Director, Luxury Brand Marketing | The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis (Maternity Cover - 6 months fixed term)

Marriott International is seeking an experienced and passionate brand marketeer for the role of Director overseeing The Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis brands in the MEA region. This is a 6-month maternity cover contract running from mid-September 2025 to mid-March 2026.

The position is responsible for the pull-through of Luxury Brand initiatives and brand marketing campaigns for The Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis across Middle East & Africa. The role will have primary focus in four key areas:

1. Culturally Relevant Brand Marketing Understand and monitor customer sentiment in key MEA source markets and partner with Europe Counterpart and Senior Director of Luxury Brand Marketing EMEA to execute 360-degree brand marketing campaigns and activations in key source markets for The Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St Regis.
2. Localized Brand Management Partner with Global brand team on brand strategy and ensure pull through and localization of brand initiatives across the continent. Act as a voice for the MEA Continent in the strategy discussions to actively develop implement and embed big-picture brand management initiatives that resonate with target customers in the region. Work with L&D to drive brand culture in the hotels across continent and collaborate cross-functionally to drive on-brand hotel openings and hotel relaunches (e.g. countdowns / pre-opening marketing planning etc.) and on-brand operations.
3. Luxury Group Alignment Main point of contact for HQ Luxury Group leaders providing MEA lens on luxury brand strategy. Act as a trusted counsellor and engage in broad-based branding discussions and initiatives in the continent drive organizational alignment by providing brand toolkits and guidelines to other disciplines and hotel teams to ensure on-brand operation. Act as the Brand partner for GMs in the continent.
4. On-Strategy Portfolio Growth - Partner with Senior Director Portfolio Growth MEA to ensure alignment on design guest experience spa and F&B concepts for potential opportunities.

This role is part of the EMEA Luxury Brand team reports to the Vice President Luxury Brands MEA. The role collaborates closely with Global Continent and property stakeholders.

The position requires excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills as the role will work cross-functionally with leaders across both EMEA and HQ in Marketing Brand Loyalty Partnerships Digital and PR Comms. The role will also collaborate closely with the Regional Commercial teams and Agency Partners including Creative and Paid Media.

SCOPE

• Develops oversees and delivers global and EMEA Luxury Brands strategy for The Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis within MEA including brand programs initiatives partnerships activations and performance
• Brand Marketing
  • Partner with Senior Director Luxury Marketing on developing brand marketing strategy forThe Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St Regis in MEA that drives meaningful performance.
  • Execute integrated targeted marketing campaigns to driveThe Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St Regis in MEA awareness and affinity in the continent support business goals and drive portfolio growth (e.g. resorts urban leisure family suites etc.)
  • Drives brand activations in key source markets in continent.
  • Responsible for communicating campaign achievements and reporting to key stakeholders.
  • Partner with the photography team to develop on-brand content.
  • Partner with the Continent Luxury Communications team on PR-driven brand events.
  • Responsible for identifying developing and managing brand partnerships in continent that provide brand equity benefits and enhance the guest experience.
  • Provide opening brand support for new hotels joining the brand withinThe Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis in MEA.
• On-Strategy Portfolio Growth
  • Provides guidance on areas of experience programming which connect to design and guest experience (sensory experience elements look books) and engages with the ADOPs/hotels to execute.
  • Supports Development as needed in immersing prospective new owners into the brand its strategies and positioning.
  • Partner with Senior Director Portfolio Growth MEA and continent Global Design Development and other Lodging Product teams to ensure alignment on design guest experience spa and F&B concepts for potential opportunities.
• Brand Management
  • Works closely with properties and Continent Operations to ensure on-brand implementation of brand operating standards procedures and brand operations-driven programs.
  • Monitors brand performance and develops appropriate actions in collaboration with relevant cross-functional teams to achieve the brand and Continent objectives.
  • Supports the effective pull-through and localization of new brand initiatives in MEA.
  • Provides support on hotel openings and conversions including Countdowns to ensure implementation of branded elements while tracking progress alongside relevant disciplines (Guest Experience L&D).
  • Provides input and support on projects for off-strategy hotels.
  • Lead and facilitate Brand Immersion sessions and GM Quarterly Webinars to drive brand engagement alignment and strategic communication across key stakeholders.
  • Acts as a key liaison between Brand and Operations to support alignment and integration between the functions on branded guest experience service and culture work and pilots.
  • Collaborates with Global Brand and Continent Operations on brand pilots (proof of concepts) in the Continent; provides brand feedback and support.
• Luxury Group Alignment
  • Act as point of contact for HQ Luxury Group leaders providing MEA lens on luxury brand strategy forThe Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton Reserve and St. Regis.
  • Act as a trusted counsellor and engage in broad-based branding discussions and initiatives in MEA
  • Drive organizational alignment by providing regular brand communication share toolkits and guidelines to other disciplines and hotel teams to ensure on-brand operation.

• Excellent influencing and leadership skills.
• Excellent presentation skills and strong executive presence.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally to drive results.
• Excellent emotional intelligence and positive mindset.
• Ability to handle the complexities of working with owners and key stakeholders.
• Strong team player and ability to foster relationships and collaborate across disciplines.
• Demonstrates self-confidence energy and enthusiasm.
• Able to effectively prioritise multiple tasks from multiple stakeholders and to influence results in a matrix environment.
• Demonstrates ability to adapt programs and activity to meet local market and culture needs.
• Initiative-taker and ability to work independently. Strong time management and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to solve problems quickly think creatively and satisfy localisation requirements for diverse markets.
• Team player who works well with counterparts from various functions/departments and has the ability to influence the work of others without direct reporting accountability.
• Possesses an understanding of brand building strategies differentiation and consumer insights.
• Skilled at establishing effective relationships with internal and external partners.
• Sets ambitious standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates focuses and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment of goals; proactively takes action and goes beyond what is required.
• Excellent relationship management and negotiation skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with senior leaders and external partners.
• Able to effectively prioritize multiple tasks for multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams across planning activation optimization and reporting.
• Excellent verbal written listening and presenting skills. Very strong communication and collaboration skills with all levels of the organization.
• Capable of listening and counselling stakeholders on best approach incl. what non-value add efforts to drop.
• Demonstrated ability to use standard software applications (e.g. Excel PowerPoint Word MS Teams).

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• 10 years of work experience to include hotel operations brand marketing and/or luxury brand experience
• University degree preferred.
• Proven track record working with senior executives in a consultative manner.
• Consistent track record of advancing business direction and strategies.
• Experience in EMEA markets preferred.
• Language requirements: High proficiency in English is required.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive people-first are committed to non-discrimination onanyprotectedbasis such as disability and veteran status or any other basis covered under applicable law.