SENIOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF ACTIVATION & PR (Bay Area)

Bon Appetit Management Company is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and creatively driven Senior Regional Director of Activation and PR to oversee the strategic activation of our brand across key regions and to lead innovative public relations and marketing initiatives for both internal and external audiences.

This leadership role bridges two vital functions: brand activation and public relations. You will be responsible for crafting immersive customer experiences, inspiring operational excellence, increasing participation, and promoting our public restaurants and specialty venues to drive revenue and brand visibility. You will collaborate closely with field teams, regional leadership, and the corporate communications team to ensure our story, mission, and values are consistently and impactfully conveyed.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a cross-functional bridge between operations, design, marketing, and communications.
• Support and train regional teams in marketing, branding, and communications best practices.
• Guide development and rollout of marketing toolkits and playbooks for use across units.
• Contribute to the evolution of our systems, resources, and processes with a continuous improvement mindset.

Brand Activation & Customer Experience

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of regional activation initiatives aligned with the Bon Appetit brand vision.
• Collaborate with Image + Style, Communications, and field teams to craft experiences that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Activate our brand internally through people programs and externally through guest-facing experiences.
• Support field adoption of corporate resources (e.g., BAMCO help desk) for seamless activation efforts.
• Play a key role in new account openings and special event activations, ensuring brand cohesion and excellence.

• Oversee a small, nimble team of PR and marketing managers, providing them with strategic support and guidance as they:
• Develop and execute marketing and PR strategies for public restaurants and specialty venues, collaborating with the communications team and on-site leaders.
• Pitch media on timely stories, chef features, menu innovations, and events, working closely with the Vice President of Communications
• Oversee social media audits, training, and strategy development for account-level marketing teams in collaboration.
• Build on best practices developed for influencer marketing, including budgeting for and pitching influencers.
• Support photography, branding, and content development for websites, campaigns, and printed materials.
• Serve as secondary liaison for media visits and public-facing events.
• Monitor and respond to review platforms (Yelp, Google, OpenTable) and assist with digital reputation management.
• Advise on marketing and advertising budgets for restaurants and develop best practices.
• Develop restaurant brand concepts in collaboration with clients and regional leadership.

• Bachelor's degree required; marketing, communications, design, or hospitality focus preferred.
• 5+ years in a senior-level marketing, PR, or brand activation role, preferably within foodservice or hospitality.
• Proven success in launching restaurant or food-service experiences and managing PR campaigns.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; adept at tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Suite (preferred).
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills; thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for sustainable food systems, hospitality, and guest-centered service.

Regular travel to regional sites including Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York.
Occasional travel to Redwood City HQ and other national locations.

You're a strategic thinker, a hands-on doer, and a collaborative leader. You thrive at the intersection of branding, storytelling, and operations. You have a deep appreciation for good food, sustainable practices, and meaningful customer experiences - and you know how to make those stories come alive in the field and in the media.