Group Director of Marketing & Communications

About the Role

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, is seeking a Group Director of Marketing & Communications. This permanent role is based in Makkah and requires a minimum of 10 years of experience. The successful candidate will lead the strategic direction and execution of marketing, public relations, and communications for 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.

Role Purpose and Context

Reporting to senior commercial leadership, the Group Director will develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy. This strategy aims to strengthen brand positioning, enhance market visibility, support revenue growth, and reinforce the reputation of each hotel and the wider portfolio. The role requires a strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen, a deep understanding of luxury hospitality, and the ability to balance distinct brand identities with shared group objectives. A strong understanding of the Saudi hospitality landscape, particularly Makkah’s religious tourism market, is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the group-wide marketing strategy, annual marketing plans, and long-term brand development roadmap.
• Establish clear positioning and differentiation strategies for each property, aligning with brand standards and commercial objectives.
• Lead integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns across key domestic and international source markets, focusing on Umrah, Hajj, and Ramadan.
• Identify opportunities to increase demand and revenue across various hotel offerings through targeted campaigns and strategic partnerships.
• Safeguard the integrity and consistency of each hotel’s brand identity and communication across all channels.
• Lead the group’s public relations and communications strategy, strengthening brand reputation and media visibility.
• Build and maintain relationships with media organizations, journalists, influencers, and communications partners.
• Lead the group’s digital marketing strategy, encompassing SEO, paid search, paid social, and online content.
• Direct content strategy and creative production across photography, video, and editorial content.
• Lead CRM and customer engagement strategies to support audience acquisition, personalized communications, and repeat visitation.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive marketing performance framework, defining and monitoring KPIs.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual group marketing and communications budget.
• Lead relationships with public relations agencies, creative agencies, and other external suppliers.
• Lead, mentor, and develop group and hotel marketing and communications teams.
• Collaborate with General Managers, Sales, Revenue Management, Operations, and other relevant teams.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification or professional certification is an advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing and communications.

Required Competencies

• Strategic marketing leadership and portfolio management.
• Luxury brand positioning and brand stewardship.
• Public relations, corporate communications, and media engagement.
• Crisis communications and reputation management.
• KPI ownership, performance reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
• Commercial awareness and marketing ROI optimization.
• Digital marketing, content strategy, and audience engagement.
• Budget management and resource allocation.
• Executive stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Team leadership, performance management, coaching, and talent development.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to the Saudi market.

Work Type

This is a permanent position based in Makkah.