Senior Manager, Communications

Role Overview

• The Sr. Manager of Communications is responsible for the Communications strategy across HIC with the overall goal to support Hyatt’s hotel portfolio in the region (both operating and opening hotels), drive brand preference, and protect brand reputation for Hyatt and its sub-brands in the region.
• Develop strategic programs in support of Hyatt’s marketing, operations, and development objectives, starting with Latin America, and work to implement those initiatives in a way that delivers measurable results.
• Oversee Hyatt’s HIC corporate communication and spearhead an integrated communications program designed to drive preference for Hyatt and its HIC sub-brands, and to support acquisition and penetration for Hyatt’s loyalty program World of Hyatt.
• Work closely with functional specialists in Brands, Marketing, Digital Marketing, and content development to ensure an integrated approach across functions.
• Build a strong network with internal PR resources at Hyatt hotels across the assigned brand and region. Provide strategic guidance at all times in developing compelling storylines for hotels and destinations, and ensure that local/regional and corporate messages and media relations efforts reinforce and leverage each other.
• Leverage new hotel openings, acquisitions, conversions, and renovations to create awareness of an enthusiasm for Hyatt’s brands and the company’s positioning as an industry leader in the region.
• Take ownership of the Communications strategy for new hotel openings and brand introductions in HIC. Leverage key hotel openings and work with hotel pre-opening teams to create a meaningful Communications strategy to drive awareness, and ensure the communications strategy is embedded in the overall launch strategy, including Brands, marketing, and Digital Marketing/Content activities and planning.
• Drive awareness for new brands Hyatt is bringing to HIC.
• Position Hyatt as a business and leisure service/product innovator through new initiatives and creative brand publicity programs (surveys, events, social media campaigns, etc.).
• Leverage Hyatt as a hotel operator of choice among developers and potential business partners. Implement and own a program including proactive trade/B2B media relations, leveraging development conferences to maximize Hyatt exposure, overseeing development of messaging and materials that differentiate Hyatt and its sub-brands, as well as World of Hyatt in the minds of this key audience.
• Create a meaningful visibility program for Hyatt spokespersons across the assigned region, identify public speaking opportunities, and develop messaging documents and briefings on designated corporate issues/positions, and in response to media inquiries.
• Act as a go-to person and assist hotels in case of issues or crises, and further support Hyatt’s global communications teams with issues management and crisis communications when needed.
• Manage and direct Hyatt’s corporate PR agencies for the respective region in close collaboration with the broader Communications team. Act as the day-to-day contact to leverage the PR agency team to achieve set goals. Work with assigned PR agencies in the other parts of the region as needed.
• Act as a go-to resource for all communications-related questions for Hyatt’s operating hotels across HIC. Assist hotels with the selection, onboarding, and briefing of PR agencies, advise on the day-to-day management of hotel PR agencies, and troubleshoot when needed.
• Support operating and opening hotels with the selection, onboarding, and training of Communications staff.
• Develop strong personal relationships and maintain active contact with local/regional/national and international press that will benefit Hyatt.
• Identify current industry and lifestyle trends that create opportunities to position Hyatt as an industry leader in HIC and an expert resource for news media.
• Develop strong relationships with leaders of key functions across the company, including marketing, development, and operational leaders, general managers, and Sr. Managers of sales at the hotel level to enhance the credibility and relevance of the Global Communications function.

Requirements

• Minimum 7-8 years of Corporate Communications experience, including managerial/supervisory roles, preferably within the travel and hospitality sector, either on the corporate or agency side
• Public company experience in the US and Latin America is highly desired.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (both written and verbal) is a must. Any additional language is a plus.
• Extensive media relations experience, spokesperson experience is an advantage
• Ability to lead through consensus building and strong mentoring orientation
• Experience in establishing credibility and presenting programs and ideas in a persuasive way to strong individuals in leadership positions
• Ability to understand and implement cross-functional strategies. Work with functional specialists on integrated programs.
• High level of energy and enthusiasm
• Previous crisis management exposure and experience are highly desired
• Proven ability to write and edit a wide range of materials, including press releases, issue statements, key messages, speeches, and other documents (in English and Spanish)

Benefits

• Annual allotment of free hotel stays at Hyatt hotels globally
• Flexible work schedule
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace subscription, and a discount at the on-site fitness center
• A global family assistance policy with paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child as well as financial assistance for adoption
• Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match