Brand Manager Needed at Darden Restaurants in Orlando, FL

A Brand Manager takes the lead responsibility for developing plans and executing projects and initiatives that support the broader short and long-term marketing strategy. The Manager collaborates with Consumer Insights, Culinary and Beverage and Finance to ensure the brand remains relevant to consumers and that all initiatives support the brand promise.  Additionally, Brand Managers take a lead in managing vendor partners and communication agencies, and all aspects of their projects.  JOB DESCRIPTION: • Converts brand strategies into innovative action plans to achieve marketing growth opportunities and develops new strategies to leverage market segments
• Applies an understanding of consumer, market and industry trends to daily work activities associated with the development and execution of brand-building opportunities
• Develops team members by seeking out and supporting training, development, and other professional growth opportunities; manages individual and team performance through coaching, feedback, and performance management discussions
• Manages resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for projects; supports and manages budgeting, contract agreements, and invoice payment for vendor-related work 
• Supports others in modeling the financial impact of promotional materials to achieve financial goals (guest, sales, margin)
• Oversees and develops briefs to guide projects ; plans, organizes, monitors, and controls all aspects of a project and ensures engagement, commitment, and risk management; provides ongoing communications support on project status to ensure senior management alignment
• Leads the management of all or a portion of the product development process:  product ideation, development, testing, implementation and post analysis of  promotion/core menu plans
• Develops and manages national and/or local promotion marketing calendars
• Manages the development of national advertising to build short-term business and long-term equity; leads ad testing process and budget EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, & OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS: • Brand Strategy Development:  Demonstrates the capability to develop and create a clear and compelling brand strategy and evolve and support that strategy over time
• Brand Equity Management: Demonstrates the capability to ensure all brand activities build brand equity 
• Advertising and Brand Communications: Displays the ability to translate brand positioning and strategy into effective consumer advertising and communications
• National Promotion Development and Management: Demonstrates the capability to lead national promotions that build the brand and drive the business
• Local Promotion Development and Management: Demonstrates the capability to lead local promotions that build the brand and drive the business
• Consumer Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of current consumer and industry behaviors, trends, attitudes, preferences, and needs
• Project Management: Demonstrates the capability to achieve desired outcomes on time and within budget through the application of project management principles and techniques
• Brand Activation: Demonstrates an understanding and capability in executing the brand strategy
• Bachelor's Degree (Marketing, Business or related field) required; MBA  preferred
• 3+  years brand marketing experience; preferably in hospitality, retail, consumer packaged goods or advertising agency
• Successful management  and execution of new product development preferred
• Successful management  execution of advertising and brand communications preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and hold team members accountable for performance preferred
• Some travel required
• Passion for food and hospitality
• Or, equivalent combination of education, training and experience 

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $ 73,700 - 98,300

***Openings are currently for Red Lobster, The Capital Grille, and Longhorn Steakhouse***

 

* All qualified candidates please submit your resume to: JMerrick@darden.com