objectives; maintains effective external relations with government, business and industry in respective countries; performs effectively as a liaison between locations, disciplines, and corporate to ensure needed resources are received and corporate strategies are understood and executed.
*Generating Talent and Organizational Capability *
* *Organizational Capability - *Evaluates and adapts the structure of assignments and work processes to best fit the needs and/or support the goals of an organizational unit.
* *Talent Management - *Provides guidance and feedback to help individuals develop and strengthen skills and abilities needed to accomplish work objectives.
*Learning and Applying Professional Expertise*
* *Business Acumen - *Understands and utilizes business information to manage everyday operations and generate innovative solutions to approach business and administrative challenges.
* *Continuous Learning - *Actively identifies new areas for learning; regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learns through their application.
* *Strategy Knowledge - *Understanding and utilizing professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific strategic work challenges.
/Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Marriott International does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws./
**Job:** **Public Relations and Communications*
**Organization:** **Corporate*
**Title:** *Senior Director, Public Relations - Signature Brands*
**Location:** *MD-Bethesda-Marriott International HQ*
**Requisition ID:** *15000SE5*