Director of Marketing & Communications

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS

Reports to: SVP of Brand + Marketing, this position is exempt

WHO WE ARE

Aparium Hotel Group is a leading hotel company founded and led by experienced professionals in hotel development, management, and marketing. We share one defining belief: great hotels should be destinations sought out by travelers and favorite gathering places for locals. We call this philosophy Trans-local Hospitality.

Our passion and expertise center on independent hotels, resorts, and restaurants in distinct cities and unique resort destinations. We believe every property should be a brand in its own right-a true celebration of its independent identity and setting.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We''re seeking a strategic, hands-on marketing and communications leader to shape the next chapter of Aparium''s growth.

As Director of Marketing & Communications, you''ll lead integrated marketing, public relations, content, campaigns, and communications across our portfolio of independent hotels and restaurants. You''ll guide the guest journey from first impression through lifelong loyalty, ensuring every marketing effort drives awareness, reputation, engagement, and revenue.

This role is ideal for someone who is equally comfortable developing high-level strategy and executing against it. You''re a storyteller, relationship builder, brand steward, and marketing operator who thrives in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.

Based in our Chicago headquarters, you''ll partner closely with hotel leadership, corporate teams, agency partners, and senior executives to elevate our brands and support portfolio performance.

WHAT YOU''LL DO

Lead Integrated Marketing Strategy

• Develop and oversee portfolio-wide marketing and communications strategies across paid, owned, earned, and shared channels.
• Establish channel plans, content frameworks, campaign calendars, and performance metrics.
• Define KPIs and measure marketing effectiveness in partnership with revenue and commercial teams.
• Identify opportunities to optimize performance, guest engagement, and brand awareness.

Drive Content, Campaigns & Brand Storytelling

• Create compelling brand narratives across digital, social, web, email, video, and media channels.
• Oversee content development, creative production, and external creative partnerships.
• Collaborate across teams to execute integrated campaigns that support hotel and restaurant business goals.
• Build and evolve portfolio-wide email marketing, database growth, and audience segmentation strategies.

Lead Public Relations & Media Engagement

• Develop and execute the public relations strategy for Aparium and its portfolio brands.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with travel, hospitality, and lifestyle media.
• Manage agency partners and evaluate performance through measurable outcomes.
• Lead award submission strategies and identify opportunities to increase brand visibility and recognition.
• Support reputation management, media training, and crisis communication preparedness.

Support New Openings & Brand Growth

• Lead go-to-market marketing and communication plans for hotel openings and significant brand initiatives.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to manage pre-opening marketing activities.
• Support repositioning and performance improvement initiatives across the portfolio.
• Ensure brand consistency and integrity across all guest touchpoints.

Inspire & Develop Teams

• Lead and mentor field marketing managers and agency partners.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Build strong relationships with hotel General Managers and operational leaders across the organization.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Experience

• Bachelor''s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, and public relations.
• 3+ years of experience leading marketing efforts across multiple hotel properties or markets.
• Experience within luxury, lifestyle, boutique, or independent hospitality brands.
• Restaurant, food & beverage, or lifestyle brand marketing experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing agencies, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Skills & Expertise

• Strong understanding of integrated marketing, public relations, content strategy, and brand development.
• Established media relationships within travel, lifestyle, and hospitality sectors.
• Experience utilizing marketing analytics and customer data to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with CRM and email marketing platforms such as Revinate or similar solutions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation abilities.

LEADERSHIP STYLE

You are:

• Strategic yet highly execution-focused.
• Curious, collaborative, and solutions-oriented.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change.
• Data-informed while remaining creatively driven.
• A relationship builder who leads with humility, accountability, and trust.
• Passionate about developing people and driving meaningful results

Salary Range: $125,000 to $150,000

Benefits: Aparium offers a variety of benefits to include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, commuter benefits, discounted parking, travel benefits and more.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees to ensure they feel a sense of belonging. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.