VP, Communications

National Restaurant Association • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are proud to be part of a highly respected industry, providing hospitality, opportunity, and quality of life. Much like the industry we represent, we have a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive culture, grounded in trust, hospitality, collaboration, and innovation. These are the core values that inspire our work, and what we are looking for in a Vice President, Communications. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer you will be responsible for developing and overseeing the communications, plan, team, and budget, as well as partnering with leaders across the enterprise to develop and execute a communications strategy that aligns with the organization’s overall strategy. As Vice President, Communications, you will support the work of the public affairs team, programs, products, and services to ensure effective communication, overseeing outside agencies and vendors and collaborating on enterprise-wide campaigns and initiatives with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to enhance the industry's image. Ideal candidates bring a minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience, developing highly visible and integrated communications programs within a member-based, or advocacy organization, including expertise in Media Relations strategy and message positioning. The position requires a proven track record of successfully leading teams and competing priorities and building collaborative relationships between internal and external partners. Must bring exceptional writing skills and previous experience supporting executive and crisis communications. Position operates out of our DC office, with a required three days onsite, Monday – Wednesday with flexibility to work remote on Thursday and Friday. The work you will do as Vice President, Communications, will play a pivotal role in shaping and telling the story of opportunity that restaurants create, driving measurable engagement, and reaffirming the impact of restaurants and their place in communities. We look forward to hearing from you! We are proud to offer our team members comprehensive benefits, designed to support their financial, professional, and personal well-being. In addition to outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), competitive salaries, generous vacation and leave time, we offer a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, including learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, marketing, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, including 5 years in a managerial role, preferably within a member-based, or advocacy organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing proactive, always-on media relations strategies that measurably increase share of voice and position the Association as an authoritative industry leader.
• Extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, executive communications, and advocacy within complex organizations.
• Proven success in crisis management
• Established relationships with media and analyst communities.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills; confident presenting ideas and concepts to senior leadership.
• Strong strategic planning, project, and budget management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to guide messaging with diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity across diverse stakeholders and audiences.
• Highly adaptable; able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Leadership skills, including mentoring, coaching, and team building.
• Analytical and critical thinking abilities; strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Occasional travel required (estimate 10%).

Responsibilities

• Communication Strategy, Vision, and Leadership Define and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that articulates and advances the Association’s corporate narrative and thought leadership across all programs, products, and services.
• Collaborate with integrated marketing team leaders to develop campaigns and initiatives that advance the Association’s strategic goals.
• Lead the development and execution of an integrated thought leadership plan, leveraging executive voices – including CEO, EVP of Public Affairs, Chief Economist, and Board Chairs -- to shape public discourse, influence policy, articulate the industry’s story, and elevate the Association’s authority.
• Lead crisis communication planning and execution in partnership with legal and executive teams, ensuring the Association’s reputation is protected and its position is clearly communicated during high-stakes situations.
• Build and lead the Communications Council for the communication members of the National Restaurant Association Partner with the Marketing leads to manage a proactive partnership with the state restaurant association staff.
• Media Relations & Industry Positioning Oversee development and implementation of a proactive, always-on media relations program that consistently raises awareness and grows the Association’s share of voice on key industry and policy issues.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with media and influencer communities, identifying opportunities for coverage and ensuring rapid, strategic response to emerging news and trends.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for increased visibility, and adjust strategies to maximize impact.
• Speech Writing & Executive Communications Oversee development and production of speeches, talking points, presentations, and executive communications for the CEO, Board, and senior leadership, ensuring consistent, impactful messaging that aligns with the Association’s strategic priorities and thought leadership objectives.
• Identify and prepare executive stakeholders for high-profile speaking engagements, media appearances, and industry events.
• Collaborate with executives to craft compelling narratives that reinforce the Association’s position as an industry leader and trusted voice.
• Storytelling & Advocacy Support Drive storytelling initiatives that highlight the restaurant industry’s contributions to communities, economic growth, and workforce opportunity creation.
• Develop compelling narratives and positioning frameworks that support advocacy efforts, policy positions, and member engagement, ensuring all communications reinforce the Association’s image, identity, and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with Public Affairs, Programs, Products, and Services teams to ensure communication strategies support their objectives and drive measurable engagement.
• Communications Operations & Team Leadership Direct the activities of external agencies and consultants responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies on behalf of the Association.
• Oversee day-to-day activities of the communications function, including budgeting, planning, and staff development.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the media relations and communications department staff to achieve the Association’s communication goals, objectives, and strategic priorities.
• Define team growth and development pathways, ensuring clear advancement and skill-building opportunities.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead workforce planning and recruitment to ensure the team’s structure and capabilities align with evolving organizational needs.
• Reporting and Measurement Establish core communication metrics and KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, media relations and storytelling initiatives Develop and maintain dashboards and regular reporting processes to track performance, share insights with leadership, and inform decision-making.

Benefits

• outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision)
• competitive salaries
• generous vacation and leave time
• matching 401(k) plan
• a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships
• programs to support career and skills development, including learning and tuition assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive