Chief Communications Officer - American Hotel & Lodging Association

The AHLA Chief Communications Officer (CCO) serves as a key member of the AHLA senior leadership team, overseeing all aspects of AHLA’s and the AHLA Foundation’s internal and external communications functions.The CCO is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to elevate AHLA’s visibility, amplify its influence, and drive meaningful impact, while showcasing a compelling narrative about the industry’s contributions and value. This role requires a dynamic, strategic leader with expertise in media relations, public affairs and campaign execution, content creation, and crisis communication, as well as the ability to manage, mentor and inspire a high-performing team. This role reports to the President and CEO and will interact with the Officers and Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

•  Strategic vision setting and organizational leadership.
• Advisor to the CEO and communications liaison to the Officers and Board of Directors.
• Oversee all aspects of the internal and external communications functions of AHLA and the AHLA Foundation including: brand management and brand awareness, media relations, internal and member communications, campaign strategy, management and execution, crisis and issues management, association messaging, event communications, thought leadership, research and polling, spokesperson training, and social media.
• Establish and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with AHLA’s mission, vision, and goals and provides value to its members.
• Design and execute high-impact, creative communications campaigns with compelling messaging employing earned, paid and owned media to build favorable perceptions of AHLA and the hospitality industry and support AHLA’s public policy agenda.
• Establish processes to measure the effectiveness of communications campaigns and activities.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of organizational messages, and provide ongoing messaging guidance for key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Build and lead a high-performing team to implement tactics and plans in support of overall communications strategies.
• Alongside AHLA's CEO, serve as a public spokesperson for AHLA, and when required, for the industry more broadly.
• Work collaboratively across AHLA teams to ensure cohesive messaging and strategic alignment.
• Partner with the marketing function to ensure timely and relevant communication to AHLA members.
• Establish strong relationships of trust and confidence with media, industry influencers, and key stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Build strong ties with communications leaders at member companies. Oversee the design and management of internal and external communication materials, printed publications, press releases, op-eds, newsletters, thought leadership, speeches, and online content.
• Manage all vendor/agency/contractor relationships supporting communications function.
• Oversee the communications budget and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.

Requirements

• Senior communications executive with 25+ years of experience.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong media relations experience with top-tier national business media, trade press, and social media outlets, with a network of established contacts and a record of building relationships of trust and confidence with the media.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful, multi-channel communications strategies.
• Ability to translate complex industry issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Ability to make decisions and provide advice and counsel to senior executives in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Creative thinker willing to take smart, strategic risks.
• Collaborative leader with experience building, developing, and inspiring a team of high-performing professionals.
• Experience building, managing and leading teams.
• Highly networked in Washington; politically sophisticated.
• Hill and Agency experience a must, as well as running national campaigns that drive results.
• Deep experience working with other industry or professional associations.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home
• Free Food & Snacks

Other:

• Position based in Washington, DC.
• Hybrid schedule – employees work in the office three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday).
• Moderate to significant travel is required.

AHLA is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

EOE