Manager, Corporate Communications

Role overview

Starbucks is looking for a Manager, Corporate Communications to join its Global Communications team in Seattle. This role focuses on protecting and reinforcing the company’s reputation when issues arise, with particular emphasis on digital and social communications, crisis response, and brand trust.

The position suits a communications professional who can stay composed in demanding situations, make sound decisions quickly, and turn strategy into clear action. You’ll work across internal and external audiences, helping shape messaging, guide responses, and support leaders through fast-moving reputational challenges.

What you will do

You will lead digital and social communications efforts for issues and crisis management, ensuring the company’s voice remains timely, consistent, and aligned with Starbucks values. You will also coordinate cross-functional response efforts from the first sign of an issue through resolution.

In addition, you will build and execute integrated communication plans and campaigns across owned, earned, and paid channels. A major part of the role involves tracking emerging risks across social, digital, and media environments and recommending practical actions to reduce risk or respond effectively.

You will provide real-time strategic advice and risk guidance to senior leaders and cross-functional partners during sensitive, high-pressure situations. The role also requires regular interaction with reporters, editors, platform and channel owners, employees, and other key stakeholders.

Ideal candidate profile

The right person is a calm and confident communicator who brings empathy, clarity, and judgment to difficult conversations. You should be comfortable navigating ambiguity, aligning different viewpoints, and helping move decisions forward.

This role also calls for a strong social and digital strategist who understands how online conversations spread and how they can influence public perception. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills are essential, along with a strong instinct for tone, timing, and audience.

You should be driven by purpose, accountability, and a desire to protect the trust people place in the brand.

Experience and qualifications

Starbucks is seeking someone with at least 5 years of experience building proactive narratives in corporate, campaign, advocacy, or agency communications settings. The role also requires proven capability in media relations, writing, online reputation management, and reputation-focused communications.

Success in this position depends on your ability to influence, inspire, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Work arrangement

This is an onsite role in Seattle, and the team works together in person four days a week.

Compensation note

The company states that base pay will depend on several factors, including job-related skills and knowledge, experience, location, and internal equity. Starbucks also notes that candidates are not usually hired at the top end of the pay range.

Benefits and perks

Eligible partners and their families may receive medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, along with other voluntary insurance options. Additional benefits can include short-term and long-term disability coverage, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, vacation time from the date of hire, sick time accrual, paid holidays, personal days, retirement savings with company match, stock-related programs, emergency savings support, financial wellness tools, tuition coverage for a first bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program, student loan support resources, backup care, and DACA reimbursement.

Vacation accrual and annual vacation grants vary by location and level. For employees in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND, or RI, vacation accrual is capped at 120 hours for roles below director and 200 hours for director-level and above roles, with higher caps in California. In other states, vacation begins at 120 hours per year for roles below director and 200 hours per year for director-level roles. Benefit details may change depending on collective bargaining arrangements where applicable.

Equal opportunity and accommodation

Starbucks is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Applicants with criminal histories will be reviewed in line with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Starbucks also provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities; assistance is available through the company’s accommodation contact or by phone at 1(888) 611-2258.