Director of Communications - Capital One Travel
About The Position
Capital One Travel is a fast-paced, growing business building a comprehensive travel ecosystem for Capital One cardholders. It curates exclusive hotel programs, provides tailored perks, and is expanding its offerings across the travel landscape. The Director of Communications will build and expand Capital One Travel’s reputation with internal and external stakeholders, helping elevate its image from a value player to a sought-after premium travel brand. The role leads external communications strategy and serves as the strategic communications lead for the Head of Capital One Travel, with a focus on message development, positioning, speechwriting, and thought leadership. It develops media relationships and earned-media opportunities, supports strategic partnerships, monitors travel-industry trends and competitive developments, manages communications related to crises and travel disruptions, and creates campaigns that support adoption of the Capital One Travel app. The Director also collaborates across the Premium Products and Experiences business to integrate the travel narrative with Capital One’s premium lifestyle portfolio. This is a hybrid role subject to Capital One’s policy on required on-site presence at the designated office. The position is eligible for performance-based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonuses and/or long-term incentives. Salary ranges vary by location: McLean, VA, $206,000–$235,100; New York, NY, $224,800–$256,500. The posted salary bands are identified for Director, Project Management. Capital One does not sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or military experience.
- At least 8 years of experience in External Communications or Public Relations.
- At least 8 years of experience in People Leadership.
- At least 5 years of experience in the travel industry.
- Strong judgment and the ability to make high-stakes decisions using stakeholder and data insights.
- A proven ability to build trusting relationships with executive leaders and contribute hands-on to getting work done.
- A solutions-oriented, insight-driven approach to problem-solving and innovation.
- Ability to identify and understand business needs and communicate fluently in business terms.
Nice To Haves
- 8 or more years of experience in External Communications or Public Relations for a leading travel brand.
- 4 or more years of experience managing large-scale change management and crisis communications.
- Proven ability as a strategic thinker and problem-solver.
- Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and coaching skills.
- Strong organizational and prioritization capabilities.
Responsibilities
- Lead Capital One Travel’s external communications strategy and promote a narrative that elevates its reputation as a premium travel brand.
- Serve as the strategic external communications lead for the Head of Capital One Travel, including message development, positioning, and speechwriting.
- Build a thought leadership platform that establishes Capital One Travel’s leadership in the travel industry.
- Use established relationships with top-tier travel and lifestyle media to secure high-value earned media.
- Support efforts to attract and secure partnerships with luxury hotels, premium cruise lines, and elite tour operators through elevated brand positioning.
- Monitor global events, macroeconomic shifts, and industry trends, using insights to position Capital One Travel against competitors and adapt its narrative.
- Anticipate, assess, and manage communications related to global crises and travel disruptions, ensuring responses are swift, empathetic, and strategic.
- Develop communications campaigns to support adoption of the Capital One Travel app and highlight its premium features and user experience.
- Collaborate across the Premium Products and Experiences business to integrate the travel narrative with Capital One’s premium lifestyle portfolio.
Benefits
- Comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive health, financial, and other benefits supporting total well-being.
- Eligibility for performance-based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonuses and/or long-term incentives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
