Sr. Lead Advisor, Brand PR

Overview

As a part of Chick-fil-A's newly-formed CCEA (Corporate Communications and External Affairs) sits the External Communications team, which exists to protect and enhance our reputation and relevance. External Communications includes the Public Affairs and Brand Public Relations teams.

This role, which sits within the Brand Public Relations team, will lead external communication for several bodies of work across the business- primarily focused around Services & Innovation. This role leads external communication strategy and support for Service & Hospitality, Innovation and New Ventures, Digital on Demand, Customer Digital Experience, Restaurant Design and STC Brands. This leader oversees development of all external communications, public relations strategies, and high-level counsel

for an extensive variety of initiatives coming out of these groups. This role will also implement strong external media relations strategies to facilitate a positive brand narrative and support influential journalist relationships.

This role oversees multiple PR Agency partners who embed in sub teams within the departments this function services to support external communication needs and provide strategic guidance to shape internal business decisions. The efforts of this function will be in service of driving positive brand awareness, supporting positive sales and mitigating external narrative risk.

This role requires the ability to equip, inform and influence leaders on a variety of communications situations, as well as working with senior leaders within the Service & Innovation teams to provide strategic recommendations and oversee external communication as required. A proven track record of leadership, collaboration and influence will be essential. This position reports directly to the Director of Public Relations.

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee both proactive and reactive PR strategies for an expansive variety of external
  initiatives. Examples include: service innovation, hospitality messaging, delivery and 3rd party
  partnerships, Chick-fil-A One and introducing new restaurant design concepts.
• Help establish the vision and goals for positive external perception, narrative and awareness
  through high-profile media relations and resulting earned media coverage.
• Serve as a brand spokesperson for external media requests, responsible for establishing and
  maintaining strong journalist relationships, and facilitating ongoing education of the external
  media landscape.
• Oversight of external materials and related content including associated brand press releases,
  chicken wire content, marketing and broadcast materials, Team Member talking points, CARES
  responses, social community management and external media relations responses.
• Oversee and direct Public Relations agency partners, who are responsible for helping support the
  work of both Service & Innovation initiatives.
• Serve as a leader that effectively represents External Communications and the wider CCEA
  function, bridging the role of Brand PR with the teams this role supports as well as key
  stakeholders both inside and outside the organization.
• Provide insightful counsel and recommendations to senior executives, as well as clearly
  articulating and communicating Public Relations' strategy and approach.
• Message train internal partners to speak externally on behalf of Chick-fil-A business initiatives.
• This leader will have discretion in oversight for strategy and decisions related to Services &
  Innovation external communications strategies, including those that impact business timing,
  budget, staffing and agency support.
• Potential additional needs: Provide guidance to incoming requests via the Public Relations Hotline

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong organization and communication skills
• High attention to detail
• Strong sense of initiative, responsiveness and time management skills
• Ability to prioritize and skillfully handle multiple assignments.
• Ability to articulate key information and relay to appropriate parties
• Fundamental understanding of social media, digital platforms and traditional media relations.
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, while being flexible, collaborative and deadline
  driven
• Ability to make quick, independent judgement decisions that take into account complex business
  nuances

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a communication function.

Minimum Years of Experience

5

Travel Requirements

10%

Required Level of Education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Level of Education

Bachelors Degree

Major/Concentration

Public Relations and/or communications specialty