SVP, Communications

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal advisor to the CMO, CEO, and executive leadership on communications strategy, positioning, and reputation management internally and externally.
• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide external communications strategy (considering both traditional and non-traditional approaches) that advances the National Restaurant Association’s and Educational Foundation’s mission, reputation, and thought leadership position.
• Guide the development of issue-driven communications strategies to support the Association’s public affairs objectives at the federal, state, and local levels—raising visibility, increasing stakeholder understanding, and advancing the policy agenda.
• Partner with the EVP of Public Affairs to shape media coverage around legislative and regulatory priorities through strategic messaging, content creation, media outreach, and rapid-response engagement.
• Oversee crisis communications planning and response to protect and enhance organizational trust.
• Develop and implement an internal communications strategy that ensures employees are informed, aligned, and engaged in organizational priorities and activities, while reinforcing company culture and values.
• Define and track success metrics, such as share of voice, media quality and sentiment, employee engagement, and reputation benchmarks; use insights to refine strategies and ensure enterprise-level impact.
• Leverage modern communications channels—including social media, digital platforms, and multimedia content—to broaden reach, increase engagement, and reinforce brand positioning.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in communications, public affairs, media strategy, or related disciplines, with expertise spanning brand, thought leadership, and policy or advocacy communications in complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead high-performing teams, including defining roles, setting strategic direction, and establishing performance management frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic communications agencies and partner relationships.
• Strong and active media relationships across traditional outlets (broadcast, print) and new media (digital, social, podcasts, newsletters), with a proven record of securing prominent coverage and thought leadership placements.
• Skilled at developing and executing executive visibility strategies, including speechwriting, op-eds, interviews, and thought leadership platforms.
• Able to work in fast-paced, high-stakes environments with the ability to advise executive leaders on sensitive or complex issues.
• An advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science, or a related field is preferred.