Marketing & Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Marketing & Design Manager

Company: Sonesta Hotels

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development and execution of integrated marketing and design strategies tailored for Sonesta's New York City portfolio, encompassing hotels, F&B, and spa outlets, to drive brand awareness and revenue growth.

• Oversee all visual brand assets and creative output, ensuring consistent adherence to brand standards across all digital, social, print, and on-property touchpoints.

• Manage and optimize website content, email marketing campaigns, and CRM initiatives to enhance guest engagement and drive direct bookings.

• Lead photography and video production efforts, from concept to execution, to create compelling visual narratives that align with brand identity and marketing objectives.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams and external agencies to manage projects, monitor market trends, and report on campaign performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Marketing & Design Manager," the core responsibilities, particularly those involving website management, email platforms (Cendyn), CRM strategies, and data reporting, indicate a strong operational component. This role bridges creative execution with the operational management of marketing channels and data.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive, multi-channel marketing campaigns (email, social, web, display) that align with Sonesta's brand guidelines and drive measurable results for NYC properties.

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including digital ads, email templates, social media graphics, GDS advertisements, sales decks, and on-property signage, ensuring visual consistency and brand integrity.

• Manage the relationship with the Digital Spice web agency, overseeing content updates, SEO optimization, and the performance of the vanity and restaurant websites.

• Execute all email marketing campaigns through the Cendyn platform, including creative development, QA testing, targeted segmentation, and A/B testing to optimize engagement and conversion rates.

• Lead photography and video shoots for hotel rooms, F&B, spa experiences, and seasonal events, providing creative direction and managing assets for internal and external use.

• Maintain and organize the Sonesta Brand DAM and internal NY team photo/video libraries, ensuring efficient asset management and accessibility.

• Create engaging visual content, including reels, stories, and short-form videos, for social media platforms to enhance brand presence and guest interaction.

• Assist in the planning and execution of on-property experiential activations, ensuring all elements align with brand standards and contribute to the overall guest experience.

• Collaborate with operations, sales, and corporate teams to ensure marketing initiatives support broader business objectives and drive revenue.

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging marketing opportunities to inform strategy and drive innovation within the NYC market.

• Prepare and present monthly performance reports, including key insights and actionable recommendations for campaign optimization and future strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and operational oversight of marketing channels and assets. The focus on "supporting operations teams with on-property signage and printed collateral" and "assisting with branded giveaways" highlights an operational support function within the marketing domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Graphic Design, Communications, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent professional experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in marketing, graphic design, or a related creative role, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders. Experience in the hospitality industry is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels.

• Strong proficiency in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Expertise in creating visual assets for social media, digital advertising, and print collateral.

• Demonstrated ability to manage website content updates and SEO best practices.

• Hands-on experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Cendyn) and CRM systems.

• Excellent photography and video direction, including concept development, shoot execution, and asset management.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and marketing strategies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) beyond basic updates.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies for email and digital campaigns.

• Knowledge of brand asset management (DAM) systems.

• Experience in the hospitality or travel industry.

• Basic understanding of video editing software.

• Familiarity with GDS advertising platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the breadth of responsibilities and the typical career progression for roles involving campaign management, design leadership, and agency oversight. The emphasis on specific platforms like Cendyn and Digital Spice suggests a need for practical, hands-on experience rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive marketing campaigns, detailing strategy, creative execution, channels used, and measurable results (e.g., increased bookings, engagement rates, revenue attributed).

• Include examples of visual design for diverse applications: digital ads, social media graphics, email templates, print collateral (menus, signage), and presentations.

• Demonstrate proficiency in brand management through examples of maintaining visual consistency across multiple touchpoints and adapting creative to specific brand guidelines.

• Highlight any experience with website content management, including examples of updates, SEO improvements, or landing page design.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your process for developing a marketing campaign from concept to execution, including briefing, creative development, stakeholder approval, and performance tracking.

• Outline your workflow for managing photo and video shoots, from pre-production (mood boards, shot lists) to post-production (editing, asset organization).

