FLEX Director, Brand Management, Ritz Carlton Reserve

Marriott International · Bethesda

This is a temporary position.

The assignment duration is approximately 24 months.

JOB SUMMARY

Marriott International’s Luxury Group is seeking a strategic and visionary Director, Brand Management – Ritz-Carlton Reserve to lead a portfolio of critical, time-bound brand initiatives. This role is responsible for driving high-impact strategic projects designed to strengthen Ritz-Carlton Reserve's global positioning, support portfolio growth, evolve the branded guest experience, and establish the frameworks necessary to guide future development and expansion.

As Marriott continues to expand the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio globally, this role will focus on defining and advancing the next phase of brand evolution. Key priorities include refining the Reserve brand strategy, developing a future-state guest experience framework, creating scalable brand activation resources for future openings, establishing brand architecture and growth frameworks, and supporting strategic initiatives related to Ritz-Carlton's urban expansion. The role will also help ensure clear differentiation between Ritz-Carlton Reserve and our other ultra-luxury brands.

This is a project-based and time-bound role with clearly defined deliverables and outcomes. Success will be measured by the completion and implementation of strategic initiatives that are transitioned to ongoing ownership within Brand, Operations, Development, Marketing, and Continent teams at the conclusion of the assignment.

The ideal candidate will possess deep luxury hospitality experience, exceptional strategic thinking capabilities, strong cross-functional leadership skills, and a passion for creating highly differentiated luxury guest experiences.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

Required

4-year degree from an accredited university in Business, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
6+ years of experience in luxury brand management, hospitality, operations, or related disciplines.
Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional strategic initiatives.
Experience developing global brand positioning, guest experience frameworks, and growth strategies.
Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and influence senior stakeholders.
Strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.

Preferred
Experience supporting luxury hotel development, openings, or brand transformation initiatives.
Deep understanding of luxury consumer trends and evolving guest expectations.
Experience leveraging consumer insights and market research to inform strategic decision-making.
Experience collaborating across global teams and multiple stakeholder groups.
Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Brand Strategy and Portfolio Growth

Lead the evolution of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve global brand strategy, positioning, and experience guardrails to inform future development and brand decisions.
Develop strategic recommendations supporting Ritz-Carlton Reserve growth, urban expansion priorities, and alignment with Development and Design teams.
Create brand architecture frameworks that strengthen differentiation across Marriott International's luxury portfolio.

Guest Experience Innovation

Lead development and implementation of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Guest Experience Framework, including signature experience pillars, service rituals, and standards unique to Reserve.
Partner with Operations and Consumer Operations teams to pilot and implement enhanced guest experiences.
Ensure experiences remain authentic to the Reserve brand promise while supporting future portfolio growth.

Growth and Opening Enablement

Develop scalable brand activation, opening resources, frameworks, and best practices to support future Reserve openings and long-term use by continent and property teams.
Partner with Global Opening Teams to ensure branded experience elements are successfully introduced during pre-opening and launch periods.

Cross-Functional Brand Leadership

Collaborate with Global Marketing, Public Relations, Consumer Operations, Development, Design, and Continent teams to ensure strategic brand marketing initiatives are implemented consistently.
Provide brand guidance and strategic direction across assigned workstreams, including marketing campaigns, communications, partnerships, and guest experience initiatives.
Advocate the brand's strategic vision with ownership groups, advisory boards, and key stakeholders.

Brand Performance and Governance

Establish brand health and guest experience measurement frameworks to track initiative progress, outcomes, and business impact.
Evaluate consumer insights, market trends, and competitive dynamics to inform strategic recommendations.
Deliver final strategic recommendations, governance models, and implementation resources for transition to permanent teams at the conclusion of the assignment.

At the conclusion of the two-year assignment, the role will have successfully delivered:

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Global Brand Strategy and Growth Roadmap.
Global Reserve Guest Experience Framework and implementation resources.
Reserve Opening and Brand Activation Toolkit.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Brand Architecture and Growth Enablement Framework.
Ritz-Carlton Urban Reserve Expansion and Portfolio Differentiation Strategy.
Reserve Brand Health Measurement Dashboard and Governance Process.
Transition of all frameworks, tools, resources, and governance models to permanent Brand, Operations, Marketing, Development, and Continent teams.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

All locations offer 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts. Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click here to learn more.

Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, and paid parental leave.

Washington Applicants Only: Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.0384 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive minimum of 9 holidays annually.

Marriott Headquarters (HQ) supports a hybrid work environment that helps associates Be Connected. HQ based roles are generally hybrid and require regular in-office presence at the assigned location, including for candidates who live within commuting distance of HQ for a role listed as remote. Remote roles will be clearly identified in the job posting.

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