Senior Account Director - Food and BeverageDepartment: Lifestyle
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: PURPLE New York
Compensation: $120,000 - $130,000 / year
DescriptionWe seek a
Senior Account Director with an insatiable passion for food, mixology, and the magic of hospitality to lead high-profile restaurant, bar, and beverage accounts. You'll blend PR strategy with creative genius to launch Michelin-starred concepts, curate immersive dining experiences, and turn chefs into household names. If you live for the buzz of a packed restaurant opening and dream in press headlines, this is your stage.
Key ResponsibilitiesCulinary Storytelling & Campaign Leadership- Design bold PR strategies for celebrity chefs, luxury hotel F&B programs, and emerging drink brands.
- Brainstorm experiential campaigns-think pop-ups in unexpected locales, chef-artist collaborations, or viral cocktail competitions.
- Craft narratives that transcend food: Position clients as cultural icons (e.g., linking Francis Mallmann's fire feasts to sustainability trends).
Media Mastery- Secure coverage in top-tier food, lifestyle, and business outlets (NY Times Food, Eater, Food & Wine, Bloomberg Pursuits).
- Cultivate relationships with critics, editors, and influencers who shape dining trends.
- Leverage global agency networks to amplify stories across APAC, EMEA, and Americas markets.
Client Partnership- Serve as a trusted advisor to restaurant groups, chefs, hotel groups, and beverage innovators.
- Navigate high-stakes moments: restaurant openings, crisis comms (e.g., supply chain scandals), and brand reinventions.
Team Mentorship & Growth- Lead a team of account managers and creatives, fostering a culture of curiosity and precision.
- Collaborate with in-house content creators, social media strategists, and event producers to deliver 360° campaigns.
New Business Innovation- Identify and pitch prospects in emerging spaces: non-alcoholic spirits, farm-to-table tech, and Web3 dining experiences.
- Develop proposals that showcase creative flair and ROI-driven results.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise- 8-10+ years in PR/communications, with 5+ years focused on restaurants, beverages, or luxury hospitality (agency experience mandatory).
- Portfolio of campaigns that generated national headlines, awards, or viral buzz.
- Rolodex of top food critics, editors (e.g., Pete Wells, Helen Rosner), and influencer-chefs.
- Deep understanding of culinary trends (e.g., regenerative dining, zero-proof mixology) and the media landscape.
- Passion for creative risk-taking: You've pitched a client's tasting menu as performance art or turned a bar into a NFT gallery.
- Bachelor's degree in PR, Journalism, Culinary Arts, or related field.