• Be ready to explain your approach to website content updates and SEO optimization, including how you identify opportunities and implement changes.

• Describe your process for A/B testing email campaigns and using CRM data to inform targeted marketing efforts.

• Detail your methods for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external agencies to ensure project alignment and successful outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Marketing & Design Manager role with operational aspects, a portfolio demonstrating successful campaign execution, brand stewardship, and effective use of marketing technology is crucial. The emphasis on process documentation helps assess the candidate's operational rigor and strategic thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000 annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company match, supporting long-term financial health.

• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match to aid in retirement savings.

• Paid time off, including vacation days and sick days, for work-life balance.

• Sonesta hotel discounts, offering travel perks for employees.

• Educational assistance programs to support professional development and continuous learning.

• Paid parental leave to support new parents.

• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance for financial security.

• Additional employee perks and discounts.

• Specialized insurance options including Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position typically requiring 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines or support events. The role is on-site, requiring consistent in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is directly from the job description. The benefits listed are also extracted from the description, with added context for their value to operations professionals. The working hours are standard for full-time roles and are specified as on-site.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality (Hotels and Lodging). Sonesta Hotels is the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S., distinguished by its diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties. The company emphasizes the "human side of hospitality," focusing on passionate service and purposeful loyalty.

Company Size: Sonesta Hotels operates over 1000+ properties in eight countries, indicating a large, established organization with a significant global presence. This scale suggests robust operational frameworks and established brand standards.

Founded: While the founding date is not specified, Sonesta's growth and current portfolio size indicate a long-standing presence in the hospitality industry, suggesting a culture that balances tradition with innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Marketing & Design Manager reports to the Director of Digital Marketing in New York City.

• The role involves close collaboration with on-property operations teams, sales departments, and corporate field and brand teams.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with a focus on analyzing campaign performance and market trends to inform strategy.

• Workflow optimization is key, particularly in managing creative assets, digital platforms, and cross-functional projects.

• A strong emphasis on brand consistency and visual storytelling is central to the marketing approach.

Company Website: https://www.sonesta.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights Sonesta's growth and diverse portfolio. The team structure and collaboration patterns are inferred from the reporting line and cross-functional responsibilities outlined in the job description, crucial for understanding how marketing operations integrate with broader business functions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It involves significant responsibility for creative output, campaign execution, and managing key marketing platforms and agency relationships. It bridges creative execution with operational management of marketing functions.

Reporting Structure: The Marketing & Design Manager reports directly to the Director of Digital Marketing in New York City. This provides a clear line of management and mentorship, with opportunities to influence digital strategy at a regional level.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts revenue by driving guest awareness, bookings, and engagement through strategic marketing and design initiatives. Effective campaign execution and brand representation are critical for maximizing occupancy, F&B sales, and spa utilization across the NYC portfolio.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in digital marketing channels, CRM strategy, or hospitality branding.

• Leadership: Potential to advance into a senior marketing role, managing larger teams or broader regional responsibilities as the company continues its growth trajectory.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to gain extensive experience with industry-standard marketing technology platforms (Cendyn, Digital Spice) and refine project management and cross-functional collaboration skills within a large corporate structure.

• Industry Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of the hospitality marketing landscape and build a professional network within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis of career and growth is based on the mid-level experience requirement, the scope of responsibilities, and the reporting structure within a large, growing hospitality organization. The emphasis on operational aspects of marketing suggests potential for advancement into roles that manage broader marketing operations or digital strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based on-site at a Sonesta location in New York City. It implies a professional office environment within one of the company's NYC hotels or a dedicated regional office.

Office Location(s): Sonesta NYC, NY. Specific details regarding the exact office address or amenities would need to be confirmed directly, but it is situated within the bustling New York City environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely involve a blend of individual creative work and collaborative sessions with the marketing team, sales, and operations staff.

• Access to necessary design software, marketing platforms, and potentially photography/video equipment or studios will be provided.

