Communications Manager

About the role

The Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications strategies for Fortidia US, focusing on franchise owners and their teams, as well as customers, prospective owners, and press.

Responsibilities

• Build the communications strategy for Fortidia US aligned with business priorities and communicate the rationale behind strategic decisions.
• Define the narrative for each brand and ensure consistency across internal and external communications.
• Design the audience and channel strategy, including communication cadence and channel purpose.
• Establish communication metrics, measure effectiveness, and report results to leadership.
• Advise leadership on communication strategies related to growth, organizational change, and sensitive situations.
• Test messaging and communication formats with franchise owners before broad distribution.
• Adapt communication plans quickly as business priorities evolve.
• Own the editorial calendar and manage the communications request process across departments.
• Own the communications calendar for franchise owners across all three brands, including what is communicated, to whom, and when.
• Write and produce newsletters, leadership updates, launch announcements, and other recurring communications.
• Segment communications to ensure franchise owners receive relevant and actionable information.
• Develop content featuring franchise owners, their successes, and best practices.
• Manage internal communications for headquarters employees, including company updates, leadership messages, and organizational announcements.
• Lead communications for major initiatives including annual conferences, product launches, and organizational changes.
• Maintain a feedback loop with franchise owners through advisory groups and listening sessions.
• Develop and execute public relations strategies, including media outreach and relationship management.
• Build executive thought leadership through articles, speaking opportunities, podcasts, and award submissions.
• Write and manage press releases, company announcements, and messaging for high-profile or sensitive situations.
• Partner with marketing and social media teams to maximize earned media opportunities across owned channels.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field with strong writing responsibilities.
• Experience leading internal and external communications programs, or significant experience in one with exposure to the other.
• Demonstrated success developing communications strategies and gaining leadership alignment.
• Experience defining communications metrics and reporting results to senior leadership.
• Experience working directly with franchise owners, field teams, dealers, members, or similar audiences.
• Media relations experience with a demonstrated track record of securing media coverage.
• Strong editorial judgment with the ability to write across multiple brand voices.
• Experience managing multiple brands and balancing competing stakeholder priorities.
• Proficiency with AI tools to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency.
• Franchise, multi-unit, or distributed network experience preferred.
• Crisis or issues communications experience preferred.
• Familiarity with email and communications platforms and interpreting engagement data preferred.
• A collaborative spirit, with appreciation of diverse perspectives.
• A bold, passionate, tenacious, and curious mindset, not afraid to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo in pursuit of better solutions.