External Communications Director

Aramark

Philadelphia, PA

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Coaching, Community Relations, Content Development, Crisis Management, Cross-Functional, Editing, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Event Management, Food Services, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Industry/Trade Analysis, Legal, Marketing, Metrics, Multitasking, Project Tracking, Project/Program Management, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Thought Leadership, Time Management, Trend Analysis, Twitter
LOCATION
Philadelphia, PA
POSTED
2 days ago

Job Description

The Director of External Communications will provide strategic counsel and lead the development and execution of communications strategies, plans, and tactics to positively promote Aramark's brand and protect its reputation. This role requires a seasoned communications professional with expertise in media relations, issues management, and project management, capable of functioning independently with sound business judgment and delivering both strategic and tactical results.

The successful candidate will bring experience across diverse disciplines, including writing and editing, news content development, executive coaching, crisis and issues management, and stakeholder engagement. This individual must thrive in high-pressure environments, inspire confidence among executives and clients, and ensure consistency of messaging and execution across the organization.

Job Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement external communications strategies that elevate Aramark's brand and safeguard its reputation.
  • Lead media relations efforts, including proactive outreach, managing interviews, and handling sensitive issues with tact and professionalism.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, providing coaching and building sponsorship for communications strategies.
  • Research industry trends and identify compelling themes to position Aramark as a thought leader.
  • Create and edit sophisticated issue-response materials, including media statements, FAQs, and talking points.
  • Manage crisis and issues communications across mainstream and social media platforms.
  • Oversee project management for multiple complex initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.
  • Develop and monitor communications metrics to measure reach and impact.
  • Media train spokespeople and manage external events.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align company interests with client and front-line team needs.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and resiliency in navigating challenges and pursuing innovative solutions.

Scope & Relationships

  • Reports to: Vice President, External Communications
  • Key relationships: Sector Presidents, Regional Vice Presidents, Legal, Community Relations, Marketing
  • Requires in-office presence four days per week.
  • Knowledge of food and facility services and experience promoting corporate community relations activities is a plus.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Minimum 12 years of experience in communications, with a strong focus on media relations.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects with urgency and precision.
  • Exceptional writing and content creation skills; ability to produce clear, compelling materials under tight deadlines.
  • Strong knowledge of social media channels and tactics to protect and elevate brand reputation.
  • Familiarity with AI tools for public relations and experience leveraging them effectively.
  • Demonstrated success advising and influencing senior executives.
  • Experience in both corporate and agency environments preferred.

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what youre pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About the Company

A

Aramark

We focus on enriching and nourishing the lives of millions all over the world, providing a wide range of services—food, facilities and uniforms—to a diverse group of clients in 19 countries. We serve world champion sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, state-of-the-art healthcare providers and the world’s leading educational institutions. And every day, we dream of ways to do it better through our commitment to innovation and our passion for excellent customer service.

Innovation inspired by you
The better we know the people we serve, the greater the experiences we can develop. Whether it’s food service, facilities or uniforms, our proprietary programs allow us to understand the wants and needs of our audiences.

Armed with that knowledge, our Service Stars spring into action, combining insights and ingenuity to deliver moments that make a difference. These innovations could be game-changing campus transformations. Or a simpler, quicker way for you to access condiments at the ballpark. In any case, our innovations help create experiences that make an impact.

Beyond great service
Another key part of what makes us different is something we call service excellence.

To us, service excellence isn’t just about providing great customer service. It also means using time-tested practices and proven processes to get it right every day, everywhere, in everything that we do. And it's also about striking the perfect balance between doing something well over and over again and being responsive enough to the changing needs of clients and customers. It’s being open to the continuing cycle of innovation. Excellent, but never satisfied. Process-driven, but never locked in place.

We never stop thinking of new, better ways to get it right when our people impact the lives of clients and consumers every day.

Our people make all the difference—we make sure of it
Our commitment to hiring, training and rewarding the right people ensures that our employees are more than just hard workers. They’re Service Stars, and that means they can be counted on to go above and beyond, every single day.

We understand that many times our people are literally the face of your business. That’s why all 270,000 Service Stars receive continual access to professional development and proprietary skills training.

The bottom line is this: when you work with Aramark, you can be confident you’ll be collaborating with the right people with the right skills and the right attitude. That’s true whether it’s for strategic expertise, operational excellence or just serving a morning coffee. That’s our commitment as trusted partners and Service Stars. That’s the Aramark way.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Food and Beverage Production
FOUNDED
1936
WEBSITE
https://www.aramark.com/