Sr. Lead Advisor, Field Public Relations

Corporate Communications and External Affairs exists to enhance and protect the reputation of Chick-fil-A so we can fully live out our Corporate Purpose. 
 
This role sits within Public Relations which exists to shape, protect and amplify the good name of Chick-fil-A by strengthening our reputation and increasing brand awareness through strategic communication to support and enable global growth.

The Senior Lead Advisor, Field Public Relations role is responsible for media relations at the local and market level. Focus areas include issues management, priority markets and emerging new restaurant openings.  They play a critical role in shaping narratives, amplifying community impact, and protecting Chick-fil-A’s reputation through strategic media engagement and thoughtful crisis and issues response. This position operates at the intersection of crisis communications, public relations, and reputation—navigating high-stakes issues while uncovering opportunities to elevate how the brand is understood and experienced in the public eye.

This role requires a seasoned communicator with a deep understanding of the media landscape, organizational priorities, and external stakeholder dynamics. The Senior Lead Advisor leads both reactive and proactive media efforts at the local and market level, counseling leaders, partnering across internal functions, and cultivating trusted relationships with journalists.

This role provides real-time communications support during sensitive or high-profile issues.  This role also develops and executes media engagement strategies around new restaurant openings and moments of heightened visibility in emerging and priority markets. This person is responsible for identifying and capturing local Owner-Operators stories that reinforce Chick-fil-A’s brand reputation at both the restaurant and corporate levels.

This role will also provide issues management support to an international market to protect and shape Chick-fil-A’s reputation globally.

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.

• Provide communications support on behalf of the brand and local Owner-Operators across markets during sensitive or high-profile issues, collaborating with Public Affairs and Operators to ensure alignment and brand protection.
• Serve as a lead responder for media-related issues submitted through Chick-fil-A’s media inquiry hotline, managing complex inquiries with sound judgment and strategic foresight.
• Lead proactive and responsive media relations efforts that align with Chick-fil-A’s reputation priorities, partnering closely with external creative and video production teams to capture content that supports media coverage of key messages and reputation-driving stories.
• Partner with regionalized External Affairs Advisors to support proactive work in key markets to identify and capture local stories that support the brand’s reputation goals and community impact priorities.
• Develop and execute media engagement strategies for new restaurant openings in high-profile, complex, or emerging markets, including:
  
  • Oversee and deploy agency partners to implement comprehensive local media and community engagement plans.
  • Supporting local Owner-Operators in their public-facing roles to ensure strong and values-aligned community visibility.
  • Anticipating and mitigating potential reputation risks during periods of heightened exposure
• Coach and prepare spokespeople, including Owner-Operators and internal leaders, to represent Chick-fil-A effectively in media interviews, equipping them with messaging frameworks, delivery techniques, and situational readiness.
• Coordinate with agency partners and internal collaborators to develop key messaging, media toolkits, press releases, and other external communications assets.
• Promote a learning culture by documenting insights, evaluating media performance, and sharing recommendations for continuous improvement.

(Estimated effort distribution: 40% media relations, strategy & issues management, 40% market/Owner-Operator, 20% content development and planning.)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience in media relations, corporate communications, or reputation management, with a strong track record managing high-stakes, time-sensitive issues.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, with the ability to build trusted relationships with local, regional, and national journalists.
• Excellent interpersonal and consulting skills; able to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization—from Owner-Operators to senior executives.
• Exceptional writing and messaging capabilities, with the ability to simplify complex issues for public understanding.
• Collaborative mindset and strong ability to work across functions, teams, and external partners.
• Familiarity with tools for media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and trust

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in media relations, corporate communications, or reputation management, with a strong track record managing high-stakes, time-sensitive issues.
• Fluent in English and Spanish. 
• Strategic communications planning and project management. 
• Ability to develop and deliver customized media training sessions for Operators and spokespeople.
• Experience working in a communications agency and/or professional media environment.
• Experience working in retail, consumer goods, and/or quick service restaurant (QSR) industry. 
• Understanding of franchised and/or highly matrixed organizations.