Chief Communications Officer

### Description

The AHLA Chief Communications Officer (CCO) serves as a key member of the AHLA senior leadership team, overseeing all aspects of AHLA’s and the AHLA Foundation’s internal and external communications functions. The CCO is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to elevate AHLA’s visibility, amplify its influence, and drive meaningful impact, while showcasing a compelling narrative about the industry’s contributions and value. This role requires a dynamic, strategic leader with expertise in media relations, public affairs and campaign execution, content creation, and crisis communication, as well as the ability to manage, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team. This role reports to the President and CEO and will interact with the Officers and Board of Directors.

### Responsibilities

• Strategic vision setting and organizational leadership.
• Advisor to the CEO and communications liaison to the Officers and Board of Directors.
• Oversee all aspects of the internal and external communications functions of AHLA and the AHLA Foundation, including:
  • Brand management and brand awareness
  • Media relations
  • Internal and member communications
  • Campaign strategy, management, and execution
  • Crisis and issues management
  • Association messaging
  • Event communications
  • Thought leadership
  • Research and polling
  • Spokesperson training
  • Social media
• Establish and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with AHLA’s mission, vision, and goals and provides value to its members.
• Design and execute high-impact, creative communications campaigns with compelling messaging employing earned, paid, and owned media to build favorable perceptions of AHLA and the hospitality industry and support AHLA’s public policy agenda.
• Establish processes to measure the effectiveness of communications campaigns and activities.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of organizational messages, and provide ongoing messaging guidance for key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Build and lead a high-performing team to implement tactics and plans in support of overall communications strategies.
• Alongside AHLA’s CEO, serve as a public spokesperson for AHLA, and when required, for the industry more broadly.
• Work collaboratively across AHLA teams to ensure cohesive messaging and strategic alignment.
• Partner with the marketing function to ensure timely and relevant communication to AHLA members.
• Establish strong relationships of trust and confidence with media, industry influencers, and key stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Build strong ties with communications leaders at member companies.
• Oversee the design and management of internal and external communication materials, including printed publications, press releases, op-eds, newsletters, thought leadership, speeches, and online content.
• Manage all vendor/agency/contractor relationships supporting the communications function.
• Oversee the communications budget and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.

### Requirements

• Senior communications executive with 25+ years of experience.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong media relations experience with top-tier national business media, trade press, and social media outlets, with a network of established contacts and a record of building relationships of trust and confidence with the media.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful, multi-channel communications strategies.
• Ability to translate complex industry issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Ability to make decisions and provide advice and counsel to senior executives in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Creative thinker willing to take smart, strategic risks.
• Collaborative leader with experience building, developing, and inspiring a team of high-performing professionals.
• Experience building, managing, and leading teams.
• Highly networked in Washington; politically sophisticated.
• Hill and agency experience a must, as well as running national campaigns that drive results.
• Deep experience working with other industry or professional associations.

### Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home
• Free Food & Snacks

### Other

• Position based in Washington, DC.
• Hybrid schedule – employees work in the office three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday).
• Moderate to significant travel is required.
• AHLA is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow, and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

EOE

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