Group Director of Marketing & Communications

About the Role

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Group Director of Marketing & Communications for a full-time position in Makkah. This role involves leading the strategic direction and execution of marketing, public relations, and communications across a portfolio of four luxury and upper-upscale hotels: Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel; Raffles Makkah Palace; Swissôtel Makkah; and Swissôtel Al Maqam Makkah. The Group Director will report to senior commercial leadership and will be responsible for developing and implementing an integrated marketing and communications strategy to strengthen brand positioning, enhance market visibility, support revenue growth, and reinforce the reputation of each hotel and the wider portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the group-wide marketing strategy, annual marketing plans, and long-term brand development roadmap, translating business objectives into measurable marketing priorities for each hotel.
• Establish clear positioning and differentiation strategies for each property, ensuring alignment with individual brand standards and commercial objectives.
• Lead integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns across key domestic and international source markets, with a focus on Umrah, Hajj, and Ramadan periods.
• Safeguard the integrity and consistency of each hotel’s brand identity, positioning, and communication across all marketing channels.
• Lead the group’s public relations and communications strategy, strengthening brand reputation and media visibility across local, regional, and international markets.
• Lead the group’s digital marketing strategy, encompassing SEO, paid search, paid social, display advertising, and online content.
• Lead CRM and customer engagement strategies that support audience acquisition, personalized communications, and repeat visitation.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive marketing performance framework across the portfolio, defining and monitoring KPIs and performance targets.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual group marketing and communications budget, ensuring appropriate resource allocation.
• Lead, mentor, and develop group and hotel marketing and communications teams, establishing clear responsibilities and performance objectives.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, public relations, and communications, preferably within luxury or upper-upscale hospitality.
• At least 3 years of experience in a comparable senior leadership position, with 5 years preferred. Experience leading marketing and communications across a multi-hotel or cluster portfolio is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies for established hospitality brands.
• Proven track record in public relations, media relations, brand positioning, reputation management, and strategic communications.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, content development, CRM, loyalty marketing, and marketing analytics.
• Proven track record in KPI management, performance measurement, and management reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is highly desirable, particularly within luxury hospitality or religious tourism.

Required Skills

• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Exceptional storytelling and editorial judgment.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to the Saudi market.
• Ability to balance the distinctive identities of internationally recognized hotel brands with shared group objectives.

Work Environment

This role operates within the dynamic luxury hospitality sector in Makkah, focusing on the unique aspects of the religious tourism market. The Group Director will foster strong collaboration with hotel General Managers, commercial teams, brand representatives, and external stakeholders across a portfolio of four distinct properties.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this Group Director of Marketing & Communications position are invited to apply. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.