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director, corporate communications and reputation

Global Communications | Public Affairs

We we are looking for a Seattle-based leader who is ready to advance and protect Starbucks reputation. This role serves as a lead strategist for crisis communications mitigation and issues response, as well as key aspects of the company’s proactive news agenda.

Are you skilled crisis mitigation and issues response for a global brand? Are you experienced in developing proactive and reactive communications strategies? Are you seasoned in media relations as a corporate spokesperson? Are you a proven leader of individuals and teams? Do you have a demonstrated ability to work cross functionally and manage up, down and across a highly complex organization? Do you thrive in fast-paced, highly visible environments?

About Us

At Starbucks, we believe in balancing profit with purpose and the pursuit of doing well by doing good. With more than 400,000 partners (employees) around the world, we’re on a mission to nurture and inspire the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. We have high aspirations for the future and securing the best and the brightest for our stores and support centers is a critical element to achieving our goals.

How You'll Make an Impact

As a director, you’ll partner with your Public Affairs colleagues, executives, and key stakeholders across the company to design and implement strategic crisis mitigation and issues response plans, serving as a key corporate spokesperson, while also building and executing a proactive news agenda for several reputation-driving initiatives. Your work will:

• Advance and protect Starbucks reputation
• Build trust with key stakeholders, inside and outside the company;
• Create clarity, confidence and connection to our business objectives and reputation driving news agenda;
• Advance our company culture through listening, inclusion, transparency, empathy and action
  

How that Comes to Life

• Listening and engaging with curiosity to define clear goals and outcomes;
• Forming strong, collaborative relationships with peers and leaders across the company to inform, develop and implement communications strategies that advance and protect Starbucks reputation and support top enterprise priorities.
• Bringing cross-functional colleagues together in rhythm as well as ad-hoc as needed to design proactive and reactive integrated communications strategies, executing with excellence;
• Identifying and crafting crisis mitigation and issues response plans, and preparing reactive response for tough Qs from key stakeholders;
• Developing and executive a proactive news agenda for prioritized, reputation-driving initiatives;
• Serving as an on-the-record spokesperson who demonstrates skills to influence earned media reporting.
• Apply forward thinking and research skills to shape communications that are most relevant for key stakeholder groups;
• Preparing cadence of department-wide as well as leadership-level crisis management table-top exercises and scenario planning exercises;
• Managing up, down and across with detailed need-to-know information and clear action plans;
• Embodying Starbucks values and ensuring they're reflected in all of our communications
  

What You’ll Need:

• A passion for servant leadership.
• Critical thinking capabilities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in media relations and spokesperson capabiities.
• Demonstrated experience leading corporate crisis response scenarios and preparedness plans.
• A natural disposition to work with urgency in a fast-paced environment in which every day is unlike the last.
• Schedule flexibility and availability for critical after-hours assignments.
• Proven ability to establish trusted relationships at all levels of the organization
• Stellar written and verbal communication skills – particularly the ability to decode corporate speak and write clear and persuasive “human” content that engages a wide range of stakeholders. (Please submit various writing samples with your application.)
• Desire to take initiative in leading projects and presenting new perspectives.
• A solid grasp of narrative, awareness of audiences, exceptional attention to detail, and are a forward-thinking team player who works collaboratively.
• Demonstrated people management experience.

Summary of Experience

• Corporate and crisis communications leadership, preferably seasoned in external communications at a multi-unit retailer and/or an agency (10+ years)
• Developing, leading and managing teams (5+ years)
• Demonstrated ability to apply general business knowledge and experience in a complex, fast-paced global environment
• Effective budget and strong presentation skills
• Ability to interact effectively and confidently with senior management and all levels of the organization
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, agencies and partners across the organization
• Ability to work in a team and influence others
  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that includes partners with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving customers throughout our global communities. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal state and local ordinances. Starbucks Corporation is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation@starbucks.com.