Director, Enterprise Communications

Denny's•Spartanburg, SC

11d•$128,000 - $176,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Denny's is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, transformation, and opportunity—and we're looking for a strategic communications leader to help shape the story. As Director, Enterprise Communications, you will build and lead a modern communications function that strengthens alignment, trust, reputation, and engagement across one of America's most iconic restaurant brands. Reporting to senior leadership, this role will serve as a key advisor to executives while leading internal communications, public relations, executive messaging, franchisee communications, crisis readiness, and brand storytelling. This is a unique opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys both strategy and execution—someone who can advise leaders in the boardroom, navigate sensitive issues, support franchise owners, engage employees, and help tell the authentic stories that make Denny's special.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, executive communications, corporate communications, internal communications, or related disciplines.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling capabilities.
Experience supporting C-suite leaders and developing executive-level communications.
Strong background in public relations, reputation management, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to influence and advise senior leaders while managing sensitive and confidential matters.
Experience within restaurant, hospitality, retail, franchise, consumer brand, private equity, or multi-unit environments is strongly preferred.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and sound judgment.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and high visibility.

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise communications strategy across employees, franchise owners, executive leadership, media, communities, and external stakeholders.
Partner directly with the CEO and senior leadership team on executive communications, speeches, presentations, talking points, leadership messaging, and thought leadership content.
Drive public relations initiatives, media messaging, proactive storytelling, and reputation management efforts.
Develop communication strategies that strengthen franchisee confidence, trust, and system alignment.
Lead crisis communications planning, issue management, and stakeholder response strategies.
Create compelling stories that highlight our franchise owners, restaurant teams, guests, communities, and brand transformation journey.
Build communication processes, tools, and rhythms that improve clarity, consistency, and organizational alignment.
Partner closely with Legal, Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Technology, and external agency partners.