• Opportunities for interaction with hotel staff and guests may arise, particularly during on-property activations or photo shoots, fostering a dynamic work environment.

• The role requires seamless collaboration with both internal stakeholders and external agency partners, necessitating strong communication and organizational tools.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, due to the nature of marketing, hospitality, and event-driven industries, flexibility may be required to accommodate campaign launches, photo shoots, or special events, potentially including some evenings or weekends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" work arrangement is a key descriptor. The workspace context is inferred from the hybrid creative/strategic nature of the role and typical office environments within large hospitality organizations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output. Be prepared to highlight specific projects relevant to hospitality marketing and design.

• First Interview: Typically with the Director of Digital Marketing. Expect to discuss your experience in marketing strategy, graphic design, brand management, and campaign execution. Be ready to elaborate on your portfolio pieces and your role in their success.

• Creative/Technical Assessment: This may involve a practical exercise or a deeper dive into your design process, software proficiency, and understanding of marketing platforms like Cendyn and Digital Spice.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or cross-functional department heads. This stage focuses on cultural fit, strategic thinking, and how your skills align with Sonesta's broader business objectives in NYC.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in marketing strategy, graphic design, and brand management, especially those relevant to the hospitality industry.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the strategy employed, the creative solutions developed, the tools/platforms used, and the measurable results achieved. Use data and metrics wherever possible.

• Highlight Versatility: Include examples of work across different mediums (digital, print, social, video) and for different purposes (campaigns, collateral, website content).

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate your ability to understand and apply brand guidelines effectively, showing how you maintained consistency and adapted creative to specific brand needs.

• Digital & Operational Focus: Emphasize projects involving digital marketing platforms (email, web, social) and any experience managing agency relationships or supporting operational needs with marketing collateral.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach developing a marketing campaign for a specific Sonesta NYC property or F&B outlet, considering its unique selling propositions and target audience.

• Prepare to explain your process for managing a marketing project from start to finish, including stakeholder communication, timeline management, and problem-solving.

• Anticipate questions about your experience with specific marketing technologies mentioned (e.g., Cendyn, Digital Spice) and how you leverage data for campaign optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are tailored to a Marketing & Design Manager role with operational responsibilities, emphasizing the need to showcase both creative talent and practical application of marketing tools and strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for graphic design and asset creation.

• Email Marketing Platform: Experience with Cendyn is specifically mentioned and highly preferred for managing email campaigns.

• Web Content Management System (CMS): Familiarity with managing content on websites, potentially through platforms like WordPress or similar systems used by Digital Spice.

• Project Management Tools: While not explicitly named, tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com are commonly used for managing marketing projects and workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Website Analytics: Experience with Google Analytics or similar tools to monitor website traffic, user behavior, and campaign performance.

• Email Analytics: Understanding metrics within Cendyn or other email platforms to track open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with native analytics on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or third-party tools.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to compile data from various sources into clear, concise reports, likely using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or presentation software.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM System: Experience with CRM platforms for managing customer data and insights, potentially integrated with email marketing efforts.

• Digital Advertising Platforms: Familiarity with platforms for display ads and GDS Ads.

• Brand Asset Management (DAM): Experience using or managing a DAM system for organized storage and retrieval of brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are derived directly from the job description's requirements and responsibilities, with added common industry tools that complement the specified platforms. The emphasis on Cendyn and Digital Spice highlights specific platform requirements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently enforcing Sonesta's brand standards across all visual and marketing communications, ensuring a cohesive and recognizable brand identity.

• Guest-Centricity: Focusing marketing efforts on enhancing the guest experience and driving value through creative storytelling and engaging content that resonates with travelers.

• Data-Driven Optimization: Utilizing analytics and performance metrics to inform marketing decisions, refine strategies, and maximize return on investment for all campaigns.

• Efficiency & Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams and with external agencies to streamline processes, meet deadlines, and achieve shared objectives.

• Innovation: Staying abreast of marketing trends and emerging technologies to identify new opportunities for engagement and revenue growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactively partnering with hotel operations, sales teams, and corporate marketing to ensure alignment of marketing initiatives with business goals and on-property execution.

