Director of Public Relations

Director of Public Relations

We are seeking a highly experienced Director of Public Relations with a strong background in restaurants, preferably fine dining and/or luxury hotels, to join our dynamic PR team. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of manager- or executive-level experience in public relations and communications, with demonstrated expertise in building and managing high-performing teams. In this role, you will be responsible for managing key accounts, developing and implementing strategic PR campaigns, and cultivating strong relationships with our Client-Partners, media, and influencers within the fine dining and luxury hotel sector. We are a small team, and the ideal candidate for this role is willing to take on various tasks as needed, playing a pivotal role in a small but rapidly evolving team with an eye on future growth.

Suited Hospitality is a rarity, a hospitality consulting agency that is all-encompassing. Our agency was founded by four partners, each with their own specialized expertise and decades of experience working hand-in-hand with some of the most respected restaurants, hotels, and food & beverage products in the world. Suited offers comprehensive services in public relations, social media, business operations, and culinary consulting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain a roster of key accounts within the fine dining, hospitality, and food and beverage industry, ensuring exceptional service and client satisfaction.
• Develop and execute creative, results-driven public relations campaigns that meet objectives and deliver high-impact media coverage.
• Cultivate relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and influencers within the fine dining, hospitality, lifestyle and food and beverage sector to secure strategic placements and coverage.
• Monitor and analyze campaign performance and media coverage, providing Client-Partners with comprehensive reports and recommendations for future campaigns.
• Collaborate with internal and external team members, content creators, digital marketers, event planners, and tourism boards to develop integrated campaigns that maximize client exposure and engagement.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging platforms to ensure our Client-Partners are positioned as leaders in the industry.
• Attend and represent our Client-Partners at industry events and networking opportunities as needed.

Requirements

• Based in the Bay Area, CA with the willingness to travel to clients as needed.
• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of management- or executive-level experience in public relations or communications, with a focus on fine dining and hospitality preferred.
• Experience in building and managing teams.
• Proven track record of managing successful public relations campaigns and delivering high-impact media coverage for clients.
• Strong understanding of the fine dining, hospitality, and food and beverage industry, including key media outlets, journalists, and influencers. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex ideas and information to diverse audiences with a warm and professional tone.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, media, influencers, and industry partners.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Desire to learn and research as needed (trends, unfamiliar topics, etc.)
• Proficiency in public relations and media monitoring tools such as MuckRack, as well as Google Workspace, Dropbox, Slack, and Asana.
• Ability and willingness to learn and employ a variety of software/applications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize based on client and company needs.
• Extremely organized style and the ability to work efficiently in a variety of settings. 
• Nice to have: background working in restaurants and/or hotels in any capacity (service team, admin, culinary, beverage team, etc) 

Technology and Equipment Requirements

• Smartphone and computer
• High-speed, reliable internet connection 
• Home or shared workspace setup conducive to working efficiently and with limited interruptions/distractions

Compensation and Benefits

• $110k+ annually, depending on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance offered for full time employees, subject to a probationary period
• Profession growth stipend
• Sick time on accrual, unlimited vacation
• Professional development opportunities

The Director of  Public Relations role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to make a significant impact in the fine dining and hospitality industries. The successful candidate will have the chance to showcase their expertise, drive results for clients, and contribute to our company's continued growth and success.

A short project will be assigned during the interview process to assess the candidate’s skills and proficiency with public relations principles and systems competence.