📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Director, Corporate & External Communications
🔹 Company: Denny's
🔹 Location: Spartanburg, SC - 203 E. Main Street (29319)
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Corporate
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Directing Corporate and Brand Consumer & Business Public Relations and Crisis Communications
- Collaborating with Leadership Committee members, cross-functional leaders, and agency partners
- Developing and executing strategic communications plans
- Protecting and enhancing the brand reputation
- Managing and influencing people, with a constant sense of urgency
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and adaptability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development of Consumer and Corporate public relations strategies and media outreach
✅ Manage external PR agency execution and act as the agency's point-of-contact
✅ Lead reputation management and act as a strategic communications advisor to management
✅ Manage the daily activities of responding to potential crises across the brand
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure proper awareness and alignment on all related PR and corporate communication campaigns and processes
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, communications, public relations, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Experience: Must have 15+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field. Retail or restaurant experience is strongly preferred.
Required Skills:
- Strong communications skills, including excellent speaking, writing, and editing ability
- Excellent skills at managing and influencing people
- Excellent time management, prioritization, and organizational skills
- Possess the demeanor and adaptability to work with individuals at different levels within and outside the Brand
- Ability to adapt quickly to varying situations, make quick decisions, and take appropriate actions
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working across multicultural partners and/or agencies
- Proven experience in crisis communications
ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates with experience in multicultural environments and the restaurant industry may have a competitive advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior Director role in the restaurant industry with 15+ years of experience)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, with the possibility of occasional evenings and weekends as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Denny's is a publicly traded company in the restaurant industry, specializing in breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining.
Company Size: Denny's has 10,001+ employees, making it a large corporation with extensive resources and opportunities for growth.
Founded: Denny's was founded in 1953 and has since grown to become a well-known and beloved American brand.
Company Description:
- Denny's is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran's status, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local law.
- Denny's participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Company Specialties:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining
- Famous for its pancakes and other breakfast items
- Known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
Company Website: http://www.dennys.com
ASSUMPTION: Denny's is a well-established company with a strong brand and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior leadership level, reporting directly to the CEO or another high-level executive.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Director will oversee two direct reports and collaborate with various cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and human resources.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for meetings or other specific needs.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a C-level position within the company
- Opportunities to lead and mentor junior team members
- Chance to make a significant impact on the company's brand and reputation
ASSUMPTION: Given the size and scope of Denny's, there are ample opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a professional and collaborative work environment
Office Location(s): Spartanburg, SC - 203 E. Main Street (29319)
Geographic Context:
- Spartanburg is located in upstate South Carolina, with a population of approximately 38,000 people
- The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas
- Spartanburg has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, with the possibility of occasional evenings and weekends as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Denny's headquarters is professional, collaborative, and focused on driving results and maintaining the company's strong brand.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other senior leaders
- Final interview with the CEO or another high-level executive
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to articulate a clear vision
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Denny's values
- Experience in crisis communications and managing high-pressure situations
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Research Denny's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization
ATS Keywords: Public Relations, Crisis Communications, Strategic Communication, Brand Management, Leadership, Communication Skills, Proactivity
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Denny's is designed to assess the candidate's fit for the role and the company's culture, with a focus on communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Cision or other media database software
- Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- Crisis communication software or platforms (e.g., OnSolve, Agility PR Solutions)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the communications industry and can be learned or mastered with relative ease.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Teamwork
- Innovation
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of success in public relations and crisis communications?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment and enjoy working with cross-functional teams?
ASSUMPTION: Denny's values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with the company's values and culture are more likely to succeed in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external agencies, and media outlets
- Navigating potential crises and high-pressure situations
- Adapting to a large corporate environment with a wide range of departments and teams
ASSUMPTION: The Sr. Director of Corporate & External Communications role at Denny's presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Vice President of Corporate Communications or a Director of Public Relations in a large corporation
- Compared to other roles in the restaurant industry, this position has a broader scope and more strategic focus
- Career progression from this role could include advancement to a C-level position within the company or a similar role at another large corporation
ASSUMPTION: The Sr. Director of Corporate & External Communications role at Denny's is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a large corporation and make a significant impact on the company's brand and reputation.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive crisis communication plan for a hypothetical crisis
- Managing a team to create and execute a strategic communication plan for a new product launch or marketing campaign
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects provided are representative of the types of initiatives and responsibilities that the Sr. Director of Corporate & External Communications may be expected to manage and lead.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's approach to crisis communications and how this role fits into that strategy?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and teams within the organization?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company's brand and reputation, and how can this role address them?
- How does Denny's support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's long-term vision for this role and the communications department as a whole?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Research Denny's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