• Agency Partnership: Maintaining strong, communicative relationships with external agencies (Digital Spice, Cendyn) to leverage their expertise and ensure successful campaign delivery and platform management.

• Feedback Loop: Open to constructive feedback on creative work and marketing strategies, and providing clear, actionable feedback to colleagues and partners.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share insights, best practices, and creative assets with team members and stakeholders to foster a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from the company's stated focus on hospitality, the requirements for cross-functional work, and the emphasis on brand standards and data-driven approaches, common in marketing operations roles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Operational Demands: Effectively managing both the creative vision and the operational execution of marketing campaigns across multiple properties and platforms.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all visual assets and messaging adhere strictly to corporate brand guidelines while adapting them for local market nuances.

• Measuring ROI: Clearly demonstrating the return on investment for marketing and design initiatives, particularly in a competitive hospitality market.

• Keeping Pace with Digital Trends: Continuously updating knowledge and skills to leverage the latest digital marketing technologies, social media trends, and content creation techniques.

• Agency Management: Effectively managing relationships with external agencies to ensure they meet Sonesta's strategic objectives and brand standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Digital Marketing Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific digital channels like SEO, SEM, social media advertising, and advanced email marketing automation.

• Hospitality Industry Insights: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the unique marketing challenges and opportunities within the hotel and hospitality sector.

• Project Management Proficiency: Developing advanced skills in project management, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional team leadership.

• Creative Leadership: Growing into a role with greater creative direction and strategic input on marketing campaigns and brand development.

• Technology Adoption: Becoming proficient with advanced features of marketing platforms like Cendyn and learning to integrate various marketing technologies for enhanced operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are derived from the inherent complexities of the role as described, particularly the blend of creative and operational tasks and the dynamic nature of digital marketing in the hospitality sector. Growth opportunities are aligned with typical career progression for marketing professionals with operational responsibilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a successful integrated marketing campaign you developed and managed from concept to completion. What were the objectives, your strategy, the key creative elements, the channels used, and the measurable results?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, campaign execution, and data analysis.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse marketing channels and for multiple properties, especially when working with external agencies?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and your process for managing brand integrity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Sonesta Hotels and this specific Marketing & Design Manager role in New York City?" (Research Sonesta's recent growth, portfolio, and values. Connect your skills to their mission.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with on-property operations teams and sales departments to ensure marketing initiatives are successful?" (Emphasize your communication style and understanding of cross-functional support.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly explain the challenge, your solution (strategy and creative), and the outcome (results/impact).

• Quantify Your Success: Use numbers and data to illustrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., % increase in bookings, engagement rates, lead generation).

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your workflow, tools used, and any challenges overcome. This demonstrates your operational understanding.

• Tailor to Sonesta: Select examples that are most relevant to the hospitality industry, digital marketing, and brand management.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your creative choices, strategic rationale, and technical proficiency with platforms like Cendyn.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to assess a candidate's strategic marketing acumen, creative capabilities, operational rigor, and cultural fit within a hospitality organization like Sonesta.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Marketing & Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://reitmr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Sonesta/job/Sonesta-NYC-NY/Marketing---Design-Manager_R-0072502

• Complete the full application in addition to attaching your resume, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 projects that highlight your integrated marketing campaign experience, graphic design skills, and brand management capabilities, with a preference for hospitality or service industry examples. Ensure it demonstrates your ability to manage creative assets and understand marketing operations.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities from the job description, such as "integrated marketing campaigns," "graphic design," "brand management," "email marketing (Cendyn)," "website management," and "project management." Quantify achievements with data wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience with specific campaign examples, focusing on your strategic approach, creative execution, and the measurable results you achieved. Be ready to discuss your process for managing creative projects and collaborating with teams and agencies.

• Research Sonesta: Familiarize yourself with Sonesta Hotels' brand, current marketing efforts, and their portfolio of NYC properties to demonstrate your interest and understanding of their business.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.