Independent Purchasing Cooperative
Sr. Manager, Communications & Engagement
Independent Purchasing Cooperative, Miami, Florida, us, 33222
Overview
The Sr. Manager, Communications and Engagement, will partner in leading IPC's external and internal communications strategies, ensuring consistent, proactive and engaging messaging across multiple audiences. This role will oversee communications to IPC members (nearly 7,000 U.S. and Canada Subway® restaurant owners), suppliers, distributors and internal employees, while also driving culture-shaping activities that foster collaboration, transparency and trust. Additionally, this role will manage communications for IPC's two subsidiaries - Independent Purchasing Incorporated (IPI) and Independent Purchasing Incorporated Mexico (IPIM). This position will work with various departments within IPC - including but not limited to Strategic Sourcing, Distribution, and Member Support - to create content as needed for executive and board business updates, video scripts, and online communications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Communications Leadership Lead the development and execution of proactive, high-impact communication strategies across member, supplier, distributor, and employee audiences to enhance IPC's reputation and drive engagement. Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to craft and deliver executive-level messaging, including board communications, business updates, and video scripts. Direct communications for major initiatives such as membership initiatives, BOD elections, Dividends, food cost models, and digital platform enhancements, ensuring clarity, alignment, and timeliness. Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends; recommend and implement innovative tools, channels, and approaches to continuously improve communication effectiveness. Ensure strategic alignment and consistency across internal and external messaging by collaborating with the Subway® Communications team and other key stakeholders. Internal Communications & Culture
Lead internal communications and culture initiatives-including intranet content, newsletters, all-hands meetings, and engagement events-to foster transparency, inclusion, and connection across IPC. Collaborate with the Head of Communications, Culture, and Member Experience to ensure messaging aligns with organizational values and enhances employee experience. Draft and manage systemwide communications touchpoints, such as Quarterly Highlights and Quarterly Supply Chain Updates. Represent IPC Communications at key Subway® events-including MUO/Regional meetings, annual conventions, and the IPC Annual Meeting-to support planning and messaging consistency. Writing, Editing & Messaging
Craft clear, compelling communications that translate complex information into engaging content for diverse audiences, including executive and board-level stakeholders. Provide editorial support, including writing, editing, and proofreading for leadership communications, ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment with IPC's voice. Develop creative digital communications using tools such as MailChimp, MailBuild, or BeePro to visually enhance storytelling and engagement. Measurement & Process Optimization
Monitor communication effectiveness through analytics and stakeholder feedback; recommend and implement improvements to maximize impact. Maintain and optimize communications processes and systems-including approvals, trackers, and content workflows-to ensure efficiency and alignment across projects. Team Leadership & Collaboration
Oversee and mentor two direct reports, providing strategic guidance, coaching, and accountability to ensure high-quality deliverables. Serve as a key connector across business teams, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution to drive alignment and impact. Compliance & Governance Communications
Collaborate with Legal to manage IPC Board election communications and ensure regulatory requirements, compliance with timelines, materials and biographical updates. Maintain processes for communications content approval, including editing and proofreading for leadership and ensuring consistency across channels. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences, including members, suppliers, distributors, employees, Board, and ELT. Skilled in creating high-quality content across multiple formats and channels-presentations, videos, internal announcements, web content, and social media. Strong presentation and facilitation capabilities for senior-level meetings and corporate events. Advanced knowledge of corporate communications best practices, including brand reputation, trust-building, and leadership campaigns. Proficient in content management systems, intranet platforms, email campaign tools, and digital engagement strategies. Experienced in developing and executing social media strategies with a focus on content planning, messaging, and brand alignment. Familiar with AI-enabled tools and graphic design platforms to support content creation and enhance digital storytelling. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with senior leaders and influence across all levels of the organization. Approachable and empathetic communicator, skilled at building trust and fostering inclusivity across members, supply chain partners, and employees. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, with a focus on reinforcing organizational culture through communications and events. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with senior leaders and influence across all levels of the organization. Approachable and empathetic communicator, skilled at building trust and fostering inclusivity across members, supply chain partners, and employees. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, with a focus on reinforcing organizational culture through communications and events
Competencies • Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm while maintaining humble professionalism • Customer Focus: Building strong franchisee experience through customer and vendor relationships that delivers franchisee-centric solutions • Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments, acts with a clear sense of ownership, takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions and failures • Tech Savvy: Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications • Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives while gaining trust and support of others • Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers a clear message in a variety of communication settings, attentively listens to others and adjusts their own style • Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward • Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals • Resourceful: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently • Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways
Qualifications and Experience • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field • 7+ years of professional experience in corporate communications, employee/customer engagement, or related area. • Proven ability to lead and develop teams, with experience managing direct reports • Demonstrated success building strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including executives and members. • Approachable, empathetic, and skilled at understanding and amplifying the audience's voice. • Proven expertise in writing, editing and presenting to various audiences. • Familiarity with digital communications platforms and content management systems.
Leadership Responsibility
No
Travel
This job does not require international travel. Domestic travel may be required, including local trips within driving distance and occasional overnight stays.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly sitting for long periods of time. Compliant with the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
This is a full-time position. Standard office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET. This position may require additional work hours outside these work hours, including weekends to complete job requirements.
