DIR, COMMUNICATIONS (REMOTE)

Compass Group USA; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Compass Group USA, through Chartwells Higher Education, is seeking a Director of Communications to partner with senior leaders and align business priorities with compelling storytelling across internal and external audiences.

You will guide crisis communications, develop integrated strategies, and oversee executive messaging and thought leadership, shaping the company’s reputation and growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field.
• 6+ years of progressive communications experience in corporate, agency, hospitality, or fast-paced organizations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Proven success in crisis communications and issues management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead enterprise or integrated communications strategies across audiences and channels.
• Experience managing external public relations agencies or communications partners.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the organization’s enterprise communications strategy across internal, external, executive, crisis, media, and reputation communications.
• Lead crisis communications and issues management, including preparedness, messaging development, executive counsel, escalation, response coordination, and execution.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Communications Manager.
• Lead media relations and oversee the external public relations agency, setting strategy and identifying storytelling and reputation-building opportunities.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders and cross-functional partners, translating business priorities, organizational changes, and emerging issues into clear communications.
• Lead storytelling efforts across the organization and elevate stories that showcase our people, innovation, partnerships, culture, and impact.
• Oversee executive communications, thought leadership strategies, leadership messages, presentations, talking points, and organizational announcements.
• Serve as a senior editorial voice, ensuring communications are clear, compelling, accurate, consistent, and aligned with business priorities.
• Establish communications measurement and reporting and apply emerging communications tools and technologies, including artificial intelligence, search, and generative engine optimization.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

At over 300 college & universities around the country,Chartwells Higher Education is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience. We are challenging the norm and setting new standards by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. We are food-forward difference makers, bound together by a desire to feed hungry minds and prepare students for success.

We are seeking hungry, humble and smart associates who are looking to join and grow with a diverse organization. We invite you to start your career journey with us and look forward to hearing from you.

Job Summary

Job Summary

The Director of Communications will work closely with senior leaders to connect business priorities to compelling communications, elevate stories from across the business, and build communications practices that support growth, trust, and engagement.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Communications & Creative Services, this role leads crisis communications and issues management and helps shape integrated communications strategies across internal and external audiences. With support from the Communications Manager and external PR agency, the Director connects messaging and storytelling across platforms, provides trusted communications counsel, and ensures work is sharp, accurate, and effective.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the organization’s enterprise communications strategy across internal, external, executive, crisis, media, and reputation communications.
• Lead crisis communications and issues management, including preparedness, messaging development, executive counsel, escalation, response coordination, and execution.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Communications Manager.
• Lead media relations and oversee the external public relations agency, setting strategy and identifying storytelling and reputation‑building opportunities.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders and cross‑functional partners, translating business priorities, organizational changes, and emerging issues into clear communications.
• Lead storytelling efforts across the organization and elevate stories that showcase our people, innovation, partnerships, culture, and impact.
• Oversee executive communications, thought leadership strategies, leadership messages, presentations, talking points, and organizational announcements.
• Serve as a senior editorial voice, ensuring communications are clear, compelling, accurate, consistent, and aligned with business priorities.
• Establish communications measurement and reporting and apply emerging communications tools and technologies, including artificial intelligence, search, and generative engine optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive communications experience in a corporate, agency, hospitality, or similarly fast‑paced organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex information into engaging content.
• Proven success in crisis communications and issues management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead enterprise or integrated communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels.
• Deep expertise in executive communications, internal communications, media relations, organizational messaging, reputation management, and thought leadership.
• Experience managing external public relations agencies or communications partners.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Relationship‑builder who can influence and collaborate with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Interest in social media, artificial intelligence, search, generative engine optimization, and evolving communications practices.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Chartwells Higher Education is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Chartwells Higher Ed maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Chartwells Higher Edare offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.