senior manager, crisis & issues communications

Starbucks•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company—one rooted in coffee, connection, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and communities we serve. That commitment guides how we lead, how we communicate, and how we show up every day. As a Senior Manager on the Global Communications team, you will play a meaningful leadership role supporting communications for our retail and coffeehouse operations. This role helps ensure Starbucks is understood, trusted, and represented with clarity and care—internally and externally—across a wide range of business moments. In this role, you will help shape and execute thoughtful, integrated communications that protect and elevate the Starbucks brand. You will partner closely with leaders across the company to provide strategic counsel, guide media engagement, and deliver clear, consistent messaging aligned with our Mission and Values. This is an opportunity for a communications leader who brings strong judgment, a love of media relations, and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence. You are energized by collaboration, committed to accuracy, and known for helping leaders communicate with credibility and empathy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a preferred minimum of 10 years of advanced experience in consulting and working with senior leaders in the design, development, and execution of issues and crisis communications strategies and initiatives.
Experience establishing collaborative initiatives with multiple departments.
Demonstrated project management experience, providing effective oversight across the design, delivery, and outcome stages.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks, work independently, and maintain confidentiality.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills, a proven track record of building strong collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

Lead integrated communications supporting Starbucks’ retail and coffeehouse operations, translating complex business priorities into clear, effective messaging for external audiences.
Serve as a trusted communications advisor to leaders at all levels, including senior leaders, providing thoughtful counsel and preparation for key moments.
Partner closely across cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, consistency, and shared accountability.
Champion strong media relations by leading day-to-day engagement, building durable reporter relationships, and advocating for accurate, fair, and contextual coverage.
Develop high-quality communications materials—including key messages, press statements, Q&As, fact sheets, and executive briefings—that reflect Starbucks’ values and business priorities.
Operate with sound judgment, attention to detail, and a bias for action in a fast-paced, highly visible environment; measure impact and continuously refine approach.
Contribute to global media initiatives that thoughtfully increase Starbucks’ visibility and understanding.

Benefits

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits.
Partners have access to 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, and two personal days per year.
Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools.
Additionally, Starbucks offers 100%25 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, and access to other educational opportunities.
You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement.
Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies.
This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative.
For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.
If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above.
For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.