Local Restaurant Marketing Manager (Greater Chicago)
About The Position
The Local Restaurant Marketing (LRM) Manager is an ambassador of Nando’s brand, culture, and values—bringing them to life in our restaurants and local communities. This role drives local marketing and promotional activities, brand visibility, supports events, and manages multiple touchpoints, from creative development and asset production to digital campaigns. It starts with analyzing restaurant performance against market opportunities and partnering with and training Patraos (General Managers) and Area Directors to secure buy-in and own executions of marketing plans. This role is dedicated to supporting the DMV region, blending strategic planning with hands-on execution. The Local Restaurant Marketing Manager ensures that national campaigns are tailored for local relevance while consistently representing Nando’s brand identity across the Greater Chicago market. As all Nandocas, this role will be expected to wear many hats, seek out opportunities to make our company better, and, in general, be a great team player! The essential functions of this position are mapped out below:
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3+ years’ experience in marketing within the restaurant or similar industry.
- Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work well with others and across multiple levels.
- Ability to readily adjust to changing work environments.
- Ability to work independently, multi-task, and organize work to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and internet tools.
- Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required.
- Ability to commute between multiple restaurant locations for up to 50% of the time.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with digital marketing and social media platforms is an asset.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coordinate, and actively participate in all marketing initiatives, with a strong focus on local store marketing.
- Localize national campaigns and amplify them within the community.
- Train Patraos and Nandocas on implementing LRM initiatives effectively.
- Ensure all communications align with Nando’s brand identity and marketing objectives.
- Budget management and stewardship.
- Promote marketing programs internally to build engagement and buy-in across teams.
- Collaborate with the Training Department to develop regional training plans that bring LRM strategies to the restaurant level.
- Partner with external agencies and community organizations to enhance brand awareness.
- Introduce creative collaborations for Patraos to strengthen the “My Nando’s” community culture.
- Own local marketing reporting, including post-mortem analysis and campaign summaries.
- Manage ordering of materials and collateral for LRM campaigns.
- Maintain a consistent brand image across all advertising and marketing activities.
- Ensure all external messaging reflects Nando’s tone of voice and brand standards.
- Work cross-functionally to prepare documents, manuals, and other marketing materials.
- Represent Nando’s in professional societies and food industry marketing activities.
- Build and maintain relationships with influencers and strategic partners.
- Coordinate influencer programs and traditional media activations, including catering, gifting, and reporting.
- Serve as a liaison for local schools and PTAs for community partnerships.
- Monitor competitor products, sales, and marketing activities to inform strategy.
- Provide customer service support as needed, including donation requests, voucher distribution, and reward allocation.
- Measure and analyze the effectiveness of pilot programs and local marketing initiatives, identifying trends and actionable insights to evaluate ROI and optimize future campaigns.
- Prepare and present performance reports and key learnings to leadership and share best practices across the DMV region.
- Develop dashboards and reporting tools to track campaign performance, community engagement, and drive measurable sales growth.
- Assist with special projects and team initiatives as required.
Benefits
- Earn more as you grow the brand—our bonus incentive plan rewards marketing success and measurable sales growth.
- 401k and matching
- Comprehensive Health Care Plan Options
- Wellness Reimbursement
- Technology Reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
