Senior Retail Communications Lead

Starbucks; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition assistance (Starbucks College)

401(k) with employer match

Stock program (Bean Stock)

Paid time off & holidays

Backup care

Job summary

Starbucks is seeking a senior manager, Retail Communications to lead a team that guides North America partners on priorities, seasonal moments, and customer experiences.

You will develop and execute internal communications strategies, coach talent, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, delivering clear, timely, high-impact messages.

This role requires strong writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to simplify complex changes for frontline teams in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in internal, employee, retail or enterprise communications in a retail or retail-adjacent environment.
• A strong understanding of frontline audiences and how to keep them informed, prepared, and connected.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing communications professionals.
• Excellent judgment and ability to lead through sensitive, fast‑moving, or unclear situations.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to simplify complexity.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional work with PRO/HR, Legal, Operations, and senior leaders.
• Executive presence and comfort advising senior leaders.
• Experience with external communications and issues is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team with clear priorities and accountability.
• Build strategies to enable partner readiness for high-profile priorities and initiatives.
• Develop narratives that connect company priorities to frontline partner work.
• Turn strategic priorities into simple, engaging communications for partners.
• Advise senior leaders and influence timing and messaging across channels.
• Align teams across functions to deliver integrated communications plans.

Skills

Leadership & coaching

Executive presence

Strong writing/editing

Cross‑functional collaboration

Strategic storytelling

Audience understanding

Change management

Advisor to senior leaders

Job description

Starbucks is seeking a senior manager, Retail Communications to lead a team that guides North America partners on priorities, seasonal moments, and customer experiences.

You will develop and execute internal communications strategies, coach talent, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, delivering clear, timely, high-impact messages.

This role requires strong writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to simplify complex changes for frontline teams in a fast-paced retail environment.