Group Director of Marketing & Communications

About the role

FRS Makkah is seeking an accomplished, commercially driven Group Director of Marketing & Communications to lead marketing, public relations and communications across four luxury and upper-upscale hotels in Makkah: Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, Raffles Makkah Palace, Swissôtel Makkah and Swissôtel Al Maqam. Reporting to senior commercial leadership, the role develops an integrated strategy that strengthens brand positioning, market visibility and revenue growth, balancing the identities of internationally recognized hotel brands with group objectives. A strong understanding of the Saudi hospitality landscape and Makkah's religious tourism market is essential.

Key responsibilities

• Lead group-wide marketing strategy, annual plans and long-term brand development, including multi-channel campaigns for Umrah, Hajj, Ramadan and other peak periods, and partnerships with tourism authorities and travel trade partners.
• Protect brand consistency and compliance with global brand standards, and oversee marketing collateral, creative concepts and brand governance.
• Lead PR, media relations and corporate communications, including press events, media visits, executive messaging, internal communications and crisis management.
• Lead digital marketing (SEO, paid search, paid social, display) and content strategy, and set performance standards for digital campaigns.
• Drive CRM, customer engagement and loyalty marketing, including Accor Live Limitless membership awareness, and work with sales, reservations and operations.
• Set up a performance framework with KPIs, run regular performance reports and present data-driven updates to senior leadership.
• Manage the annual marketing and communications budget, and lead relationships with PR, creative and digital agencies and partnerships.
• Lead, mentor and develop marketing and communications teams, and coach hotel marketing leaders.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, PR and communications, preferably in luxury or upper-upscale hospitality.
• At least 3 years in a comparable senior leadership position (5 years preferred); experience across a multi-hotel portfolio is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in PR, media relations, brand positioning, reputation management and strategic communications.