Sr. Director, Communications, Popeyes US&C

Popeyes is seeking an experienced, strategic communications leader to be the senior communications advisor to the Popeyes U.S. and Canada President and be an integral member of the Popeyes leadership team. This role leads communications strategy across internal, franchisee, executive, and external (guest) audiences, ensuring every communication reinforces our business priorities, strengthens trust, and contributes to traffic and sales growth. 

This senior role reports to the Chief Corporate Officer for RBI but is also accountable to the brand president. This executive will translate business strategy into compelling narratives, guide leaders through high-profile and crisis moments, and ensure communications ensure alignment across ~4,000 restaurants, franchisees, and corporate team members throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

Core Responsibilities 

Executive Leadership & Strategic Counsel 

• Serve as the primary communications advisor to the Popeyes President and Executive Leadership Team, helping shape messaging, business priorities and strategic communications plans.  

• Develop executive communications for high-profile moments, including franchisee and leadership meetings, earnings support, annual Convention, Town Halls, media interviews, speaking engagements, and organizational announcements.  

• Partner closely with Investor Relations and senior leadership to align earnings messaging and executive scripts with broader business strategy and brand positioning.  

• Provide communications counsel during sensitive business decisions, organizational changes, and complex stakeholder situations.  

Enterprise Communications Strategy 

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy across internal, franchisee, restaurant and external audiences.  

• Translate complex business initiatives into clear, compelling communications that drive understanding, engagement and execution.  

• Ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels while strengthening the Popeyes brand narrative.  

• Simplify complex information into clear, actionable messaging for diverse audiences. 

Franchisee & Restaurant Communications 

• Lead the communications strategy for Popeyes franchisees and restaurant leaders across approximately 4,000 restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada.  

• Oversee key franchisee communication channels including annual Convention, Franchise Board meetings, Roadshows, webcasts, newsletters, system updates, and operational communications.  

• Partner with Operations, Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to support successful business initiatives and drive franchisee engagement. 

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement 

• Lead internal communications strategy to connect employees to business priorities, strengthen organizational culture, and reinforce the Popeyes vision.  

• Develop executive communications, organizational announcements and employee engagement initiatives that build alignment across Restaurant Support Centers and field teams.  

• Identify new communication channels and technologies that improve employee engagement and effectiveness. 

Public Relations & Brand Reputation 

• Lead corporate communications and public relations strategy in partnership with Marketing and external agency partners.  

• Drive proactive storytelling, executive thought leadership, corporate announcements, and reputation-building initiatives.  

• Support major product launches, business announcements, and strategic initiatives through integrated communications planning. 

Crisis & Issues Management 

• Lead communications planning and response for crisis situations and sensitive business issues.  

• Partner with Legal, Operations, Human Resources, and executive leadership to provide timely communications guidance that protects the Popeyes brand and minimizes business risk.  

• Maintain crisis communication plans, messaging frameworks, and response processes. 

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence 

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing communications team across franchisee communications, internal communications, and public relations.  

• Manage external agency partners, budgets, and communications vendors to maximize effectiveness and return on investment.  

• Establish communications KPIs, measure channel performance, and continuously improve communications based on audience insights and business outcomes.  

• Champion innovation by leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve content development, reporting, team efficiency, and communications effectiveness. 

Education And Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.  

• 15+ years of progressive communications experience, preferably within the restaurant, retail, hospitality or consumer industries.  

• Experience supporting senior executives and developing executive communications for high-visibility business moments.  

• Strong understanding of franchise business models and multi-unit operations preferred.  

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.  

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and provide strategic communications counsel.  

• Experience leading public relations, crisis communications, and reputation management initiatives.  

• Proven success leading cross-functional projects in complex, fast-paced organizations.  

• Strong people leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.  

• Experience using data and audience insights to evaluate communications effectiveness and inform strategy.  

• Passion for innovation and leveraging emerging technologies, including AI, to improve communications and team effectiveness. 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the RBI cultural beliefs: 

• Dream Big – life is too short for small dreams 

• Ownership – you value things more when you own them 

• Meritocracy – your growth is based entirely on what you do and how you do it 

• Diversity – a wide range of voices and perspectives makes us stronger 

• Creativity & Innovation – Find ways to do things differently to make them better 

• Authenticity – Be a hardworking, good person