At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape IHG's story through impactful external communications and media strategies.
- Company: Join a leading global hotel company with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving IHG's European growth journey.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in hospitality while collaborating with experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: Significant communications experience, strong media relations, and exceptional storytelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
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 a 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 outside our business. If you’re ready to make your mark with a global hospitality leader that celebrates your ideas and empowers your growth; apply today and help us bring IHG’s ambitions to life.
Closing date for applications 15th September 2026.
External Communications Manager (Europe) employer: IHG
At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions leadership development and workforce capability. Our inclusive work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, providing employees with unparalleled growth opportunities in a dynamic global environment. With a focus on AI-enabled learning solutions and a commitment to shaping future-ready leaders, IHG offers a meaningful and rewarding career path for those passionate about transforming the hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land External Communications Manager (Europe)
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like IHG. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like IHG, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research IHG inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace External Communications Manager (Europe)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of IHG. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at IHG.
How to prepare for a job interview at IHG
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
