VP, Communications

Description

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 EVP of Enterprise Marketing and Communications, 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 experience, developing highly visible and integrated communications programs within a non-profit, member-based, or advocacy organization, including expertise in Media Relations strategy and established relationships with top-tier Media contacts. 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, drive measurable engagement, and reaffirm 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 coaching, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

Responsibilities

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• Support all internal team members and departments following the Association's mission and values while promoting Association culture.
  
• Manage media relations and communications department staff to develop and implement Association's communication goals, objectives, and strategic priorities.
  
• Create and lead industry image-promotion activities and develop and maintain the Association's image and identity through coordinated messaging.
  
• Create, develop, and coordinate key messaging and communications strategies to reach and inform critical audiences.
  
• Facilitate executive speaking opportunities and thought leadership programs.
  
• Manage communication flow to State Restaurant Associations and serve as communication support for member engagement team.
  
• Execute and deliver industry and Association messaging and communications to critical audiences around the Association's priorities.
  
• Direct activities of external agencies and consultants that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs on behalf of the Association.
  
• Provide coverage analysis and implement tools to determine the role and effectiveness of public relations programs and messaging campaigns.
  
• Partner with the People + Culture department to develop employee messages.
  
• Develop and produce internal and external written communications.
  
• Coordinate communications projects with other departments.
  
• Act as liaison between the Communications department and the board operations team to manage board member speaking and communication needs.
  
• Implement crisis communications plans in conjunction with the legal team.
  
• Further develop thought leadership for external and internal audiences.
  
• Work on special projects and other duties as required, helping to promote the department's success.
  

Requirements:

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• BA or BS in Journalism, Communication, or Marketing OR 15 years of PR/strategic communications experience, including 3-5 years in a managerial role.
  
• Significant expertise in journalism, public relations, editorial work, media relations, event management, campaigns, and writing.
  
• Proven success in media relations, crisis management, and social media strategy.
  
• Established relationships with media and analyst communities.
  
• Clear and persuasive written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong presentation skills; confident presenting ideas and concepts to senior leadership.
  
• Proven success in managing teams.
  
• Excellent strategic planning, project, and budget management skills.
  
• Strong strategic vision in areas of business and communications best practices; ability to guide messaging with diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity across a diverse set of stakeholders and audiences.
  
• Highly adaptable; ability to work well under pressure, within fast-paced and fluid environment both in office and virtual.
  
• Strategic acumen in business and communications.
  
• Extensive functional experience in communications and working with executives.
  
• Leadership skills, including mentoring and coaching.
  
• Proficiency in team building and consensus-building.
  
• Analytical and critical thinking abilities.
  
• Experience in building collaborative business and stakeholder relationships.
  
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
  
• Thoughtful interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
  
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work independently; a self-initiator, versatile and assumes risk with responsibility.
  
• Responsiveness to change and leads as a change agent.
  
• Computer proficiency across MS Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Ability to learn other computer software program/database systems as needed.
  
• Occasional travel may be required, estimate 10%.
  

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, genetic information and testing, family, and medical leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities and veterans to apply for our job openings. This commitment supports our policy of developing and capitalizing on the abilities of all our team members, as well as selecting, developing, and promoting those who are best qualified.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)