📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, International Marketing and Distribution
🔹 Company: Choice Hotels International
🔹 Location: North Bethesda, MD - Corporate Headquarters
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Hospitality
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (20-30% travel required)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the international commercial function and developing integrated annual commercial plans aligned with corporate strategy.
- Collaborating with regional leaders to craft and execute regional strategies.
- Overseeing the development and evolution of the International Value Proposition, including sales, marketing, e-commerce, loyalty, and technology.
- Managing departmental budgets and ensuring accurate forecasting.
- Building and leading high-performing teams, providing mentorship and managing the employee lifecycle.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with strong program management skills and experience in multicultural environments.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the international commercial function, developing integrated annual commercial plans aligned with corporate strategy.
✅ Partner with regional commercial leaders and U.S.-based Centers of Excellence to craft and execute regional strategies.
✅ Oversee the development and evolution of the International Value Proposition, including sales, marketing, e-commerce, loyalty, and technology.
✅ Manage departmental budgets, including marketing and loyalty expenditures, and ensure accurate forecasting.
✅ Build and lead high-performing teams, providing mentorship and managing the employee lifecycle.
✅ Drive strategic initiatives that optimize operations and support business growth, including cross-regional marketing and systems integration.
✅ Collaborate with global stakeholders in Marketing, Finance, Technology, and Franchise Operations to align on business objectives.
✅ Develop and maintain dashboards and scorecards to track performance against strategic goals.
✅ Own the international roadmap for enhancements to centralized technology platforms (e.g., PMS/CRS).
✅ Represent International Operations in enterprise-wide technical prioritization and capability-building efforts.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves cross-functional collaboration and influencing across global teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field required; MBA preferred.
Experience: At least 8–10 years of experience in marketing, sales, e-commerce, loyalty, or brand management, with a minimum of 4 years in a leadership role.
Required Skills:
- Proven success in developing and executing commercial strategies that drive measurable revenue growth.
- Experience managing online marketing campaigns and value propositions for franchisees.
- Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across global teams.
- Financial acumen and understanding of ROI to impact departmental P&L.
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Familiarity with travel distribution and consumer engagement platforms preferred.
Preferred Skills:
- Hotel or travel industry experience.
- Multilingual skills (e.g., English, French, Spanish).
- Experience in franchise-based industries (e.g., retail, food & beverage).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a valid passport and ability to travel up to 20–30% of the time.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $160,546 to $188,641 annually. In addition to the annual salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus based on the terms of Choice's Management Incentive Plan (MIP).
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
- Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
- Employee recognition programs
- Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and the need to travel up to 20-30% of the time.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's standard compensation structure for this role and level of experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Hospitality, with a focus on lodging franchising.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: 1939, with a rich history in the hospitality industry and a strong global presence.
Company Description:
- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world.
- The company's portfolio includes 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay, and economy.
- Choice Hotels has nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories.
Company Specialties:
- Lodging franchisor
- Hospitality
- Technology
Company Website: www.choicehotels.com
ASSUMPTION: Choice Hotels is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a diverse portfolio of brands.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive/Management level, reporting directly to the Head of International Operations.
Reporting Structure: This role will have direct reports and collaborate with cross-functional departments on a regular basis.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with the need to travel up to 20-30% of the time.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the International Operations Division or explore other opportunities within the company.
- Chance to work on strategic initiatives that drive business growth and impact the global hotel industry.
- Opportunity to mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of growth and learning.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the company's global strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters, with a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): North Bethesda, MD - Corporate Headquarters
Geographic Context:
- North Bethesda is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, just north of Washington, D.C.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to public transportation, shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- The corporate headquarters is located at Pike & Rose, with easy access to I-495, complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants, and retail.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the need to travel up to 20-30% of the time.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Choice Hotels' corporate headquarters is modern, collaborative, and conveniently located near public transportation and amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or video interview with the hiring panel
- Final interview with the Head of International Operations
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Financial acumen and understanding of ROI
- Global mindset and cultural awareness
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit for the company's culture.
- Be ready to discuss your experience with international marketing, distribution, and team leadership.
ATS Keywords: International Marketing, Distribution, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Leadership, Global Mindset, ROI, Budget Management, Performance Tracking
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may involve multiple interviews and assessments to ensure the best fit for both the candidate and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- Travel distribution and consumer engagement platforms (e.g., PMS/CRS)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the hospitality industry and can be learned or adapted by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Welcome and Respect Everyone
- Be Bold
- Be Quick
- Listen
- Be Curious
- Show Integrity
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on driving results and continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a multicultural environment and enjoy working with global teams?
- Are you comfortable managing budgets and ensuring accurate forecasting?
- Do you have experience leading high-performing teams and providing mentorship?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Choice Hotels' cultural values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a global team with diverse cultural backgrounds and time zones.
- Balancing the needs of regional leaders with enterprise-wide goals and objectives.
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving hospitality industry.
- Travel requirements up to 20-30% of the time.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome by a strategic and adaptable leader with strong communication and collaboration skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on international marketing and distribution within the hospitality industry.
- Similar roles in other industries may have different focuses, such as regional marketing or sales management.
- Career progression in this role could lead to senior leadership positions within the International Operations Division or other areas of the company.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive global strategy and impact the hospitality industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a regional marketing campaign to drive revenue growth in a specific international market.
- Collaborating with regional leaders to optimize distribution channels and improve franchisee satisfaction.
- Managing a team to enhance the International Value Proposition and improve customer engagement.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and cross-functional nature of the role's responsibilities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the company's long-term global strategy?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the International Operations Division, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment?
- How does the company measure the success of this role, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company, and helps you better understand the expectations and opportunities for growth.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, including keywords such as International Marketing, Distribution, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Leadership, Global Mindset, ROI, Budget Management, and Performance Tracking.
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit for the company's culture.
- Prepare for interviews by researching the company, its industry, and the specific requirements of the role.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
