DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Job Summary

Bon Appetit is seeking a Director of Communications to join our dynamic team! The Director of Communications is a strategic leader responsible for shaping, protecting, and amplifying Bon Appétit Management Company’s brand voice and reputation. This role oversees a talented communications team and drives proactive media engagement, storytelling, internal communications, and crisis response in alignment with the company’s mission, values, and business objectives.The Director works closely with the Vice President of Communications and company leadership to ensure that all communications reflect Bon Appétit’s distinctive culture of culinary innovation, sustainability leadership, and people-first hospitality.

Key Responsibilities include: 
Media Relations
•    Manage all incoming media requests (outside of student newspapers), arrange interviews, and develop tailored talking points and briefing materials.
•    Lead proactive media relations, identifying and pitching compelling Bon Appétit stories to national and regional media outlets under the guidance of the VP of Communications.
•    Identify and secure speaking engagements for senior leadership; manage all logistics, stakeholder coordination, and event promotion.
•    Collaboratively lead the storytelling team to develop integrated content plans that engage media, guests, clients, and partners.

Crisis and Sensitive Communications
•    Oversee all brand reputation efforts, providing counsel and editorial review on all sensitive communications.
•    Serve as a sounding board and advisor on emerging issues and risk management.
•    Act as company spokesperson during crises that attract mainstream media attention.
•    Conduct regular audits of bamco.com website content to ensure relevance, accuracy, and consistency with organizational goals.
•    Oversee production of company publications including Bravo and Grazie Mille as well as video content, white papers, and other publications in partnership with the storytelling team.

Social Media
•    Supervise content developers to ensure storytelling goals are supported through strategic social media engagement.
•    Evaluate and refine social media content strategies to strengthen brand presence and thought leadership

Internal Communications
•    Provide leadership and strategic oversight for all internal communications efforts. 
•    Ensure internal messages reinforce Bon Appétit’s values, culture, and business goals, and align with external messaging.
•    Partner with corporate departments, executive leadership, and parent company Compass Group on key internal communications initiatives.
•    Oversee the work of the internal communications manager on the development and distribution of companywide newsletters, webcasts, and executive communications.
•    Support internal communication during crises or urgent company updates, ensuring tone, timing, and accuracy.
•    Provide editorial and strategic guidance on the company intranet (Cervello), internal newsletters, and other internal channels.

Preferred Qualifications: 
•    Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
•    10+ years of progressive communications experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
•    Proven success in media relations, reputation management, and crisis communications.
•    Strong writing, editorial judgment, and storytelling skills.
•    Excellent interpersonal, project management, and mentoring abilities, including ability to work diplomatically and effectively with multiple executive leaders.
•    Familiarity with the food service, hospitality, or sustainability sectors is preferred.