Local Public Relations Manager (West, Mid-Atlantic, and West-Central regions)

Reports To: Senior Public Relations Manager

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Firehouse Subs® is one of the nation’s leading fast casual restaurant chains with a commitment to and passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety. Join an exciting, fast-paced and high energy environment, and the hub of the communication network for more than 1,100 restaurants across 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.

The Local Public Relations Manager will manage local public relations efforts for the West, Mid-Atlantic, and West-Central regions of the Firehouse Subs system, and serve as the Local Public Relations Manager to Area Representatives and Franchisees. The Local Public Relations Manager’s mission is to execute the brand’s annual public relations strategy, integrated campaigns and produce local public relations results that drive sales and Franchisee satisfaction.

Scope of Anticipated Duties:
Communicate and implement the brand’s annual public relations strategy in assigned regions to drive traffic and awareness to meet sales goals and franchisee satisfaction

Develop and execute local public relations as part of integrated campaigns with local Firehouse Subs Marketing Managers that center around traditional earned media as a lead component

Comprehensive New Restaurant Opening public relations to include creation, implementation and execution of new restaurant opening press materials within assigned territory with agency partner media support

Collaborate in developing annual public relations plan with the Senior Public Relations Manager, brand public relations team and public relations agency of record

Identify local public relations initiatives to increase brand awareness through traditional earned media channels

Assemble publicity reports for internal stakeholders of assigned territory

Work with brand public relations team to disseminate brand publicity goals and objectives in local territory

Provide designated Area Representatives (AR) and Franchisees with local restaurant public relations consultation

Coordinate with agency partner to strategize local public relations plans that align with key business objectives

Travel to territory to build relationships with ARs and Franchisees

Act as liaison between field and corporate public relations to ensure ideas, suggestions and feedback are received, considered and responded to appropriately

Provide local public relations support for Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation events in assigned territory

Build trust and collaboration among people, teams and departments

Create and execute educational and strategic public relations presentations at territory meetings

Ensure public relations and media policy information is effectively communicated to assigned ARs and Franchisees

Coordinate approvals of any local public relations efforts

Support agency partner and Senior Public Relations Manager with national public relations initiatives

Provides crisis communications support to Senior Public Relations Manager in assigned territory, as needed

Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or a related field

Minimum of three years public relations, corporate communications or journalism work experience

Public relations agency background in account service

Able to effectively multi-task and manage competing priorities

Able to communicate in both written and verbal form with conviction and credibility, adapting message to suit level of audience