Sr. Principal Program Lead, Leadership Communications

Corporate Communications & External Affairs (CCEA) partners across the Chick-fil-A organization to execute effective, compelling communications that build culture, drive change and enhance the reputation of the company. The team delivers strategic messages across a variety of social, digital, video and event platforms to inspire and engage our internal and external audiences.

Specifically, this individual will consult and collaborate with Chick-fil-A’s senior-most leaders to create and execute comprehensive communications strategies that amplify their voices and vision in alignment with company values and goals. This individual will partner with other CCEA leaders to shape narratives, create impactful messages, and foster engagement with internal and external audiences.

To be successful in this role, the communicator must be resourceful, collaborative and able to quickly learn the business, its audiences and their needs. They must possess the ability to work under pressure and exercise significant discretion and business judgement.

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

• Leadership communications strategy:

Work in partnership with CCEA teams, including Corporate Communications, Global Impact, Public Relations and Public Affairs, to build and execute comprehensive, cohesive and forward-looking internal and external communications strategies for key leaders across communications platforms and channels.

• Cross-functional leadership:

Lead cross-functional alignment efforts and sequencing with CCEA and key internal stakeholders to ensure messages are consistent and well-timed, and to ensure all activations support the department’s broader reputational efforts.

• Executive consulting and preparation:

Serve as the primary CCEA advisor to the CEO and President with some support for the broader Executive Committee; organize and help facilitate prep sessions, leveraging CCEA subject matter experts to perform training and rehearsals as needed.

• Process and function development:

Establish and operationalize this new function by defining its goals, ways of working and processes with key partners; develop frameworks and standards to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Internal and external communications support:

Work closely with Corporate Communications to support internal communications opportunities that amplify business strategies and culture, and with External Affairs teams to support public-facing opportunities that drive favorable narratives and enhance Chick-fil-A’s reputation. Work with team members and agency partners to execute:

• • Speech writing and presentations: Craft talking points, presentations and scripts for speaking engagements, town halls, and interviews.
  • Content creation: Produce executive-level communications, including emails, letters, blogs and social media posts.
  • Crisis communications: Partner with CCEA Crisis Pod to ensure clear, confident messaging from leaders in times of crisis.

• Organizational Planning Communications:

Oversee communications of Chick-fil-A’s annual planning process, business plan and plan adjustments to Operators and Staff, partnering with Corporate Communications and Organizational Strategy & Planning.

• 7+ years of professional work experience 
• Experience in a corporate communications function or communications agency
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders on executive communications in complex and fast-paced organizations
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Track record as a communicator who thrives on managing a variety of initiatives concurrently and on deadline
• Self-starter able to work independently or in a group, adapt to shifting priorities, and who enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives

• 10+ years of professional work experience 
• Understanding of franchised and/or highly matrixed organizations
• Experience in quick service, food and beverage or hospitality industries
• Understanding of change communications theory and experience executing