• $125,000 - $140,000 base salary range + annual bonus potential!
• 100% remote in the United States, however, due to state-specific regulatory requirements, Potbelly does not currently support remote work from the following states: Alaska, California, and Hawaii. To be considered for this position, you must be able to perform the role from a state not listed above at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

What's In It For You**:

• Competitive pay with performance-based annual raises!
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Domestic Partnership Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Retirement Savings 401(k) WITH company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Discount Program
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Career growth opportunities

**If hired, you must meet and maintain all eligibility requirements to qualify**

Job Title: Senior Manager, Brand

Department/Function: Marketing

Location: Support Center

Reports to (Title): Senior Director, Brand Marketing

Job Level: Manager

Job Band: Sr Manager

Full-Time - Exempt

Travel Requirements: Moderately

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Brand Manager is accountable for brand strategy, marketing calendar management, and creative oversight at Potbelly. Key responsibilities include building and stewarding an insights-led annual marketing calendar, developing compelling promotional and brand initiatives that populate the calendar, and bringing all activities to life across paid, owned, and earned channels with high-quality, effective execution. This position will also play a primary role in overseeing media and the relationship with the media agency.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Brand Marketing, the Senior Brand Manager will manage two direct reports: Manager, Graphic Design & Art and Associate Manager, Brand & Production. A Marketing Operations Associate will not report into this role but will partner closely to support execution.

This is a critical position within the Marketing organization, accountable for both setting brand strategy and ensuring it is executed with excellence. The role is intentionally hands-on-the Senior Brand Manager is expected to lead, build, and deliver the work, not simply direct it.

FOCUS

Brand Strategy & Stewardship

• Own brand positioning, messaging, tone, look and feel, and brand guardrails
• Ensure consistent application of brand voice and visual identity across all channels
• Translate insights and performance into actionable brand strategies
• Annual Marketing Calendar Leadership
• Build and manage a 6+ month forward-looking marketing calendar
• Ensure the right balance of traffic-driving and brand-building initiatives to meet business goals
• Define initiative timing, sequencing, and success metrics

Promotions & Campaign Strategy

• Lead development of promotions and key initiatives across cross-functional teams
• Define offer strategy, messaging, and business objectives
• Ensure campaigns align to brand strategy and deliver against business objectives
• Channel Planning & Media Integration
• Define channel roles across paid, owned, earned, and in-shop environments
• Ensure channel requirements, asset needs, and readiness timelines are clear
• Partner with media agency on planning, execution, and optimization

Creative Leadership & Development

• Own and develop clear, strategic creative briefs that translate strategy into execution
• Lead end-to-end creative development across internal and external teams
• Provide clear, consolidated feedback tied to strategy, brand standards, and performance
• Ensure creative is developed for channel-specific formats and optimized for performance

Agency & Partner Management

• Manage creative agency roster, including partner selection, scope, and performance
• Partner with PR agency on earned media strategy and key moments
• Hold agency partners accountable for quality, performance, brand adherence, and timelines

Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution

• Partner with Operations, Digital, Finance, and Field teams to align on initiatives
• Drive readiness, coordination, and execution across all functions
• Operate as a hands-on leader-personally driving progress and solving problems
• Experimentation & Performance Optimization
• Establish and lead a testing and learning agenda across campaigns and channels
• Use data and insights to refine strategies, creative, and channel plans
• Drive continuous improvement without compromising brand consistency

Reporting & Operational Excellence

• Lead post-campaign analysis and translate findings into clear actions
• Provide leadership visibility into performance and calendar health
• Build and maintain operating rhythms, processes, and governance

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop direct reports across creative and brand/production functions
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment
• Establish clear expectations, processes, and development opportunities

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Ability to work extended hours as needed
• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods
• Must be able to communicate heavily through text, telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, and in-person communications

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORS

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field preferred
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in brand, integrated, or category marketing
• Experience in QSR, food & beverage, retail, hospitality, or consumer brands preferred
• Proven ability to lead brand strategy (positioning, messaging, voice, identity) and translate it into execution
• Demonstrated success building and managing high-velocity marketing calendars with 6+ month forward planning
• Strong creative leadership experience, including briefing, feedback, and overseeing development across internal and external teams
• Experience managing creative, media, and PR agencies, including performance and ways of working
• Experience overseeing production for brand content (photo/video) and/or in-shop creative ecosystems preferred
• Strong strategic thinker with ability to connect brand, creative, and business outcomes
• Highly hands-on operator who drives work from concept through execution
• Clear and decisive communicator with strong judgment and prioritization skills
• Collaborative cross-functional leader able to influence without direct authority
• High level of organization with strong planning and calendar discipline
• Creative judgment and ability to evaluate work against brand and performance goals
• Learning mindset with focus on testing, iteration, and continuous improvement
• Ability to balance brand-building with performance-driven marketing

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [8/31/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.