DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Job Summary

Canteen is seeking a polished, engaged, energetic Director of Communications to join our Charlotte basaed leadership team. The Director of Communications leads the strategic development, execution, and performance of integrated communications across Canteen's corporate and field organization. This role is responsible for shaping a cohesive narrative that strengthens associate engagement, elevates brand storytelling, crisis management, and aligns communications with business priorities. Accurate, clear, consistent communication aligned with business priorities is a must.

As Director of Communications, you play a critical role in supporting business priorities, strengthening associate engagement, and driving clarity and consistency across corporate and field teams nationwide. You will shape how our story is told-elevating communications to better connect, align, and inspire thousands of associates.

This is a high-impact role with the opportunity to elevate communications at scale within a complex, fast-moving organization, partnering directly with senior leadership to deliver clear, effective, and influential messaging.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

· Develop and execute a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy aligned with Canteen’s business goals

· Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on messaging, positioning, and organizational communications

· Ensure consistent voice, tone, and narrative across all platforms and audiences

Associate Engagement & Internal Communications

· Lead all communications to Canteen associates across corporate and field environments

· Design and implement engagement campaigns that inform, inspire, and connect associates to the business

· Implement, define strategy, and execute associate recognition programs that reinforce culture, performance, and values

Brand Storytelling & Content Strategy

· Own Canteen’s associate-facing content strategy, including editorial planning and channel optimization to ensure a consistent narrative and leadership visibility is known to all associates.

· Elevate and articulate the Canteen brand through compelling storytelling

· Ensure alignment with Compass Group brand standards and messaging frameworks

Executive Communications

· Develop executive profiles and thought leadership platforms

· Lead and develop C-suite communications including speeches, scripts, and key messaging

· Prepare leaders for internal and external engagements

Campaigns, Programs & Execution Oversight

· Provide strategic direction for communication campaigns, initiatives, and events, ensuring alignment and integration across channels

· Oversee execution, ensuring timelines, quality, and consistency

· Ensure communication plans are in place for key business initiatives, leadership events and enterprise programs.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in communications, corporate communications, marketing, or related field

· 10+ years of progressive communications experience, preferably within the food industry, managing a complex, multi-site organization

   Proven experience supporting executive leadership and managing high-visibility communications

· Strong expertise in internal communications, content strategy, and brand storytelling

· Experience in crisis communications and public relations

· Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills

· Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization

· Experience within hospitality, foodservice, retail, or similarly distributed workforce