Europe External Communications Lead — Hybrid

InterContinental Hotels Group; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

IHG Hotels & Resorts in Windsor is seeking a Communications Manager specializing in External Communications to join the Europe Corporate Affairs team at our Global Headquarters. You will shape external messaging, manage media relations, and lead multi-market communications programs across Europe.

You will partner with regional leadership, manage agencies, and contribute to crisis communications, events, and thought leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in external communications, ideally with agency background.
• Proven success in a complex, matrixed corporate environment, ideally in B2B or hospitality.
• Strong media relations and crisis-handling skills.
• Excellent written communication and storytelling in English; additional languages a plus.
• Ability to advise senior stakeholders with confidence and sound judgment.
• Experience leading agencies, managing budgets, and running end-to-end external campaigns in fast-paced environments.
• Collaborative mindset, aligning messages and engaging stakeholders with authentic communication.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business Unit and Market Leadership to bring European growth priorities to life through an external narrative that elevates IHG’s position.
• Advise senior leadership on external messaging, media strategies, risk and reputation in Europe.
• Identify and oversee external speaking opportunities for spokespeople across key markets (UK & Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, etc.).
• Facilitate external comms activity at events, coordinating with Hotel Development and Development Communications & Events teams.
• Manage external communications plans and materials, including press releases, Q&A decks, and briefing notes.
• Oversee up to four PR agencies across Europe to ensure strategy and delivery meet brand goals.
• Develop thought leadership platforms for Europe’s senior leaders via storytelling and LinkedIn programs.
• Collaborate with Global Corporate Affairs to feed into 360 campaigns and regional initiatives.
• Play an active role in crisis communications as part of a regional team, including on-call rota.

Skills

External communications

Agency experience

Media relations

Crisis management

Executive advising

Campaign leadership

Collaborative communication

Job description

IHG Hotels & Resorts in Windsor is seeking a Communications Manager specializing in External Communications to join the Europe Corporate Affairs team at our Global Headquarters. You will shape external messaging, manage media relations, and lead multi-market communications programs across Europe.

You will partner with regional leadership, manage agencies, and contribute to crisis communications, events, and thought leadership.