Reports To: Director of Field Public RelationsFirehouse Subs Headquarters, supporting more than 1,200 Firehouse Subs restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, is seeking a Public Relations Manager to join our team. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Firehouse Subs® is one of the nation’s leading fast casual restaurant chains with a commitment to and passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety. The incumbent in the position has the opportunity to join an exciting, fast-paced, and high energy environment, working in the hub of the public relations network for our organization.**This is a remote position which requires travel to assigned territories as needed. The ideal candidate will be based in either Las Vegas, NV or Denver, CO.
The Manager of Public Relations facilitates local public relations efforts for the assigned regions of the Firehouse Subs system, and serves day-to-day as the official public relations manager to franchisees within those territories. Reporting to the Director of Field Public Relations, the Manager of Public Relations has a mission to execute the brand’s annual local public relations strategies and integrated campaigns; and to produce local public relations results that drive sales and franchisee satisfaction. This position serves as an integral part of the Firehouse Subs field team, working day-to-day with the Franchise Business Consultant and Field Marketing Manager to achieve the brand’s key performance indicators.
Essential Functions:
Serves as the primary public relations contact for franchisees in assigned territories
Implements the brand’s annual public relations strategy in assigned regions to drive traffic and awareness to meet sales goals and franchisee satisfaction
Provide public relations coaching, mentoring, and continued training for each franchisee in assigned territories
Collaborates with the Director of Field Public Relations to develop annual local public relations plans that center around traditional earned media as a lead component, and is ultimately responsible for the execution of those plans
Comprehensive New Restaurant Opening public relations to include creation, implementation and execution of new restaurant opening press materials within assigned territory
Manages media relations and secures publicity in assigned territories
Identify local public relations initiatives to increase brand awareness through traditional earned media channels
Serve as the media spokesperson for assigned territories
Coordinate approvals of any local public relations efforts
Assemble publicity reports for internal stakeholders of assigned territory
Provide designated Franchise Business Consultants and franchisees with local restaurant public relations consultation
Act as liaison between Director of Field Public Relations and the field team/franchisees to ensure ideas, suggestions and feedback are received, considered and responded to appropriately
Create and execute educational presentations at territory meetings
Provide local public relations support for Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation events in assigned territory, as needed
Travel to territory to build relationships with local teams, as needed
Build trust and collaboration among people, teams and departments
Provides crisis communications support to the Vice President of Public Affairs in assigned territory, as needed
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or a related field
Minimum of three years public relations, corporate communications or journalism work experience
Public relations agency background in account service
Able to effectively multi-task and manage competing priorities
Able to communicate in both written and verbal form with conviction and credibility, adapting message to suit level of audience
Flexibility, a positive attitude, enthusiasm and excellent problem solving skills required
Attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Able to work independently and with teams
Able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Outgoing, creative personality
Proficient in AP style
Strong public speaking skills; must be able to present to large groups
Preferred education and experience:
Restaurant industry experience is a plus
Franchising experience is a plus
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) preferred
Master's degree in communications, public relations, or a related field helpful
Physical demands: The physical demands of the job include bending, sitting, lifting and driving.This position is remote but may include up to 50% travel to respective regional and corporate events, depending on business needs. Position type and expected hours of work: Full time position, based in regional location. Variable schedule depending on business activity. Will require some weekend travel. Typical work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time, on call nights and weekends (as needed).