Communications Manager, Issues Management and Crisis Response (IMCR)

Ready to make your mark at an iconic global powerhouse? Join Yum! Brands - the parent company behind KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill - be a part of our reinvention for Greater Growth.

We are a culture-driven company where innovation, collaboration, and passion fuel everything we do. We’re seeking talented individuals to make a difference across our global business. Whether you’re just starting out or stepping into leadership, you’ll help shape our future by delivering results that matter and bringing your smart, heart, and courage to the table.

If you’re ready to grow with a company that values curiosity, high performance, and meaningful work—join us. Let’s build the future of Yum! together!

As the Issues Management & Crisis Response (IMCR) Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening how Yum! Brands anticipates, navigates, and responds to emerging risks and reputational challenges across its global footprint. This role supports enterprise-wide crisis preparedness, issue escalation, and real-time response in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Reporting to the Director, IMCR CoE, you will partner closely with brand communicators and cross-functional teams, including Legal, Operations, People & Culture, ESG, and Corporate Communications, to help shape response strategies, escalation protocols, and capability-building efforts. This role is well suited for a seasoned communications professional who brings strong crisis expertise, sound judgment, and a passion for protecting brand integrity.

Salary Range: $125,200 - $147,200 annually bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution and ongoing evolution of Yum!’s global issues management and crisis response capabilities.
• Provide strategic counsel, message development, and rapid response support during high-impact issues and crises.
• Help define, build, and operationalize IMCR escalation protocols, global playbooks, and response frameworks.
• Proactively identify and plan for emerging issues through horizon scanning, media monitoring, and stakeholder sentiment analysis.
• Design and deliver crisis preparedness training and simulation exercises for senior leaders and global teams.
• Build and maintain a centralized knowledge base of response templates, case studies, and best practices, including the use of monitoring and early-warning tools.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to brand teams, balancing tailored support with consistent enterprise standards.
• Coach and manage two direct reports and act as a delegate for the Director, IMCR CoE as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• 6-10 years of relevant experience in crisis communications, issues management, media relations, or corporate reputation roles, with demonstrated success navigating high-risk or high-visibility situations.
• Proven experience developing and executing communications strategies in response to business disruption, social controversy, operational challenges, or reputational risk.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and advisory skills, with the ability to guide senior leaders through high-pressure and ambiguous scenarios.
• Experience managing or supporting cross-functional initiatives within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Exceptional writing and messaging skills, particularly in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.
• High level of discretion, sound judgment, and comfort operating with urgency and sensitivity.
• Background in public affairs, corporate communications, media relations, or agency-side crisis management. (Preferred)
• Familiarity with risk monitoring tools, social listening platforms, and stakeholder mapping techniques. (Preferred)
• Experience working in global or multinational environments, with sensitivity to regional and cultural considerations. (Preferred)

Benefits: Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan). Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan. Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, a floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year. To learn more about working at Yum! -Click here.

At Yum!, one of our core values is to Believe in ALL People. This means seeing the value in everyone and unlocking their full potential to be their best self. YUM! Brands, Inc. (including its subsidiaries Yum Restaurant Services Group, LLC (“YRSG”) and Yum Connect, LLC (“Yum Digital and Technology”) (collectively, “Yum”) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Yum! is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.

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This posting will be open for a minimum of two weeks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected.

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