Director of Community Relations

Job Description

The Director of Community Relations is responsible for setting the community-focused strategy and the execution of Aramark's community outreach including partnerships and volunteer opportunities.

Aramark's Director of Community Relations position is part of the Corporate Affairs team, reporting to the Vice President of Internal Communications and Community Relations. This position will lead strategy and execution for Aramark's community relations programs, volunteer projects, community events, various internal and external communications, database management and impact data collection and analysis.

The position is primarily focused on enterprise community impact and the company's signature volunteer program, Aramark Building Community (ABC). Through ABC Aramark engages employees in transformational volunteer activities aligned with community-based nonprofits by focusing resources locally to increase hospitality workforce readiness, improve food access, and create more sustainable environments and cleaner community spaces.

• Primary responsibilities include:
• Drive strategy for Aramark's community partnerships and volunteer engagement.
• Lead the Community Relations team and manage the Community Relations Specialist
• Develop and foster long-term relationships and partnerships with local and national nonprofits and community-based organizations
• Support internal and external storytelling through various communication channels and in partnership with the Corporate Communications team
• Lead year-round volunteer engagement through Aramark Building Community, including the company's Global Day of Service, Aramark Building Community Day (ABC Day)
• Enable charitable activity for all lines of business through the management of the Charitable Contributions Program, corresponding policy, and compliance measures
• Partner with VP of Internal Communications to recommend and support strategic community partnerships through grantmaking and management of Aramark's Donor Advised Fund
• Manage departmental budget, expense approvals, and forecast insights
• Partner with internal functional team leads including legal, sustainability, global inclusion and responsible sourcing to ensure program success
• Responsible for gathering and providing community involvement data and analysis for the annual progress report, leveraging multiple functions and enterprise-wide impact
• Recognize volunteer leaders through enterprise initiatives and internal and external communications
• Work with local teams across the company to track year-round community involvement work and update and maintain proposal documents to support client retention and new business
• Provide research and benchmarking support for various initiatives which could include global volunteer programs, disaster relief, employee engagement, community and civic engagement and others

• Position will report directly to the VP Internal Communications and Community Relations
• Candidates must have seven to ten years of experience working in a corporate, agency or non-profit environment
• Experience and/or career interest in community relations, corporate social responsibility, managing a Donor Advised Fund, or nonprofit work
• Exceptionally strong organizational, time management, and leadership skills are required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must demonstrate self-motivation and the ability to work well independently
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with senior Aramark leaders and external community organizations
• Must be collaborative and service-oriented
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to respond effectively to changing demands
• Must have strong project management and strategic planning skills
• Experience with and knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications, SmartSheet, and social media platforms
• Previous nonprofit, grant writing, or event planning experience preferred
• Must be comfortable in a dynamic environment and able to manage multiple priorities, events and relationships simultaneously
• Flexibility for location or event-based hours
• Travel time 10%

• Communications, Public Relations, marketing or related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) experience preferred
• Must have experience working with nonprofit organizations, grant writing, employee engagement, and volunteer project management
• Must have event planning experience
• Excellent writing skills and experience with various social media platforms
• Experience and/or career interest in CSR, ESG, nonprofit work, philanthropy, foundation, donor advised funds, and events management
• Strong organizational, time management, and leadership skills are required