Vice President of Marketing & Innovation

Description

 A&W Restaurants, Inc., America’s first restaurant franchise, is seeking a VP of Marketing & Innovation to join our team! 

 We are looking for a strategic and results-driven leader who can amplify our brand’s legacy while driving growth and innovation. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player with a strong sales focus, exceptional leadership skills, and a hands-on approach to achieve goals. This role requires someone who can represent our 100 year-old brand with passion and creativity.  This position would be located at our Lexington, KY headquarters. 

Summary

This position is responsible for developing marketing, advertising, and product development strategies to serve our initiatives of growing same-store sales, opening profitable new restaurants, and leading our One-Team philosophy through intentional inclusion. The VP of Marketing and Innovation has comprehensive responsibility for new product development, enhancement, and innovation. This person should expect to successfully collaborate and serve as a leader within the Full Marketing Committee, and maintain positive and professional working relationships with the National A&W Franchisee Association (NAWFA) Board. The VP is ultimately accountable for overseeing all aspects of marketing, advertising, and innovation functions for the brand. The Vice President of Marketing & Innovation reports to the President. 

 Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

1. Develop top-line marketing strategies to grow brand awareness, same-store sales, and new unit development. This includes developing short and long-term brand strategies, national sales events, local store marketing, merchandising, menu boards, media, and public relations strategies.
2. Leverage data-driven insights to guide strategic recommendations.
3. Closely monitor market trends, customer feedback, and competitors to identify opportunities for product, packaging and menu innovation and improvement. 
4. Consistently look for and deliver upon innovation strategies surrounding menu mix, new product offerings, enhancement of current products, packaging, etc. 
5. Effectively develop the Marketing department to deliver strategic support and resources to all cross-functional teams for their marketing-related needs.  
6. Serve as a key member of the Executive Committee, providing essential insight into decisions that affect the organization. 
7. Develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with the NAWFA Board, providing influential guidance and recommendations.  
8. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and to effectively accomplish strategic initiatives. 
9. Manage key relationships with key marketing vendor partners, including agencies, Keurig Dr. Pepper and Pepsi.  

Competencies

1. Highly developed analytical and strategic leadership skills.
2. Outstanding ability to prioritize tasks, balancing time between immediate responsibilities and strategic long-term planning.  
3. Excellent written and verbal presentation abilities.
4. Effective interpersonal skills: able to build and maintain key relationships both inside and outside the organization through excellent communication, collaboration, and reliability. 
5. Able to navigate and lead teams in a fast-paced work environment, adapt quickly to changes, and remain flexible in approach.
6. Navigates change, both internal and external, with grace, minimizes resistance and fosters buy-in.
7. Collaborative and inclusive mindset: Able to effectively communicate and work with others through differences.  
8. Effectively leads, develops, and inspires individuals and teams to achieve their highest potential. 

Supervisory Responsibility 

The VP of Marketing & Innovation has direct supervisory responsibilities and will coach and mentor all Marketing Team Members. They may also serve as a coach and mentor for other Team Members within the RSC.

Requirements

Physical Demands

This role is largely desk and computer-focused. Additionally, all corporate employees will be asked to work in the company-owned restaurants at least two times a year for shifts lasting 4-9 hours. Standing, cleaning and fast-paced mobility is expected during work in the restaurants.

Travel

Up to 30% travel is expected for this position. Travel will be related to professional development, industry-specific business trips, seminars, conferences, etc.  

Required Education and Experience

1. 10 years of progressive marketing experience, including brand management, field marketing, consumer insights, digital marketing, merchandising, product development, media, and/or related fields.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration or related field. Equivalent professional experience may substitute for the formal degree requirement. 
3. Significant budget management experience.
4. Multiple years of department leadership experience 
5. Marketing experience specific to restaurant and food service 
6. MS Office suite proficient

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Master’s Degree 
2. 10 years in the Restaurant Industry, specifically Quick Service Restaurants

Equal Opportunity Employment

It is the policy of A&W Restaurants, Inc. to offer equal employment opportunity in all aspects of the employer/Team Member relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, genetic information, tobacco smoking status, or any other status protected by law. A&W Restaurants, Inc. acts in compliance with the requirements and intent of applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations to protect the right to equal opportunity employment.