Marketing Manager – The Hawthorn by Galway Bay
Role Overview
The Hawthorn by Galway Bay is a five-star luxury hotel, spa and golf destination on Ireland’s west coast. We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven Marketing Manager to take ownership of the property’s marketing activity and help build its position as one of Ireland’s leading luxury destinations. Reporting jointly to the Group Marketing Manager for Connacht Hospitality Group & The Hawthorn by Galway Bay General Manager, this is a senior, hands-on role requiring a high degree of autonomy, sound judgement and a strong focus on commercial performance.
The successful candidate will combine hospitality experience, digital and social media expertise, creative flair and analytical discipline. They will lead the day-to-day marketing activity for The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, developing actionable campaign ideas and working closely with hotel leadership, revenue, sales, operations, design & PR, web development and specialist agency partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the annual property marketing plan, translating commercial priorities across hotel stays, dining, spa, golf, events and gift vouchers into integrated campaigns with clear objectives.
- Identify new revenue and demand opportunities and proactively bring forward well-considered, actionable campaign ideas, offers, partnerships and activation plans.
- Lead digital marketing activity across SEO, PPC, metasearch, CRM, email and website, with a strong focus on direct bookings, conversion, revenue and ROI.
- Own the social media strategy and content calendar, creating and commissioning engaging, social-first content that builds awareness, desire and measurable commercial action.
- Plan and lead photography, video and content shoots, including creative concepts, briefs, shot lists, schedules, styling and on-site direction.
- Oversee website content, UX and conversion optimisation, working with web development and booking-engine partners to continually improve the digital guest journey.
- Act as brand guardian for The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, ensuring consistent five-star positioning, tone of voice and visual standards across all communications and guest touchpoints.
- Build and manage productive relationships with PR teams, media, influencers, tourism bodies, local partners and luxury brand collaborators.
- Work confidently with hotel leadership, revenue, sales and operational teams to align marketing activity with business needs, challenge constructively and drive delivery.
- Manage the property marketing budget and analyse campaign, website, social, CRM, booking and revenue performance to identify opportunities and recommend clear next actions.
- Manage multiple workstreams independently and diligently, maintaining accurate plans, briefs and deadlines and providing concise, proactive updates to the Group Marketing Manager.
- Manage external suppliers and agency partners, ensuring activity is delivered on time, within budget and to the required five-star standard.
- Oversee reputation-building activity, including awards, listings, review platforms and relevant luxury hospitality accreditations.
- Conduct regular competitor, market and consumer analysis to identify emerging trends, changing guest behaviour and new commercial opportunities.
- Support on-property events, press visits, influencer activity and campaign activations in partnership with operational teams.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 5 years marketing experience, including at least 3 years in hospitality, luxury travel or a related premium brand.
- Proven ability to take ownership of marketing plans and campaigns with responsibility for commercial outcomes, budgets and performance reporting.
- Strong understanding of hotel marketing, direct booking strategy and its relationship with revenue, sales and operations.
- Social media and content creation expertise, with experience in photography & video, shoot planning and creator-led activity.
- Strong working knowledge of SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, CRM and email marketing, CMS platforms, GA4 and digital reporting.
- Experience with hospitality CRM, booking engines, spa & golf booking platforms is advantageous.
- Experience managing marketing budgets, external agencies and multiple senior stakeholders.
- Highly analytical and commercially minded, with the ability to turn insight and performance data into clear recommendations and action plans.
- Excellent communication, copywriting, organisation and stakeholder-management skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
- Proactive, decisive and solutions-focused, with the confidence to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and take accountability for delivery.
- Ability to work on-site and provide occasional flexibility around content shoots, events, press visits and key property activations.
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Food allowance
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
