Director of Marketing Communications - Pre-Opening, W Manchester

Shape the Story Behind Manchester's Most Anticipated Hotel Opening

A new icon of luxury lifestyle hospitality is preparing to arrive in one of the UK's most culturally influential cities. W Manchester will bring the bold spirit, creative energy and distinctive design-led approach of W Hotels to the heart of Manchester, a city celebrated for its innovation, music, fashion and global appeal.

As a pre-opening property, W Manchester represents far more than a hotel opening. It is the creation of a new social destination where culture, creativity and hospitality converge. This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in launching a landmark destination, building awareness, shaping perception and establishing a powerful brand presence from the very beginning.

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Marketing Communications to lead this exciting journey and position W Manchester as one of the most talked-about luxury hospitality destinations in the United Kingdom.

About the Role

As Director of Marketing Communications, you will be responsible for the planning, direction, control and coordination of all communication activities for the hotel, with a particular focus on public relations, brand positioning and storytelling.

Reporting into the hotel leadership team, you will develop and execute innovative communication strategies that enhance the profile and reputation of W Manchester while contributing directly to commercial success. From media relations and influencer engagement to brand campaigns and community partnerships, you will ensure every touchpoint reflects the distinctive personality of W Hotels.

This role requires a strategic marketer, creative storyteller and influential relationship builder who can successfully translate the hotel's vision into compelling campaigns that drive awareness, engagement and revenue.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual marketing communications strategy aligned with the hotel's commercial objectives and W Hotels' global brand vision.
• Lead all public relations, media engagement and brand storytelling activities to drive awareness and strengthen market positioning.
• Act as a brand guardian, ensuring all communications, creative content and collateral consistently reflect W Hotels' distinctive identity.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with media, luxury lifestyle partners, community stakeholders and industry opinion leaders.
• Oversee advertising campaigns, content creation, photography, promotional materials and digital marketing initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and guest insights to identify opportunities that support revenue growth and brand relevance.
• Partner closely with Sales, Revenue Management and Operations teams to maximise exposure for guestrooms, dining venues, events and experiences.
• Lead, coach and inspire marketing and communications team members while managing budgets, agency relationships and campaign performance.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a commercially aware marketing leader with a passion for luxury brands, culture and creative storytelling.

You will have the ability to combine strategic thinking with flawless execution, building impactful campaigns while maintaining a strong focus on results. Equally comfortable engaging with journalists, influencers, ownership stakeholders and hotel leaders, you will be a trusted advisor and compelling brand ambassador.

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• A creative, collaborative and inspiring leadership style.
• Experience within luxury hospitality, lifestyle brands or premium consumer environments.
• Strong expertise across public relations, communications, brand marketing and reputation management.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to align marketing activity to measurable business outcomes.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• A passion for creating memorable brand experiences that resonate with modern luxury travellers.

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED with a minimum of four years' experience in sales and marketing, guest services, front desk operations or a related professional area;