director, crisis and issues communications

Starbucks • Seattle, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This role leads some of Starbucks most visible and fast-moving reputation work, notably risk mitigation, and crisis and issues response. The person in this role partners closely with Legal, Partner Resources, Coffeehouse Operations, Government Affairs and Investor Relations to navigate complex, high-profile business and coffeehouse issues, creating and executing scenario plans, playbooks and response strategies. Success requires strong judgment, the ability to make decisions and communicate effectively in rapidly changing situations, the ability to influence across the enterprise, and experience building teams, processes and systems that enable confident, coordinated responses at scale. The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications leader with proven media relations experience and who thrives in a dynamic environment. This role balances long-term reputation strategy with real-time business priorities.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in crisis and issues communications from consumer brand, retail, political campaigns or similar high-profile, high-volume organizations.
• Proven experience in influencing perceptions through deep media relations and navigating a fast-moving social media landscape.
• Proven experience in leading cross functional teams to solve complex problems with urgency, including leading up to top organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Protect and Strengthen Starbucks Reputation- Lead a small team responsible for communications strategy and response for issues that could impact the business or trust in Starbucks, ensuring the company communicates quickly, thoughtfully and consistently across external and internal audiences, including partners (employees) as well as traditional and social media.
• Advise Leaders Through Complex Business Challenges- Serve as a trusted, solutions-oriented communications counselor to cross-functional leaders, partnering closely with Legal, Partner Resources, Operations, Government Affairs and Investor Relations to assess risk, shape messaging and guide decisions in fast-moving situations.
• Build and Lead the Company's Issues Response Capability- Develop and maintain the processes, plans, relationships and team readiness needed to identify emerging issues early, coordinate responses at scale and ensure Starbucks is prepared for both anticipated and unexpected challenges.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits.
• short-term and long-term disability
• paid parental leave
• family expansion reimbursement
• paid vacation from date of hire
• sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked)
• eight paid holidays
• two personal days per year
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• discounted company stock program (S.I.P.)
• Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock)
• incentivized emergency savings
• financial well-being tools
• 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan
• student loan management resources
• access to other educational opportunities
• backup care
• DACA reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed