Marriott Vacations Worldwide (MVW) is seeking a dynamic, communications professional to join a newly created Global Communications Center of Excellence that is focused on leading holistic and integrated communications strategy that builds brand and business reputation and maximizes impact among key stakeholders.

Reporting to the Director, Associate Communications, this role requires a professional with experience in internal communications, digital communications and tech platforms and business solutions. The role requires a strategic approach to internal, digital solutions and email communications, including creative process and performance metrics.

The role will be a key contributor to creating a digital workplace communications strategy, inclusive of the launch of a common intranet and other digital tools to reach employee audiences. Playing a key role, in partnership with the Director, Associate Communications, in the common intranet launch, the Associate Director will work with IT stakeholders on the production, maintenance, and system upgrades to demonstrate our digital leadership and cultivate an engaged workforce. This individual must have a passion and fluency in technology to evolve and transform the way a company executes internal communications to MVW’s various brand and business associates.

The position is responsible for the execution of the day-to-day delivery of technology-enabled solutions and communications activities to ensure alignment of messages from the company and all of its businesses to our global associate audience.  Using digital workplace solutions, this individual will create a sense of community among the company’s field-based associates so experience working with a dispersed workforce is also beneficial.

Success requires excellent oral and written communication skills, a strong IT and digital infrastructure background, a solution-focused spirit, an ability to be a self-starter and serve as an integrator and trusted advisor.  The candidate should have a track record of developing talent.  This position will be a trusted advisor and will work cross-functionally to support business leaders in corporate functions and MVW’s brands and business to deliver results.

Expected Contributions

TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITALCOMMUNICATIONS EXECUTION AND MEASUREMENT (50%)

• Partner with IT leadership, user experience and cyber security teams to create, coordinate, and produce clear, compelling communications that help employees leverage digital tools to do their jobs most efficiently, effectively, and safely and help the company achieve business results
• Serving as the user experience lead for MVW’s common intranet, regularly analyzing performance data to optimize the site experience for associates.
• Build and iterate on the IT communications strategy and plan, forecasting communications needs and streamlining requests to deliver high-quality communications as efficiently as possible
• Develop, manage, and publish IT communications including email announcements, videos, presentations, meetings/webinars, and more, ensuring content has the right message and is delivered in the right format to resonate with the target audience
• Collaborating with web experience team on maintaining and optimizing corporate web pages and channels to increase engagement based on performance analytics.
• Plan, lead and manage a portfolio of digital tools and solutions to ensure goals and objectives of each project are accomplished within prescribed time frames and budgets
• Integrate project activities with other IT functions such as data security, network operations, etc. to ensure successful project implementation on new channels and associate forums
• Ensure technical designs are forward-looking to envision potential future requirements and business needs thus ensuring solutions are flexible and extensible
• Identify and refresh IT organizational communication needs and design delivery systems to achieve objectives to the IT organization and MVW.
• Target and reach associates using technology and tools that enable collaboration and easy of use.
• Identify IT solutions that simplify how associates access critical information to do their jobs more effectively.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT (35%)

• Identify solutions and utilize technology to streamline communications protocols and best practices.
• Assist in developing a data governance approach, in partnership with other stakeholders,  that delivers trusted data at the speed the business requires.
• Use technology to collect ideas, examples, tools and recommendations from associates to strengthen organization
• Monitor trends to protect MVW assets and associates while identifying new ways to engage associates through digital communication apps.
• Solves and makes decisions on business requests that have broader department impact and/or moderate risk.  Present alternative solutions to business issues by leveraging the broader organization.
• Increase capabilities of the organization by advancing digital workplace solutions.
• Create annual business plans for organization
• Accesses and synthesizes data from a variety of sources to formulate informed viewpoints on organizational issues on which he/she is called in to support.

TEAM AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (15%)

• Maintain a focus on elevating team’s ability to think broadly and holistically about communications plans from concept to completion.
• Develop, lead and inspire the team, each responsible for defining and delivering communications and branded experiences.
• Create and foster career development and growth paths for team in alignment with company and personal objectives.
• Provide leadership expertise for initiatives within the assigned functional assignment (includes planning, implementation & evaluation).
• Educate and advise technology spokespeople in effective technology messaging and delivery.
• Assists internal communications team in achieving business results, including the evolution of corporate events, functions and meetings/town halls
• Support IT leaders and governance groups in developing and delivering key communication related messages to a variety of audiences.
• Drive and develop methods for assessing IT associate knowledge and satisfaction surrounding MVW’s IT processes, products, and services.

Candidate Profile(the education, experience, skills and attributes that are important for this position)

Education

• BA or BS Degree in Journalism, Communications, Talent/Organizational Development, or Human Resources.
• Change Management Professional and/or Project Manager certification preferred.
• Experience with information technology preferred.

Technical Skills

Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Apple Keynote, proficient with Apple operating system, survey tools

Travel Requirements

Travel required. Approximately 10% of time

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in related field.
• Proven experience delivering effective communications that deliver against our strategies, on time, on budget.
• Timeshare/hospitality/lodging industry experience a plus; MVW-specific knowledge an advantage.
• Prior experience leading or supporting IT communications a plus

Skills/Attributes

• Experience performing live training sessions for internal and external stakeholders during system and process implementation.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and Sharepoint intranet sites
• Experience managing and growing an online community as moderator, author, curator or message board admin.
• Experience partnering with IT stakeholders to install, configure and/or manage plugins that provide additional integration, presentation or collaboration functionality with the intranet.
• Strong ability to synthesize large amounts of information and turn them into actionable insights or communications programs.
• Proven client-facing role experience working with teams on large scale, long-term projects.
• Proficient in digital communications solutions and strategies
• Excellent oral communication, writing and presentation skills with experience presenting to all levels throughout the organization.
• Ability to gracefully handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate attitude with willingness and enthusiasm to own your own growth.
• Excellent active listening skills
• Strong consulting skills with proven ability of interfacing with senior business leaders.
• Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences and establish and maintain strong relationships and influence others and move toward a common vision or goal
• Ability to establish credibility in subject matter areas and influence at all levels of the business.
• Measurement skills related to assessment of information, initiatives, and strategies.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations
• Forward looking with a holistic approach
• Organized with a natural inclination for planning strategy and tactics
• Problem solving and root cause identification skills
• High degree of integrity in dealing with sensitive business information.
• Must be a team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others
• Acute business acumen including MVW’s unique culture and an understanding of organizational issues and challenges.
• Demonstrated passion for our associates and our Company’s vision, mission, and values.