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, and 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, printed publications, press releases, op-eds, newsletters, thought leadership, speeches, and online content.
- Manage all vendor/agency/contractor relationships supporting communications function.
- Oversee the communications budget and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.