Manager, Communications

Orlando, FL

The Communications Manager leads the planning, organization and implementation of external and internal communication programs to achieve goals for assigned restaurant brands and/or Darden business units. This includes all public relations, employee communications and reputation management functions. The role involves translating business objectives into comprehensive and compelling communication campaigns that drive media relations and/or engage team members. The candidate must be comfortable interacting with media, executives, and operators. This position requires strong partnership to provide strategic counsel and support to operations, marketing, HR and executive/functional leadership. The Manager leads any required public relations agencies and is responsible for all aspects of their projects and development. Additionally, the Manager supports the direction of content, frequency and the most effective delivery channels for various communications to reinforce the culture, employment proposition and brand promise with each communication initiative.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

Oversees and leads interactions with national and local media, PR agencies, thought leaders, and community; in support of brand goals and key messages
Plans, organizes, monitors and controls all aspects of communications campaigns, including strategy development, messaging and reporting KPIs
Regularly interacts with senior leadership to ensure alignment and provide counsel
Partners with executives to distill and disseminate their communications (e.g. speeches, letters and presentations), including serving as a member of relevant event planning committees to oversee executive messaging
Develops and employs public relations tools (pitches, media kits, news releases, etc.) and publicity techniques to raise brand awareness among consumers; coordinates the management of interactions with journalists
Champions creative PR and internal communications ideas to break through and drive key messages or actions
Drives actionable and compelling internal communications strategy in support of various initiatives, including HR strategy, change management and training.
Manages issues, crisis and risk matters for the company and its brands, including identifying potential issues and developing appropriate response plans
Serves as member of rotating on-call schedule for weekend issues monitoring
Remains current on industry and consumer trends and developments; leverages such knowledge to promote the brand
Supports individual and team performance through actions demonstrating strong team orientation and feedback

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Public Relations and Media Management: Demonstrates the capability to develop and manage a variety of public relation techniques for brand-building publicity with a strong emphasis on national and local media relations programs
Issue and Reputation Management: Demonstrates the capability to anticipate and effectively address issues affecting the brand or enterprise
Executive Communications: Demonstrates the capability to write on behalf of key executives, maintaining a consistent tone and narrative over time
Employee Communications: Demonstrates the capability to drive effective communications to a diverse and dispersed team member audience
Corporate Communications: Demonstrates the capability to drive compelling communications on behalf of various corporate functions
Integrated Communications: Demonstrates the capability to identify opportunities for programs that can be leveraged across communication channels, including public relations, employee communications and social media
Brand Strategy Development: Demonstrates the capability to develop and create a clear and compelling brand strategy and evolve and support that strategy over time
Project Management: Demonstrates the capability to balance multiple priorities and achieve desired outcomes on time and within budget
Client Service: Demonstrates the capability to embed and support various internal clients with individualized objectives
Strategic Counsel: Demonstrates the capability to provide communications counsel to partners and executives

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree (Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field)

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

5+ years of communications, public relations, agency or journalism experience
Proven professional writing and editing expertise across all communication mediums and knowledge of AP Style
Passion for food and hospitality
Some travel required

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

National media relations contacts and expertise
Proven experience facilitating, aligning and coordinating proactive issue and reputation management
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and hold team members accountable for performance