DIR, COMMUNICATIONS (remote, NC, US, remote)

Location: Salary: 115,000-125,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 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