Vice President of Corporate Communications

The Vice President of Corporate Communications will serve as a senior communications strategist responsible for corporate reputation, financial and governance related communications, media relations, external storytelling, brand reputation, issues and crisis management, executive visibility, and integrated communications planning for Inspire and its brands. This role will report to the Chief Communications Officer.

This person will be pivotal in shaping corporate, executive, and financial communications, helping to best position the company in the public eye, influencing Inspire’s media coverage, and elevating Inspire’s story for an ever-expanding audience. The VP will drive strategies that increase awareness, foster trust and loyalty, and promote the company, its brands, and leaders.

Success in this role requires close collaboration across the communications team and a strong one‑team mindset, with the flexibility to move beyond defined verticals and day‑to‑day responsibilities in response to evolving business needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Communications Leadership

• Lead a dynamic team of communications professionals to support business and career development
• Execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that elevates the reputation of Inspire and its brands
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership on communications opportunities, risks, and messaging
• Collaborate with Enterprise Communications team to support senior leadership communications initiatives
• Collaborate with Enterprise Communications team to align enterprise level messaging, including corporate positioning, brand purpose, and stakeholder engagement
• Ensure consistency and clarity of messaging across Inspire’s portfolio of brands while supporting unique brand identities
• Support external speaking opportunities for Inspire team members and executives
• Identify and leverage tech-enabled solutions to optimize team performance and output

Media Relations & External Communications

• Lead corporate media relations, including proactive storytelling and reactive issue response
• Proactive media sentiment monitoring to influence Inspire messaging
• Build and maintain relationships with key reporters, national business media, and trade outlets
• Prepare leadership for media opportunities

Crisis & Issues Management

• Lead brand reputation communication strategy, preparedness, and real-time‑response plans and execution
• Advise cross functional teams on risk mitigation and scenario planning

Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary Corporate Communications team
• Implement continuous improvement practices based on business needs and industry trends
• Closely collaborate with teams across the organization
• Champion a flexible, enterprise‑first approach that supports evolving priorities across Inspire and its brands
• Identify and leverage tools, technology, and best practices to improve team effectiveness and output

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, with significant experience in public company environments
• 4-year Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred
• Proven leadership in executive visibility, reputation management, and high-stakes media relations
• Demonstrated success advising senior executives on strategic communications.
• Experience in multiband, franchise, retail, foodservice, or consumer-facing industries preferred
• Track record overseeing integrated communications strategies across corporate and brand teams preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR ABILITIES

• Exceptional storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex business topics into clear, compelling, and impactful narratives
• Strategic thinker with global perspective and ability to anticipate reputational challenges and opportunities
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align communications to organizational and commercial goals
• Collaborative, influential leader skilled at navigating matrixed organizations
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment
• Agility in a dynamic environment and proactively takes ownership to drive outcomes
• A self-starter with proven ability to work well independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Calm, decisive, and effective under pressure in fast-moving environments

 This position is based in our Atlanta Support Center, with an expected on-site presence of 80%.

 

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.