Director of Communications & PR

The Dorchester; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Job Description

Join us as a Director of Communications and PR at The Dorchester Hotel, 45 Park Lane and Coworth Park, recently recognised as one of The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for in 2024. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and drives our success.

We care about your career and are known for having the absolute best people in the industry. When you join us as a Director of Communications and PR, you start a unique opportunity to become celebrated as the very best in your field. You'll learn not only from your fellow Legends but also through our award-winning learning academy, so that you can achieve the highest standards of craft, service, and leadership and become a legend in your own story.

What you'll do

As Director of Communications and PR for The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane, and Coworth Park, you will shape the public narrative, protect the reputation, and elevate the visibility of three of the UK’s most celebrated luxury hotels. You will lead on communications strategy, social media, partnerships, and media relations, telling stories that reflect the excellence and values of the Dorchester Collection. In this role, you will:

1. Develop and implement a cohesive communications and public relations strategy across the three UK properties, aligning with the brand's global vision and values.
2. Serve as the primary liaison for all media outlets, managing press enquiries, securing high-profile coverage, and protecting the hotels' reputations.
3. Maintain and nurture a network of journalists, editors, influencers, and luxury brand partners, ensuring continued positive exposure.
4. Oversee all social media strategy and influencer engagement, ensuring content is curated, brand-aligned, and designed to drive meaningful engagement.
5. Lead PR agencies both in-market and internationally to deliver strategic results and media coverage across all key markets.
6. Secure and manage partnership collaborations, ensuring brand alignment and mutual value, and creating 360 integrated campaigns that span PR, content, and events.
7. Collaborate closely with the marketing and leadership teams to ensure consistency across all communications channels and guest-facing messaging.
8. Identify opportunities for the hotels to participate in strategic sponsorships, high-profile events, and other visibility-enhancing initiatives.
9. Mentor and manage the communications team, fostering a high-performing culture and ensuring output reflects the highest editorial and creative standards.
10. Lead on crisis communications and reputation management, in alignment with the Dorchester Collection's corporate office.
11. Monitor industry trends and guest sentiment, using media insights to guide future communications strategy and maintain a proactive public presence.
12. Manage the annual PR and communications budget, ensuring all spend is optimised for reach, relevance, and long-term value.

You’ll be the architect of how the world experiences our brand, developing emotional connections and powerful storytelling that capture the spirit of three truly legendary hotels.

What you'll bring

Essential Skills and Experience

1. A robust set of media contacts, luxury brand connections, and high-profile influencer relationships.
2. Proven experience designing and delivering national and international PR campaigns in the luxury hospitality or lifestyle sector.
3. Expertise in social media leadership, reputation management, and influencer strategy.
4. Outstanding writing and editorial skills, with a sharp eye for detail and tone.
5. Strong team leadership experience with the ability to mentor, inspire, and guide communications professionals.
6. Comfortable leading on crisis communications, media response, and public positioning under pressure.
7. Deep understanding of luxury audiences and how to communicate with clarity, warmth, and sophistication.
8. Fluent in English, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills and Experiences

1. Experience working within a multi-property brand or international hotel group.
2. Background in luxury partnerships, event sponsorships, or brand collaborations.
3. Familiarity with analytics tools and PR reporting platforms, with the ability to translate insights into strategy.
4. A natural storyteller and brand guardian, with a passion for crafting narratives that reflect heritage, innovation, and elegance.

This is a role for a visionary communications leader with the experience, relationships, and passion to protect, position, and elevate some of the most iconic properties in the world. At Dorchester Collection, your voice will help shape our legacy and ensure it continues to resonate across continents, platforms, and generations.

What you'll get

1. Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
2. Discounts: Get 50% off food and beverages at selected bars and restaurants within the Dorchester Collection; enjoy Friends & Family stay discounts at our hotels; benefit from discounts at various high street and online shops.
3. Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Aviva Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension); benefit from Seasonal ticket loan, Rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and Eye care vouchers.
4. Training and Development: Advance in your career by accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5. We partner with outstanding nationally recognised Apprenticeship providers.
5. Social Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
6. Referral Bonus: Earn a £1000 bonus when you recommend a friend.
7. Well-being Support: Access immediate well-being advice because we care about our employees.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process (such as adjustments to how you apply, alternative formats of information, or adjustments to the assessment process itself), please do call the People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email so that we can discuss how we can support you through this process.