608631 External Communication Manager Jobs

Job Summary

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest hotel franchise company with approximately 9,000 hotels in 90 countries and territories on six continents. We make hotel travel possible for all. Wherever and however people travel, Wyndham will be there to welcome them. 

The Global Communications team has an exciting opportunity for a talented communications professional to play a critical role in helping drive external awareness and publicity for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, with a heavy focus on domestic (U.S. and Canada) media relations.

The Manager, Global External Communications position requires the individual be a skilled communicator who is capable of developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with influential media nationally while navigating a complex global structure across multiple time zones and cultures. The role offers exposure and interaction with all levels of the organization, requiring accountability, poise, and professionalism at all times. Successfully managing and meeting varied and competing deadlines is a must. The role reports to the Senior Director, Global External Communications.

The Manager, Global External Communications will be responsible for helping drive key activities that support company and department goals. Day-to-day activities include, but may not be limited to: pitch development; press release drafting; media research; media relationship management; crisis/reputation management support; media monitoring and reporting; and maintenance of external company materials. The role requires close collaboration with key departments throughout the organization, including Development, Global Sales, Marketing, Operations, and more.

Given the nature of the 24-hour media landscape and the Communications department’s global remit, the position requires the candidate to be flexible and available in the event of crisis situations, company events or timely media inquiries. 

The role is based in Wyndham’s Parsippany, N.J. headquarters, however, remote scenarios will be considered for the right candidate.
 

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Support publicity of significant company announcements, including but not limited to drafting proactive media pitches and editorial calendars, writing press releases, building media lists and researching media inquiries to help push the business forward and gain positive exposure for the company, its brands and executives.

• Build and maintain relationships with key media and influencers, who are fundamental to the department’s success and its ability to manage the company’s reputation.

• Maintain and update externally facing company and/or brand documents and industry surveys to position the company and its brands accurately in trade and business publications.

• Monitor media coverage of the company and its brands, disseminating to key stakeholders as appropriate and alerting leadership of potential concerns.

• Manage department’s media hotline and email inbox, ensuring all inquiries are handled appropriately. This requires strong decision-making skills and a comprehensive understanding of the company’s structure and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

•    Strong media relationships—demonstrated ability to identify, build and maintain influential relationships
•    5+ years of experience in external-facing roles within a corporate communications environment or public relations agency
•    Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Communications, Journalism, English or related field preferred
•    Strong reporting, interviewing, analytical and editing skills
•    Excellent reasoning and decision-making abilities
•    Team-first, collaborative approach
•    Strong understanding of the evolving media landscape
•    Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with daily, weekly and monthly deadlines
•    Ability to handle and troubleshoot requests and challenges, even with limited information
•    Strong sense of urgency
•    Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently
•    Adaptable to shifts in priorities
•    Excellent interpersonal skills, customer service skills and organizational skills
•    Strong presentation skills
•    Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office)
•    Experience with media research and monitoring platforms
•    High proficiency in social and digital media
•    Photoshop/graphic design/video editing/audio editing experience a plus
•    Experience in travel or hospitality preferred