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The Director – Brand Communications will lead the strategic communications agenda for The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, ensuring a consistent, compelling, and premium brand narrative across all internal and external touchpoints. The role is responsible for developing and executing integrated communication strategies that strengthen The Leela's position as India's leading luxury hospitality brand. Working closely with senior leadership, hotel teams, public relations agencies, marketing, digital, and commercial functions, the incumbent will oversee corporate communications, media relations, executive communications, crisis management, brand storytelling, awards, thought leadership, and reputation management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute The Leela's integrated corporate and brand communications strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Ensure consistency of brand messaging across all corporate, hotel, digital, media, and stakeholder communications.
• Build and strengthen The Leela's brand positioning through impactful storytelling and strategic communication initiatives.
• Develop annual communication calendars aligned with business priorities, hotel openings, campaigns, partnerships, and corporate milestones.
• Lead national and international media relations to strengthen brand visibility and reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with leading business, travel, hospitality, luxury, lifestyle, and trade media.
• Manage PR agencies and evaluate communication effectiveness through measurable outcomes.
• Develop press releases, media kits, fact sheets, speeches, and key messaging documents.
• Identify opportunities for proactive media engagement and brand visibility.
• Develop compelling narratives that showcase The Leela's heritage, luxury positioning, service philosophy, sustainability initiatives, culinary excellence, wellness offerings, and guest experiences.
• Oversee development of high-quality communication content across print, digital, video, and social platforms.
• Ensure consistency in tone of voice, editorial quality, and brand standards across all communications.
• Partner with the CEO, senior leadership team, and Executive Committee to develop strategic communication materials.
• Draft leadership speeches, keynote presentations, interviews, opinion articles, and executive messaging.
• Support communication for investor engagements, industry forums, awards, and corporate events.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and response frameworks.
• Lead communication during business-sensitive situations, ensuring timely, transparent, and brand-appropriate messaging.
• Monitor media sentiment and proactively manage reputation risks.
• Advise leadership on communication strategies during critical business situations.
• Lead submissions for national and international hospitality, luxury, travel, sustainability, and employer branding awards.
• Identify speaking opportunities, conferences, and industry platforms for executive leadership.
• Position The Leela and its leadership as thought leaders within the hospitality and luxury sectors.
• Develop communication strategies that strengthen employee engagement and reinforce organizational culture.
• Partner with Human Resources to communicate key initiatives, leadership messages, employer branding campaigns, and employee recognition programmes.
• Ensure alignment between internal and external brand messaging.
• Support strategic partnerships and brand collaborations through integrated communication plans.
• Develop communication strategies for hotel openings, renovations, product launches, culinary festivals, wellness initiatives, and experiential campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Digital, Revenue Management, Sales, and Operations to maximize campaign impact.
• Manage PR agencies, communication consultants, creative partners, photographers, content creators, and production agencies.
• Develop communication budgets and ensure optimum utilization of resources.
• Build strong relationships with tourism boards, hospitality associations, luxury publications, influencers, and strategic partners.
• Track communication effectiveness through media coverage, share of voice, brand sentiment, PR value, campaign reach, and stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare periodic communication reports and dashboards for senior leadership.
• Continuously evaluate emerging communication trends and recommend innovative approaches.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in mass communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English Literature, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in mass communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Journalism, or MBA from a reputed institution is preferred.
• Professional certifications in Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Brand Management, Digital Communications, Crisis Communications, or Strategic Communications will be an added advantage.
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in Brand Communications, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, or Integrated Marketing Communications.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing corporate communication strategies for luxury hospitality, luxury retail, travel, lifestyle, aviation, premium consumer brands, or corporate organizations.
• Proven experience managing executive communications, media relations, reputation management, and integrated communication campaigns.