Europe External Communications Manager

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

IHG Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Communications Manager (External Communications) to join the Europe Corporate Affairs team at our Global Headquarters in Windsor, UK. This role shapes external messaging and supports media relations across Europe, reporting to the Europe Corporate Affairs leadership in a hands-on, fast-paced environment.

You will partner with market leadership, manage external comms plans, oversee agencies, craft thought leadership, and advise senior stakeholders on risk and

Qualifications

• Significant communications experience, focusing on external disciplines, ideally with agency experience.
• Proven success in a complex, matrixed corporate environment, ideally with B2B or hospitality experience.
• Strong media relations and crisis-handling skills.
• Exceptional written communication and storytelling ability in English (additional European languages a plus).
• Experience leading agencies, managing budgets, and running end-to-end external communication campaigns in high-pace environments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business Unit and Market Leadership to bring key European growth priorities to life through an external narrative that elevates IHG’s position in priority markets across Europe.
• Act as the go-to for external communications in Europe - advising senior leadership on external messaging, media strategies, risk and reputation.
• Identify and oversee external speaking opportunities for key spokespeople that build awareness of IHG’s initiatives across key media markets and manage senior spokespeople briefings.
• Facilitate external comms activity, including media and panel briefs, at leading industry events, and work closely with Hotel Development and Development Communications & Events teams.
• Manage external communications plans and materials, including press materials, and help manage the busy Europe press office.
• Manage up to four PR agencies across Europe to ensure best-in-class strategy, delivery, and performance against IHG’s brand and reputation goals.
• Develop thought leadership platforms for Europe’s senior leaders through strategic storytelling and LinkedIn programmes
• Collaborate with your wider Global Corporate Affairs colleagues to feed into 360 market- and business-wide communications campaigns and initiatives
• Play an active role in crisis communications management as part of a trusted regional team, including being part of an Out-of-Hours on call rota.
• Collaborate with EMEAA and Global Corporate Affairs colleagues to deliver aligned and impactful communications that ladder up to our regional strategy.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis management

Agency management

Budget management

Storytelling

Stakeholder advisory

English writing

Job description

Inspire Growth. Protect and Enhance Reputation. Tell the Story of IHG’s Next Chapter.

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we're shaping the future of hospitality, and we're looking for an Communications Manager specializing in External Communications, to join our Europe Corporate Affairs team at our Global Headquarters in Windsor.

This is an exciting opportunity to build your communications career at one of the world's leading hotel companies. You'll gain exposure to a global business with more than one million hotel rooms worldwide, while playing a key role in Europe, one of IHG's largest regions, spanning more than 40 countries and nearly 1,000 open hotels.

Working alongside a supportive team of experienced communications professionals, you'll help tell the stories that shape how IHG is seen by our hotel owners, partners, media and external stakeholders. From corporate communications and media relations to issues management and events, you'll have the chance to make a real impact while learning from senior leaders and experienced colleagues across the business.

If you're curious, proactive and ready for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Your day-to-day

• Partner with Business Unit and Market Leadership to bring key European growth priorities to life through an external narrative that elevates IHG’s position in priority markets across Europe.
• Act as the go-to for external communications in Europe - advising senior leadership (including regional MDs) on external messaging, media strategies, risk and reputation.
• Identify and oversee external speaking opportunities for key spokespeople that build awareness of IHG’s initiatives across key media markets and manage senior spokespeople briefings — from the UK & Ireland and Germany to France, Spain and beyond.
• Facilitate external comms activity, including media and panel briefs, at leading industry events, and work closely with Hotel Development and Development Communications & Events teams.
• Manage external communications plans and materials, including press materials (press releases, Q&A decks, spokesperson briefing notes), and help manage the busy Europe press office.
• Manage up to four PR agencies across Europe to ensure best-in-class strategy, delivery, and performance against IHG’s brand and reputation goals.
• Develop thought leadership platforms for Europe’s senior leaders through strategic storytelling and LinkedIn programmes
• Collaborate with your wider Global Corporate Affairs colleagues to feed into 360 market- and business-wide communications campaigns and initiatives
• Play an active role in crisis communications management as part of a trusted regional team, including being part of an Out-of-Hours on call rota.
• Collaborate with EMEAA and Global Corporate Affairs colleagues to deliver aligned and impactful communications that ladder up to our regional strategy.

What We Need From You

• Significant communications experience, focusing on external disciplines, ideally with agency experience.
• Proven success in a complex, matrixed corporate environment, ideally with B2B or hospitality experience.
• Strong media relations and crisis-handling skills.
• Exceptional written communication and storytelling ability in English (additional European languages a plus).
• Confidence and judgment to advise senior stakeholders and influence at every level.
• Experience leading agencies, managing budgets, and running end-to-end external communication campaigns in high-pace environments.
• A collaborative mindset — someone who brings people together, aligns messages, and builds engagement through clear, authentic communication.

You’ll join a passionate Corporate Affairs team at the heart of IHG’s European growth journey, supporting strategic priorities, driving engagement, and helping shape how our story is told in outside our business.

Closing date for applications 15th September 2026

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At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You’ll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there’s Room for You at IHG.

Over recent years, we’ve transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love.

We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That’s why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that’s why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate.

We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.