Communications Manager

The Communications Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing a comprehensive multi-channel brand messaging strategy for internal and external communications that support Carl’s Jr. organizational goals, business objectives, operational initiatives, and key priorities. This role serves as a key communications partner for operations leadership, franchisees, FBCs, and field teams by delivering consistent, timely, and effective audience-focused messaging across all communication channels.

This role plays a critical role in developing and executing leadership and franchisee communications strategies, managing systemwide operational messaging, proactively managing communications calendars, and executing corporate and franchisee-facing events.

This position acts as the primary communication liaison between Restaurant Support Center (RSC) departments, company operations, franchisees, and field leadership ensuring consistent, timely, and effective messaging across all communication channels.

This role also oversees News to Know (NTK), the internal newsletter for franchisees and employees, and supports urgent business communications as needed.

• Owns end-to-end messaging strategy and accountability:
  Serves as the accountable owner for systemwide franchisee and field messaging strategy, determining what gets communicated, when, and through which channels. Is held responsible for consistency, accuracy, and brand alignment across all RSC-to-franchise communications.
• Has approval/gatekeeping authority:
  Reviews and approves communications from cross-functional RSC departments before franchise/field distribution, serving as the final checkpoint for messaging alignment and business-priority accuracy across the organization.
• Sets the strategic communications roadmap:
  Independently determines communications prioritization and sequencing across competing business initiatives, building and defending the 40-week communications roadmap in partnership with executive leadership.
• Represents comms function in leadership decision-making:
  Acts as the communications function's representative in cross-departmental planning and leadership discussions, advising executives on messaging risk, timing, and audience impact before initiatives launch.
• Manage and publish Star Comm communications and system-wide messaging.
• Create and maintain operational memos, communication briefs, and field-facing documentation.
• Gather feedback from franchise and company operators to improve communication effectiveness and engagement.
• Track the effectiveness of communications and recommend improvements based on cross-functional stakeholder feedback and engagement.

• Manage and oversee weekly News to Know (NTK) newsletter including content and messaging planning, development, editing, distribution, and archive administration.
• Coordinate and support internal calls including t-minus training calls, system event webinars including presentation development, supporting materials, follow-up communications, and surveys.
• Draft and execute audience-specific executive and field-facing communications, operational updates, memos, presentations, and newsletters as well as materials for digital platforms (including videos, Linked In posts, etc.), intranet content, and other internal communication channels that drive alignment with business priorities.
• Provide editing, proofreading, quality control, and project coordination support for communications materials and cross-functional initiatives.
• Manage and monitor the CKE Communications inbox and provide responses and/or follow-up as needed.
• Maintain and manage email distribution lists to ensure accurate delivery of communications.

• Serve as a communications liaison between corporate departments, franchisees, operations teams, and field leadership.
• Partner closely with operations leadership, cross-functional teams, FBCs, and field teams to ensure franchisees receive consistent, timely, accurate, and actionable information.
• Support commercialization and field rollout efforts through effective communication planning and execution.
• Lead the…