Head of Marketing

Located within York’s city walls and with views of York Minster, the hotel holds an enviable and proud position in the city and local community. Once the famed Headquarters of the North-eastern Railway Company, our magnificent building is bursting with original features and all the grandeur of its former life as the “Palace of Business” - making it a truly beautiful and inspiring place to work and grow.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Evolve the Grand into one of the UK’s leading 5-star resort hotels

• Be the voice of the customer – both current and aspirational, in all product and guest related development initiatives – from new bedroom design to Tanner Row design and integration, to creating a best-in-class F&B product.
• Drive awareness, consideration, and preference through effective PR activity
• Delivery the new SubRosa Spa launch plan and create strategy to strengthen the brand throughout 2026.
• Champion The Grand’s brand evolution, by developing the ‘Future Guest Proposition’ alongside Head of Marketing – Hotels, Group Marketing Director, and General Manager.
• Ensure the hotel is ahead of the curve with any new trends or expectations that contribute to overall Guest Experience.
Commercial Strategy & Delivery
• Build The Grand Marketing Strategy in collaboration with HOM – Hotels and deliver a localised plan that supports overall objectives.
• Partner with Director of Sales and Director Revenue to identify risk and opportunities – together drive occupancy and revenue across all outlets within The Grand.
o Manage marketing budgets, ensuring activity is cost-effective, measurable, and delivers clear ROI.

Campaign Management & Brand Execution
• Drive direct consumer demand by optimising the website for user experience, and conversion, using engaging content, and best-in-class functionality to ensure increases in direct bookings, for stays and ancillary experiences
• Develop and deliver 360⁰ marketing campaigns that drive demand across all hotel segments whilst maintaining The Grand’s brand Integrity.
• Oversee content creation, digital presence, and PR activity, as well as deploy monitor and optimise paid media, ensuring consistency and quality across all touchpoints
• Leverage the CRM database to drive TREVpar loyalty and repeat business.

Digital & Data Insight
• Maintain and optimise all digital listings, website content, and relevant third-party platforms to maximise visibility and conversion.
• Produce monthly performance reports, analysing results against objectives, budgets, and key performance indicators.

Leadership & Collaboration
• Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to the on-site marketing team, ensuring clear priorities and accountability.
• Act as the property’s marketing expert within the Leadership Team, contributing to strategic discussions and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with group marketing colleagues and external partners to share insight and deliver best practice.

Skills & Attributes
• Commercially focussed with the ability to create marketing campaigns that drive performance and revenue.
• Creative and innovative thinker with a passion for luxury brand storytelling.
• Analytical mindset, comfortable interpreting data and presenting insight to support decision making.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills – ability to engage and inspire across all levels.
• Highly organised with strong project management and time management skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep understanding of digital marketing channels, including social media, CRM, SEO/SEM, and paid media.
• Enthusiastic team player who embodies The Grand’s values and commitment to guest experience

What We Offer

The Grand, York is proud to provide our team with a variety of benefits to enhance and drive engagement. We believe in consistent and tangible reward and recognition initiatives, and we put health and wellbeing firmly at the heart of our employer brand. Joining The Grand, York is not just a career, but a deeply rewarding journey with limitless opportunities to develop and grow.

• Fully funded and supported Apprenticeship programmes up to level 7
• Supervisory and Management development training programmes, Ignite and Inspire.
• Splendid Family discounts across our group - on accommodation, food and drink.
• Enjoy being creative with friends and family with a 50% discount on cookery classes in our Grand Cookery School
• We operate a monthly Grand Family shop, where you can buy bulk items to help with the cost of living.
• Discounted local NCP car parking and discount off local First bus travel.
• Experience our hotel as a guest with a complimentary guest experience for you and a guest within your 90-day probation period
• Monthly pay day treats and an annual ‘Thank You’ week – full of treats and activities.
• We celebrate our diverse workforce with awareness days and diversity lunches.
• Visit York discounts to visit local attractions and experience what our wonderful city has to offer.
• We love to recognise our Grand Family through Grand Star of The Month, Grand Celebrity of The Week, Probation Pass lunch and Long Service recognition dinner. Enjoy our annual Grand Family party, with many other social events throughout the year.
• Company Pension salary sacrifice scheme.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme through Green Commute Initiative to support health and wellbeing and our environment.
• Make a difference and join our Grand Goes Green Team, our Grand Plans Team to help organise our social events and raise funds for our nominated charities. There is also opportunity to represent your department in our Grand Family Forum.
• Fully funded and supported ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• 12 Mental Health First Aiders onsite to provide signposting and initial support.
• Retail Trust Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to give free, confidential 24-hour support and advice whenever you may need it.
• Employee referral scheme - refer a friend or family member and receive a £350 incentive payment.
• No split shifts, 2 days off together.
• Complimentary light breakfast, lunch, and dinner whilst on shift as well as complimentary tea, coffee and fruit.

About Us

The Grand is York’s only five-star hotel, situated in the very heart of the historic city. The property offers a splendid blend of Victorian elegance and modern sophistication and is known worldwide as a beacon of hospitality excellence. We are honoured to have been awarded the ‘Hotel of the Year’ Catey and we are also absolutely delighted to be named in The Sunday Times top 100 ‘Best Places to Work 2023’.

Along with our 207 guest bedrooms, we boast an award-winning rosette restaurant, The Rise, which holds the Conde Naste 2022 award for Best Afternoon Tea. In addition to this, our new fine dining restaurant, Legacy, provides the opportunity to elevate our dining offering and become leaders in the York food scene. We have a state-of-the-art Cookery School, are home to an atmospheric Spa, stunning Meeting and Event spaces and an In-Room Dining offering. Each day is unique and memorable at The Grand and we live to create special memories for our guests and our team.

Our vision is to be the UK’s most loved hotel. We pride ourselves on our values. We place emphasis on driving for results in all areas of the business, excellence in everything we do and genuine care for our Grand family, guests, and the environment.

Role in our Family

The Head of Marketing for The Grand, York plays a pivotal role in driving the hotel’s short term and long term commercial success.
Working as a key member of The Grand’s Leadership and Commercial Teams, this role translates The Grand’s commercial strategy and the Group Marketing Strategy into an actionable, property-specific plan that delivers revenue growth and strengthen market share. In addition, the role will be accountable for 3 strategic marketing objectives:
• Make The Grand renowned as the UK's leading city centre 5- star resort destination
• Drive direct consumer demand for stays and ancillary experiences
• Create an aspirational guest experience
Acting as the marketing lead on-site, this role will oversee day-to-day activity for The Grand’s marketing function, providing leadership, focus, and direction to the on-property team (who report into the group structure). The candidate will collaborate closely with the wider commercial disciplines – Sales and Revenue – ensuring alignment on business priorities and performance outcomes.

You will be have

• Proven experience in a senior marketing role within a luxury hospitality, travel, or lifestyle brand.
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering commercially impactful marketing campaigns.
• Hands-on experience managing websites, content, and social media platforms.
• Track record of driving measurable growth through data-led marketing.
• Experience managing budgets, agencies, and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong writing skills with a natural aptitude for creating compelling, brand-aligned content.

What Happens Next

Does the role of Head of Marketing suit your skillset? Apply now, this takes seconds, you’ll just need to provide some contact details along with a CV. Next, we’ll review your details, and if successful we’ll invite you to meet one of the team to learn more about you, your experience and let us tell you more about the Splendid Hospitality Group.
The Splendid Hospitality Group is an equal opportunities employer and a disability confident committed employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.