Director, Corporate Reputation

Sysco

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Corporate Reputation drives communications strategies that advance business objectives, build stakeholder trust and strengthen Sysco’s enterprise reputation. As a senior strategic advisor, this role shapes enterprise narratives, leads high-impact reputation and issues-management efforts, and ensures communications supports growth, protects organizational credibility and creates measurable value for the company and its stakeholders. The role leads enterprise communications and reputation strategy, advises business leaders on corporate priorities and reputational risks, and translates business strategy into consistent messaging for key stakeholder audiences. It partners with Investor Relations on financing activities, mergers and acquisitions, integrations and other significant corporate milestones; leads Tier 1 media strategy and external engagement; and oversees crisis communications, issues management and escalation frameworks. The director also establishes communications governance and best practices, manages external agency relationships, and uses stakeholder insights, market intelligence and measurement to evaluate communications effectiveness and business value. The position is based at Sysco’s Global Support Center in Houston, Texas, and is hybrid, requiring on-site presence three to four days per week, with additional on-site days possible based on business needs. Travel is required to Sysco facilities or operating sites; the posting gives estimates of up to 25% and 30%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; preferably in Communications, Journalism or Public Relations.
At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in corporate communications, public relations, corporate affairs, reputation management or a related discipline.
Proven experience developing and leading enterprise communications strategies for large, complex organizations.
Demonstrated success counseling senior executives on high-profile business, reputation and stakeholder issues.
Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, enterprise transformations, organizational change or other significant corporate initiatives.
Deep experience leading crisis communications, issues management and reputation-protection efforts.
Demonstrated success leading media relations, issues management and executive visibility programs.
Proven ability to influence and drive alignment across multiple stakeholder groups.
Experience managing agency partners, budgets and enterprise communications programs.
Strong track record of using data, insights and measurement to evaluate effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and consistent execution.
Experience establishing processes, managing communications workflows and driving complex initiatives from planning through execution.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including coordinating stakeholders, managing timelines and ensuring accountability across multiple workstreams.
Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills.
Strong executive presence, business acumen and consulting skills.
Strategic thinking and ability to connect communications strategies to corporate, customer and colleague audiences.
Ability to build relationships and influence effectively at all organizational levels.
Ability to create simple, clear and consistent communications from complex information.
Decision-making, project-management, planning and budget-management skills.
Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels; manage change; and work resiliently in a fast-paced, changeable environment.
Ability to work constructively across cross-functional teams and regularly share relevant insights with colleagues.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to travel to Sysco facilities or operating sites as needed.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of experience in a global and/or large organization.

Responsibilities

Lead development and execution of enterprise communications strategies that strengthen Sysco’s reputation, build stakeholder confidence and support business growth.
Advise business leadership on corporate priorities, market positioning, reputation risks, stakeholder engagement and business-critical communications.
Shape and steward the enterprise narrative, translating business strategy into compelling, consistent messaging for key stakeholder audiences.
Lead communications partnership with Investor Relations for financing activities, mergers and acquisitions, integrations and other significant corporate milestones.
Own enterprise reputation-management strategies and initiatives that enhance credibility, strengthen stakeholder trust and support long-term value creation.
Lead Tier 1 media strategy, high-profile external engagement and visibility initiatives that advance business priorities and strengthen the company’s market position.
Establish and oversee enterprise crisis communications, issues-management and escalation frameworks to protect business continuity, mitigate risk and preserve stakeholder confidence.
Provide strategic communications leadership during enterprise-level crises, reputation-sensitive issues and corporate events.
Establish communications governance, standards and best practices to ensure consistency, alignment and effectiveness.
Lead agency relationships, external communications partners and enterprise reputation-building initiatives.
Use stakeholder insights, market intelligence and communications measurement to inform decisions and demonstrate business value.
Connect communications strategies and programs to enterprise reputation, stakeholder trust, organizational objectives and measurable business performance.
Define communications strategies linking corporate, customer and colleague audiences, and develop transformational strategies to improve employee engagement and external media sentiment.
Create and amplify narratives that connect employees to company priorities and purpose and reflect employee experiences and the impact of the company’s work.
Lead and execute communications for matrixed and geographically diverse organizations, including businesses with large frontline workforces.
Manage communications workflows, projects, timelines, budgets and stakeholder accountability across multiple workstreams.
Manage day-to-day external agency relationships, media relations, communications plans, editorial priorities, issues monitoring and reputation-building initiatives.
Make recommendations on communications tactics, channels, stakeholder outreach and measurement approaches within approved budgets and governance frameworks.