Internal Communications & Events Manager

Choice Hotels International, Inc.; North Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement benefits

Employee recognition programs

Hotel discounts worldwide

Job summary

Choice Hotels International, Inc. in North Bethesda, Maryland, seeks an Internal Communications & Events Manager to lead strategic employee communications and high-impact internal events, connecting team members to company priorities, culture, and goals.

This role develops and executes communication strategies for enterprise initiatives, executive messaging, change management efforts, and employee engagement programs while producing engaging internal events and experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Event Management, or related field with 5+ years in internal or corporate communications.
• 3+ years leading strategy, planning, and execution for internal events or employee programs.
• Excellent writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation development skills.
• Strong project management and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement internal communications strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Lead executive communications, culture initiatives, and enterprise-wide messaging.
• Plan and execute internal events including leadership meetings, town halls, and recognition programs.
• Manage budgets, vendors, timelines, and run-of-show documentation.
• Advise leaders on messaging, timing, and channel selection.

Skills

Communication strategy

Executive communications

Storytelling

Editing/writing

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Master's degree (Preferred)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Internal Communications & Events Manager leads strategic employee communications and high-impact internal events that connect team members to company priorities, culture, and business goals. This role develops and executes communication strategies for enterprise initiatives, executive messaging, change management efforts, and employee engagement programs while producing engaging internal events and experiences. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, storyteller, and project leader who can translate complex information into clear, compelling messages and deliver exceptional employee experiences that drive engagement and business results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communications Strategy & Planning Develop and execute internal communication strategies that advance business priorities, organizational initiatives, and employee engagement goals. Partner with leaders and key stakeholders to create communication plans aligned with company objectives and audience needs. Craft clear, compelling messaging and communication materials for a variety of employee audiences. Lead executive communications, organizational announcements, culture initiatives, and enterprise-wide messaging efforts. Develop communication frameworks, toolkits, and resources that enable leaders to communicate effectively and consistently. Evaluate communication effectiveness and recommend improvements based on business outcomes and employee feedback.
• Campaign Development & Associate Engagement Lead integrated communication campaigns that support key business initiatives, organizational change efforts, and employee experience programs. Design multi-channel communication strategies that increase awareness, understanding, and engagement. Partner with stakeholders to identify audience needs, objectives, and success measures. Monitor campaign performance and leverage insights to continuously improve future communications.
• Internal Events & Production Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of internal events, including leadership meetings, town halls, recognition programs, and employee engagement experiences. Collaborate with business leaders to define event objectives, key messages, and desired outcomes. Manage event budgets, timelines, project plans, vendors, and production schedules. Develop event content, executive presentations, speaker materials, communication plans, and run-of-show documentation. Coordinate internal teams and external partners to deliver seamless, high-quality event experiences. Ensure events reinforce company culture and support broader business and communication objectives.
• Operational Communications & Incident Response Serve as the lead communications partner during employee-impacting operational issues and business disruptions. Assess communication needs, recommend response strategies, and deliver timely, accurate updates during rapidly evolving situations. Manage communications related to office closures, severe weather, facilities issues, technology disruptions, safety matters, and other operational events. Maintain communication tools, templates, and processes that support effective incident response and business continuity communications. Demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and composure under pressure.
• Strategic Partnership & Communications Counsel Advise leaders and stakeholders on communication strategy, change management, messaging, timing, audience engagement, and channel selection. Lead communications planning for high-profile initiatives requiring coordinated, cross-functional support. Partner closely with Human Resources and other business functions to align employee-facing communications and initiatives. Build strong relationships across the organization to identify communication opportunities and improve overall communication effectiveness. Champion strategic, enterprise-wide communication approaches that drive greater consistency and business impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Event Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. 5+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, employee communications, or a related field. 3+ years of experience leading communication strategy, planning, and execution for internal events, employee engagement programs, or organizational initiatives. Demonstrated success managing communication campaigns and events from strategy through delivery. Experience supporting executive communications, change communications, and time-sensitive operational communications. Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation development skills. Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder management capabilities. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong visual and creative judgment with an understanding of brand standards and audience engagement best practices.
• Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Organizational Communication, Marketing, or a related field. Experience in hospitality, travel, entertainment, media, retail, or other customer-centric industries. Experience managing large-scale employee events, leadership meetings, conferences, or recognition programs. Experience working with external agencies, creative partners, production companies, or event vendors. Experience with employee engagement platforms, collaboration tools, or internal communications technology.

COMPENSATION & SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: $99,919 to $117,000 annually This role is also eligible for an annual bonus under Choice’s Management Incentive Plan (MIP). Pay ranges listed are what Choice Hotels reasonably expects to pay. Actual pay may be higher or lower and ranges may be adjusted in the future. Pay positioning within the range is influenced by factors including-but not limited to- education, experience, skills, certifications, performance, geographic location, business needs, seniority, and travel requirements.

WORK LOCATION & HYBRID SCHEDULE

This position is based at Choice Hotels International’s corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland. Regular onsite presence at this location is required. Associates are expected to follow the established hybrid work schedule, working onsite Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays.

RELOCATION & SPONSORSHIP

Please note that relocation assistance is not available for this position. Additionally, Choice Hotels is not able to provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this role.

BENEFITS

Choice prioritizes our associate wellbeing by offering a comprehensive benefits program that is both competitive and flexible to help you achieve your wellbeing goals - here are just a few:

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide

ABOUT CHOICE

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With 7,500 hotels in 45+ countries and territories, we offer a range of high-quality lodging options in the upper upscale, upper midscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy segments. We’re the hotel company for those who choose to bet on themselves - the striver, the dreamer, the entrepreneur - because that’s who we are, too. At Choice, we are united by the simple belief that tomorrow will be even better than today - for associates, our company, and our franchisees. At our worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland, at our technology center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and through our associates around the globe, every voice is heard and every idea is listened to, no matter what area of the company they come from. We are united in supporting the entrepreneurial dreams of our thousands of franchise owners, which propels us forward - giving our work at Choice a purpose larger than our business. Our corporate office locations: North Bethesda, MD - Located at Pike & Rose, our worldwide headquarters is less than 15 miles from Washington, D.C., one block away from the North Bethesda Metro station, with easy access to I-495, complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail. Scottsdale, AZ - Located at the northwest corner of Loop 101, the Scottsdale office is home to our technology, eCommerce and customer service organizations, with easy access to complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail. Minneapolis, MN - Select roles are based in our Minneapolis office on Highway 394, near the intersection with Highway 100, only five minutes from downtown. Field/Remote - Select roles designated as field/remote will require associates to work from a home office, connecting virtually with Choice team members and leadership on Zoom, with possible required travel depending on the role.

Choice’s Cultural Values

Welcome and Respect Everyone | Be Bold | Be Quick | Listen | Be Curious | Show Integrity

Choice’s Leadership Principles

Act with Intention | Lead with Authenticity | Grow & Deliver

CONNECT THE WORLD THROUGH THE POWER OF HOSPITALITY

We bring together the people, brand and technology that enable the success of others - welcoming every guest, every partner, everywhere their journey takes them.

Visit http://careers.choicehotels.com to learn more.