The Sr. Manager, Communications and Engagement, will partner in leading IPC's external and internal communications strategies, ensuring consistent, proactive and engaging messaging across multiple audiences. This role will oversee communications to IPC members (nearly 7,000 U.S. and Canada Subway® restaurant owners), suppliers, distributors and internal employees, while also driving culture-shaping activities that foster collaboration, transparency and trust. Additionally, this role will manage communications for IPC's two subsidiaries - Independent Purchasing Incorporated (IPI) and Independent Purchasing Incorporated Mexico (IPIM). This position will work with various departments within IPC - including but not limited to Strategic Sourcing, Distribution, and Member Support - to create content as needed for executive and board business updates, video scripts, and online communications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Communications Leadership Lead the development and execution of proactive, high-impact communication strategies across member, supplier, distributor, and employee audiences to enhance IPC's reputation and drive engagement. Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to craft and deliver executive-level messaging, including board communications, business updates, and video scripts. Direct communications for major initiatives such as membership initiatives, BOD elections, Dividends, food cost models, and digital platform enhancements, ensuring clarity, alignment, and timeliness. Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends; recommend and implement innovative tools, channels, and approaches to continuously improve communication effectiveness. Ensure strategic alignment and consistency across internal and external messaging by collaborating with the Subway® Communications team and other key stakeholders. Internal Communications & Culture
Lead internal communications and culture initiatives-including intranet content, newsletters, all-hands meetings, and engagement events-to foster transparency, inclusion, and connection across IPC. Collaborate with the Head of Communications, Culture, and Member Experience to ensure messaging aligns with organizational values and enhances employee experience. Draft and manage systemwide communications touchpoints, such as Quarterly Highlights and Quarterly Supply Chain Updates. Represent IPC Communications at key Subway® events-including MUO/Regional meetings, annual conventions, and the IPC Annual Meeting-to support planning and messaging consistency. Writing, Editing & Messaging
Craft clear, compelling communications that translate complex information into engaging content for diverse audiences, including executive and board-level stakeholders. Provide editorial support, including writing, editing, and proofreading for leadership communications, ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment with IPC's voice. Develop creative digital communications using tools such as MailChimp, MailBuild, or BeePro to visually enhance storytelling and engagement. Measurement & Process Optimization
Monitor communication effectiveness through analytics and stakeholder feedback; recommend and implement improvements to maximize impact. Maintain and optimize communications processes and systems-including approvals, trackers, and content workflows-to ensure efficiency and alignment across projects. Team Leadership & Collaboration
Oversee and mentor two direct reports, providing strategic guidance, coaching, and accountability to ensure high-quality deliverables. Serve as a key connector across business teams, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution to drive alignment and impact. Compliance & Governance Communications
Collaborate with Legal to manage IPC Board election communications and ensure regulatory requirements, compliance with timelines, materials and biographical updates. Maintain processes for communications content approval, including editing and proofreading for leadership and ensuring consistency across channels. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences, including members, suppliers, distributors, employees, Board, and ELT. Skilled in creating high-quality content across multiple formats and channels-presentations, videos, internal announcements, web content, and social media. Strong presentation and facilitation capabilities for senior-level meetings and corporate events. Advanced knowledge of corporate communications best practices, including brand reputation, trust-building, and leadership campaigns. Proficient in content management systems, intranet platforms, email campaign tools, and digital engagement strategies. Experienced in developing and executing social media strategies with a focus on content planning, messaging, and brand alignment. Familiar with AI-enabled tools and graphic design platforms to support content creation and enhance digital storytelling. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with senior leaders and influence across all levels of the organization. Approachable and empathetic communicator, skilled at building trust and fostering inclusivity across members, supply chain partners, and employees. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, with a focus on reinforcing organizational culture through communications and events. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with senior leaders and influence across all levels of the organization. Approachable and empathetic communicator, skilled at building trust and fostering inclusivity across members, supply chain partners, and employees. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills, with a focus on reinforcing organizational culture through communications and events
Competencies • Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm while maintaining humble professionalism • Customer Focus: Building strong franchisee experience through customer and vendor relationships that delivers franchisee-centric solutions • Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments, acts with a clear sense of ownership, takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions and failures • Tech Savvy: Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications • Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives while gaining trust and support of others • Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers a clear message in a variety of communication settings, attentively listens to others and adjusts their own style • Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward • Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals • Resourceful: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently • Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways
Qualifications and Experience • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field • 7+ years of professional experience in corporate communications, employee/customer engagement, or related area. • Proven ability to lead and develop teams, with experience managing direct reports • Demonstrated success building strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including executives and members. • Approachable, empathetic, and skilled at understanding and amplifying the audience's voice. • Proven expertise in writing, editing and presenting to various audiences. • Familiarity with digital communications platforms and content management systems.
Leadership Responsibility
No
Travel
This job does not require international travel. Domestic travel may be required, including local trips within driving distance and occasional overnight stays.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly sitting for long periods of time. Compliant with the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
This is a full-time position. Standard office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET. This position may require additional work hours outside these work hours, including weekends to complete job requirements.