Hybrid Manager, Issues Management, Crisis Response

at Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

• Job title: Manager, Issues Management, Crisis Response
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $125,200 - $147,200 per year
• Degree requirement: High School Diploma
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Louisville, United States

About the role

• Manager in Issues Management & Crisis Response at Yum! Brands, protecting reputation through strategic crisis communication and collaboration with teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution and ongoing evolution of Yum!’s global issues management and crisis response capabilities.
• Provide strategic counsel, message development, and rapid response support during high-impact issues and crises.
• Help define, build, and operationalize IMCR escalation protocols, global playbooks, and response frameworks.
• Proactively identify and plan for emerging issues through horizon scanning, media monitoring, and stakeholder sentiment analysis.
• Design and deliver crisis preparedness training and simulation exercises for senior leaders and global teams.
• Build and maintain a centralized knowledge base of response templates, case studies, and best practices, including the use of monitoring and early-warning tools.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to brand teams, balancing tailored support with consistent enterprise standards.
• Coach and manage two direct reports and act as a delegate for the Director, IMCR CoE as needed.

Requirements

• 6–10+ years of relevant experience in crisis communications, issues management, media relations, or corporate reputation roles, with demonstrated success navigating high-risk or high-visibility situations.
• Proven experience developing and executing communications strategies in response to business disruption, social controversy, operational challenges, or reputational risk.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and advisory skills, with the ability to guide senior leaders through high-pressure and ambiguous scenarios.
• Experience managing or supporting cross-functional initiatives within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Exceptional writing and messaging skills, particularly in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.
• High level of discretion, sound judgment, and comfort operating with urgency and sensitivity.
• Background in public affairs, corporate communications, media relations, or agency-side crisis management. (Preferred)
• Familiarity with risk monitoring tools, social listening platforms, and stakeholder mapping techniques. (Preferred)
• Experience working in global or multinational environments, with sensitivity to regional and cultural considerations. (Preferred)

Benefits

• Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan).
• Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan.
• Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation.
• Paid sick leave.
• 10 paid holidays.
• A floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year.