director, crisis and issues communications

Starbucks; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Tuition coverage

Paid vacation

Holiday pay

Personal days

Bean Stock equity

Disability insurance

Backup care

DACA reimbursement

Job summary

Starbucks is seeking a Director of Crisis and Issues Communications to lead high-profile reputation work, risk mitigation, and rapid response across external and internal audiences.

You will partner with Legal, Partner Resources, Coffeehouse Operations, Government Affairs and Investor Relations to shape messaging, develop playbooks, and build a scalable issues-response capability while guiding senior leaders through complex business challenges.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in crisis and issues communications from consumer brand, retail, political campaigns or similar high-profile, high-volume organizations.
• Proven experience in influencing perceptions through deep media relations and navigating a fast-moving social media landscape.
• Proven experience in leading cross functional teams to solve complex problems with urgency, including leading up to top organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team responsible for communications strategy and response for issues that could impact the business or trust in Starbucks.
• Advise Leaders Through Complex Business Challenges as a trusted communications counselor to cross-functional leaders.
• Build and lead the company's issues response capability with scalable processes and playbooks.

Skills

Crisis communications

Media relations

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Job description

Now Brewing – director, crisis and issues communications! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

This role leads some of Starbucks most visible and fast-moving reputation work, notably risk mitigation, and crisis and issues response. The person in this role partners closely with Legal, Partner Resources, Coffeehouse Operations, Government Affairs and Investor Relations to navigate complex, high-profile business and coffeehouse issues, creating and executing scenario plans, playbooks and response strategies. Success requires strong judgment, the ability to make decisions and communicate effectively in rapidly changing situations, the ability to influence across the enterprise, and experience building teams, processes and systems that enable confident, coordinated responses at scale. The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications leader with proven media relations experience and who thrives in a dynamic environment. This role balances long-term reputation strategy with real-time business priorities.

Protect and Strengthen Starbucks Reputation

Lead a small team responsible for communications strategy and response for issues that could impact the business or trust in Starbucks, ensuring the company communicates quickly, thoughtfully and consistently across external and internal audiences, including partners (employees) as well as traditional and social media.

Advise Leaders Through Complex Business Challenges

Serve as a trusted, solutions-oriented communications counselor to cross-functional leaders, partnering closely with Legal, Partner Resources, Operations, Government Affairs and Investor Relations to assess risk, shape messaging and guide decisions in fast-moving situations.

Build and Lead the Company's Issues Response Capability

Develop and maintain the processes, plans, relationships and team readiness needed to identify emerging issues early, coordinate responses at scale and ensure Starbucks is prepared for both anticipated and unexpected challenges.

We’dloveto Hear From People With

• 10+ years of experience in crisis and issues communications from consumer brand, retail, political campaigns or similar high-profile, high-volume organizations.
• Proven experience in influencing perceptions through deep media relations and navigating a fast-moving social media landscape.
• Proven experience in leading cross functional teams to solve complex problems with urgency, including leading up to top organizational leadership.

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

• If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation or 1(888) 611-2258