Director, Food & Beverage

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world. From decoding audiences to designing bold strategies, Orchestra integrates people, platforms, and stories that stick to help clients build lasting influence. The company offers programs that span from the highest level strategic business counsel through to tactical execution. Orchestra brings together 700+ people with experience across consumer and lifestyle, technology, nonprofit and philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and more. Made up of leading firms BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals, and Versus Media Group, a strategy-first political media team. Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.

People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Orchestra is looking for a Director who knows the food & beverage world and has strong instincts for what makes people want to taste, try, visit and talk about something. You’ll lead integrated communications strategies for food, beverage and lifestyle brands, turning what’s happening across media and culture into stories, experiences and campaigns that get noticed. You’ll counsel senior clients, develop creative ideas and guide teams across earned media, influencer marketing, partnerships and brand experiences. We’re looking for someone who genuinely knows this space, from the media shaping the conversation to the trends, people and places everyone will be talking about next.

Note: This role is based in our NYC office, working two-three days a week in the office on a hybrid schedule.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a Director, you will...

• Set communications strategy across food & beverage and lifestyle accounts, from big-picture planning through execution
• Serve as a senior client partner, bringing proactive counsel, creative ideas and solutions to the table
• Lead earned media strategy and help teams turn client goals, trends and cultural moments into stories people want to cover
• Develop integrated campaign ideas that can come to life across PR, influencer marketing, partnerships, events and experiences
• Build and maintain strong relationships with food, beverage and lifestyle media and other influential voices in the space
• Help bring launches, tastings, dinners, partnerships, activations, festivals and other brand experiences to life
• Stay close to what’s happening across food, hospitality, media and culture and turn those insights into opportunities for clients
• Lead major client presentations, strategic planning and high-stakes moments with confidence
• Lead and develop account teams while maintaining a high bar for strategy, creativity and execution
• Identify opportunities to deepen client relationships and grow the work
• Understand how F&B fits into the broader hotel or destination experience, developing strategies that support individual venues and overall property/placemaking goals
• Bring a broad understanding of the F&B landscape, from CPG and QSR brands to Michelin-starred restaurants, with spirits and cocktail industry experience a plus
• Be an active presence in the hospitality scene, building relationships with chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders and tastemakers through regular engagement in the field

Essential skills:

• 7-9+ years of PR, strategic communications or integrated marketing experience; agency experience strongly preferred
• Deep experience working with food & beverage, culinary, hospitality and/or lifestyle brands
• Strong media relations expertise and established relationships with relevant reporters and editors
• Experience developing integrated campaigns that extend beyond traditional earned media
• Understanding of influencer marketing and how it can complement PR, events, partnerships and brand experiences
• Strong creative instincts and the ability to turn cultural and category trends into relevant ideas for clients
• Excellent client counsel, writing and presentation skills
• Experience leading and developing teams across multiple accounts or workstreams

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Salary range: $110,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience

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