The posting
About Us
At CJ Foodville USA, Tous les Jours, were more than just a place to grab a pastry and coffeewere a neighborhood hub where warmth, quality, and connection come together, K-bakery and café style, offering breads, pastries, cakes and beverages. As a growing franchise network with a commitment to brand consistency and exceptional guest experiences, we are looking for a seasoned Senior Communications Manager to shape and execute communication strategies that align our teams, franchisees, and elevate our brand across US and Canada markets.
Position Overview
The Senior Communications Manager will play a key strategic and operational role in internal and external communications that engage employees, support franchisees, and enhance the brands reputation. As part of the HQ team, this leader will help shape messaging around key business priorities, support executive communications, and manage storytelling that reflects TLJ commitment to growth, community, and operational excellence.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role will oversee brand messaging, franchisee communications, aligning corporate and franchisee team outcomes as messaging to system, create a weekly system message to the system with operational and departmental announcements, and PR activities to support both day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
This role requires a seasoned communicator with strong storytelling ability, sound judgment, and deep experience in media relations, internal messaging, and cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
- Develop and execute integrated communications strategies in support of TLJ business goals, marketing campaigns, and operational initiatives.
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams including operations, HR, marketing, legal, and government relations to align messaging and amplify impact.
Executive & Internal Communications
- Support CEO and COO (C-Suite, as needed) with executive messaging, talking points, presentations, video scripts, and internal announcements.
- Craft engaging internal content for corporate employees and bakery and cafe teams that drives culture, clarity, and action.
- Lead communications for major internal initiatives including transformation efforts, policy changes, or recognition campaigns.
- Develop and execute internal communications strategies to ensure alignment across corporate, franchise, and café teams.
- Collaborate with the COO and senior leadership to craft clear, engaging updates, memos, and announcements.
- Support change management initiatives by developing communication plans for operational changes, technology rollouts, and process updates.
- Maintain content for internal platforms (intranet, newsletters, team updates, etc.).
Franchisee & Field Communications
- Create and manage consistent communications to franchise partners, ensuring clarity on policies, brand standards and policy changes, LTOs, and training initiatives.
- Serve as a communication bridge between HQ and franchise owners, gathering feedback and addressing concerns.
- Partner with the operations and marketing teams to disseminate prepared toolkits, playbooks, and FAQs for franchise use.
- Deliver clear, consistent, and actionable messaging to TLJ franchisees and field staff through digital platforms, toolkits, and virtual meetings.
- Work closely with the HQ Ops/Marketing/Supply Chain teams to align national messaging with local execution.
External Communications & Media/Public Relations
- Work with marketing leadership on external brand storytelling and public relations strategies.
- Draft press releases, executive communications, media statements, and responses to public inquiries or issues.
- Help manage crisis communication plans and responses in coordination with the COO and legal teams.
- Lead proactive and reactive media relations efforts around HQ campaigns, bakery & cafe innovations, community partnerships, and key announcements.
- Prepare press materials, statements, and briefings for media engagements, supporting national and regional PR efforts.
- Partner with external agencies and internal stakeholders to manage issues and crisis response as needed.
Executive Support
- Support the CEO and COO in preparing presentations, speeches, and briefing documents for internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure that executive messaging aligns with brand voice and values.
- Creating a monthly communication plan for CEO and COO for social media presence.
Other Responsibilities
- Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communications initiatives.
- Manage relationships with communications vendors, freelance writers, and PR agencies when needed.
- Stay ahead of trends in franchise communications, food & beverage, and brand storytelling.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
- 7+ years of communications experience, ideally within a multi-unit, franchise company, PR agency, foodservice environment, or consumer facing brand.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with proven ability to simplify complex information and tailor messages for various audiences.
- Deep understanding of media relations, storytelling, and brand voice.
- Experience supporting executive-level communications and leading strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
- Franchise, retail, or QSR experience preferred but not required.
- Proven experience managing communications in fast-paced, operationally complex organizations.
- Strong interpersonal and project management skills; able to collaborate cross-functionally and influence without authority.
- Understanding of internal communication platforms and digital tools.
- Experience navigating crisis communications is a strong plus.
What We Offer
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment with a mission-driven brand.
- Opportunities for growth in a rapidly expanding franchise network.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- A chance to help shape the voice of an emerging and beloved community brand.
