Manager, Brand Communications

Company Profile:

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values:

Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.

Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.

Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.

Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.

Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

Manager, Brand Communications

As Manager of Brand Communications, you will play a key role creating visibility, authority and love for the CAVA brand. This role is responsible for delivering the company’s national public relations strategies and programs, manages media relations, and leads social impact communications. Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Communications, you will serve as a consultant and partner for the Marketing, social media, Sustainability, and senior leadership teams, and contribute to the company’s internal and financial communications functions.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader, a skilled project manager, and creative storyteller who excels at spotting trends, using data to create news, and getting ahead of the narrative. Success in this role will be demonstrated by the effective strategies and initiatives that support CAVA’s brand, delivering compelling messages that connect with our stakeholders, and collaborating with and meeting the needs of internal and external partners.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and program management:

• Lead comprehensive public communications strategies aligned with the restaurant's marketing and business goals.
• Create and manage PR campaigns, activations and outreach, from conception to implementation
• Monitor emerging issues and trends, and identify “newsjacking” moments
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and partners – including Social Media, Operations, Creative, and Marketing to bring PR campaigns and activations to life.
• In partnership CAVA’s PR agency, identify target media across multiple channels, build relationships and secure coverage.
• Manage campaign calendar, pitch cadence and budget
• Lead the work of the PR agency team
• Track and analyze PR metrics

Media Relations:

• Act as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and interview requests.
• Evaluate opportunities to media, speaking and award opportunities and make recommendations
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers.
• Support the team in developing messages, scoping likely questions and answers, and preparing spokespeople

Social impact communications:

• Develop social impact communications programming to inform and engage consumers, guests, team members, community members, investors, and partners
• Craft strategic messaging/proof points and create engaging storytelling opportunities to promote CAVA’s impact initiatives
• Collaborate with Sustainability and Field Marketing teams to design and deliver PR activations, locally and nationally
• Create CAVA’s annual impact report and support public reporting requirements

Employment branding:

• Lead communications initiatives in support of the company’s Employment Branding strategy
• Collaborate with People & Culture and Creative teams to develop the Employer branding narrative and message platform
• Integrate Employer Branding into CAVA’s PR and internal outreach

Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Collaborate with marketing, social media and culinary teams to integrate PR strategies with overall marketing initiatives
• Serve a backup member of CAVA’s Crisis Triage and Crisis Management teams

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years in public relations, communications or related field
• Strategic thinker with proven success developing communications programs and initiatives; exhibits sound judgment and problem-solving skills
• Storyteller with outstanding communication skills, demonstrating clarity of thought, ability to influence, and adopting appropriate tone of voice; ability to create messaging that connects with a variety of audiences
• Strong project management skills; gracefully manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Track record of collaboration and positive, productive relationships with multiple internal and external partners
• Excellent writing, editing, and copy-editing skills; previous writing/editing experience in corporate communications, PR, or journalism fields preferred.
• Experience in hospitality, retail or consumer packaged goods preferred
• Passionate, dedicated, and hungry to learn, with a personal reputation for kindness, honesty, and integrity
• Proficient in MS Office and various PR, social media, and employee communications platforms and applications
• BA degree in communications, PR, journalism, or a related field

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
• Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and non-exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• Posting ranges are total cash ranges.

*Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.