Director, PR & Communications

(5-Month Contract - Maternity Leave Coverage)

Responsible for generating earned media raising the profile of Accor, the Group’s brands and hotels in North & Central America. Brings together multi-disciplinary teams, at both the hub and hotel level, as well as external partners including agencies and vendors, to develop, execute and manage goal-oriented PR & Communications plans, programs and campaigns. 

What is in it for you:

• Employee Discount Travel Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow with the Company across the world!
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities, like Planet 21

What you will be doing:

• Lead national media engagement in the North American market, including proactive pitching and the management of a high volume of media and influencer leads, including requests for stays, photography, quotes and interviews. 
• Project manage complex PR initiatives, including events and activations, press trips, deskside tours, media mailers, partnership launches, loyalty initiatives and strategic campaigns, from ideation and planning, to execution and tracking of measurable results. 
• Draft PR materials, including press releases, pitches, fact sheets, award submissions, and key messaging. 
• Provide day-to-day support for Accor North & Central America hotels, including strategic counsel and planning; content review, editing and copywriting; and training and optimization of on-property PR talent. 
• Support new openings, acquisitions, reflags and deflags through development, oversight and deployment of the strategic communications plan, timeline and budget, and all corresponding tactics, i.e. liaising with ownership, development of press materials, targeted media outreach, appointment of PR resources, opening event(s) and FAM(s), and more. 
• Maintain the corporate, agency and brand editorial calendars, from consulting on timely and relevant topics, to the collection and vetting of content, to the creation of press materials. 
• Manage Accor’s PR activation at industry events, including corresponding press and social strategy, setting up and attending executive interviews, arranging for media attendance at Group activities, providing cohesive key messaging for executives on stage and in attendance, and strategic advisement on overall brand presence at event. 
• Oversee PR & Communications Specialist in ensuring that:
  • PR content is up-to-date on the Accor North & Central America online press room, AccorLive employee Intranet, MAX owner portal, and Amplify social media channels. 
  • Awards tracker is up-to-date for Accor, brands and hotels. 
  • Internal PR email distribution lists are up-to-date. 
• Routinely work with corporate PR and marketing teams, brands and properties, as it relates to Accor North & Central America PR activities, events and campaigns. 
• Assist in the management of PR agencies, plans and budgets. 
• Serve as liaison and champion for North & Central America hotels with Accor’s global PR network.  
• Leverage North & Central America resources to support global Accor and brand PR initiatives. 
• Key member of communications team for issues and crisis management. 
• Demonstrate positive ROI on PR activities and programs, including press monitoring, reporting and analysis, along with management of corresponding tools, i.e. Cision, Burrelles and TVEyes. 
• Create owner presentations and reports, which demonstrate the value Accor NCA PR & Communications drives for the Group’s hotels and owner partners. 

Your experience and skills include:

• Minimum of eight to ten years of experience in public relations or corporate communications 
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills 
• Experience working directly with top-tier national media 
• Experience in the travel and/or hospitality industry, preferably in a hotel, corporate or agency environment  
• Demonstrated project management skills; excellent knowledge of and expertise in tactical planning for and execution of PR activities
• Firm understanding of communications and marketing disciplines – media relations, loyalty, digital marketing, social, partnerships – and how they can be leveraged in support of PR goals
• Proven experience in meeting the needs of various constituents (corporate, brand, hotel, owner, customer, media)
• Self-motivated energetic team player with superior leadership and decision-making skills
• Highly organized, flexible and resourceful, capable of handling multiple projects and tight deadlines effectively
• Innovative and creative thinker 
• Degree from an accredited university in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism or a related field 
• Excellent command of the English language is a must and the ability to speak another language used within North America is desirable
• The following would be considered assets: experience in crisis communications   

Note:  Must already be legally entitled to work in Canada or the US to be considered for this position

Your team & working environment:

• Reporting to the Vice President, PR & Communications
• Option to be based in the Toronto, Canada hub headquarters or home-office based in an approved location in the US or Canada 

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit  https://careers.accor.com/

Why work for Accor?

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS