Associate Manager, Brand & Group Engagement

Job Description

Bluegrass Distillers is seeking a dynamic and driven Associate Manager of Brand, Group & Marketing Engagement to support the growth and visibility of our brand through strategic marketing, group sales, and exceptional visitor experiences. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and wants to make a measurable impact across departments.

You’ll play a key role in driving brand engagement, supporting sales and philanthropy efforts, growing event and tour revenue, and working cross-functionally to ensure a consistent and exceptional customer experience.

Core Responsibilities

Sales & Relationship Development – 15-20%

• Schedule and conduct retail tastings, ensuring ambassador preparation and effective feedback collection.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of the 5-Gallon Barrel Program.
• Cultivate local business relationships to coordinate SPINS, dinners, and collaborations.
• Partner with distribution to pursue leads, assess client needs, recommend products, and ensure timely deliveries.
• Work with our Philanthropy Barrel Program partners 
• Coordinated all donation requests.

Marketing & Brand Engagement – 35%

• Direct social media strategy and execution across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok, including paid ad management.
• Maintain and update the website, including blog posts, SEO, event listings, and retail directories.
• Coordinate influencer and media relationships with support from the Marketing Director.
• Deliver timely marketing materials to partners and collaborators.
• Track and report on digital engagement metrics including social performance, web traffic, and newsletter engagement.
• Lead content creation across blogs, newsletters, digital ads, and physical assets.
• Support the marketing team with promotional planning and event support.

Event Sales & Management – 15%

• Drive event revenue by identifying opportunities and creating compelling proposals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event clients, managing the full event lifecycle.
• Draft and negotiate contracts, coordinate logistics, timelines, and budgets.
• Collaborate with operations, hospitality, and facilities teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Oversee Bluegrass-hosted events including event programming community, seasonal, and product release initiatives.

Visitor Experience & Tours – 25%

• Build relationships with tour booking partners and maintain a proactive reservation calendar. 
• Act as a concierge for group experiences, tailoring visits to exceed expectations.
• Align with internal teams to ensure consistent, high-quality visitor experiences.
• Innovate and enhance tour offerings with exclusive add-ons and premium tastings.
• Serve as a liaison for Elkwood Farm tour guests, handling requests in coordination with the Hospitality Manager.

Cross-Departmental Projects – 5-10%

• Contribute to special projects and support internal initiatives as needed.
• Embrace a flexible, collaborative mindset in the fast-paced environment of a growing brand.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Business, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in a marketing, event coordination, hospitality, or sales-focused role—ideally within the spirits, food & beverage, or tourism industries.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, content creation, paid advertising, and digital marketing tools(e.g., Meta Ads, Canva, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Squarespace or similar CMS).
• Experience coordinating events, tours, or group experiences, with a proven ability to manage logistics, timelines, and budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail and brand voice.
• A confident and professional customer-facing demeanor, with experience providing high-touch service and managing client relationships.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with shifting priorities.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and special tastings.
• Highly organized, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset.

Company Description

Bluegrass Distillers is based in Midway, Kentucky. Founded in 2012, the brand is known for its award-winning small-batch and single-barrel offerings, including unique wheated bourbons made with non-GMO, heirloom blue corn. Committed to a ground-to-glass approach, Bluegrass Distillers sources local ingredients, including grains grown on its 64-acre Elkwood Farm in Midway. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, the distillery has expanded both domestically and internationally, introducing its premium spirits to new markets.