Sr Manager-Brand Marketing

CKE Restaurants, Inc.; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CKE Restaurants, Inc. seeks a Sr. Brand Manager to own marketing calendar development and activation, driving brand objectives and lunch-time performance. This strategic role focuses on planning, messaging, and cross-functional execution to lift restaurant results and category leadership.

You will craft national calendar layers, lead menu vision, and collaborate with media, creative teams, and marketing leadership to push growth and profitability.

Qualifications

• 9+ years in branding/marketing or related field, preferably in QSR.
• Broad, well-developed marketing skills for a promotional space.
• Self-starter with fast-paced, ownership mindset and urgency.
• Strong written and verbal communication for varied audiences.
• Creative problem solver able to connect dots and guide strategy.
• Commercial orientation with general-manager perspective.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and hands-on plan execution.
• Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred for advanced credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and activation of the national marketing calendar to drive restaurant results.
• Develop calendar layers (Lunch, value, beverages, LTOs) to boost sales.
• Manage national and test calendars with senior marketing leadership input.
• Define and lead a menu vision to maximize sales and profit.
• Create briefs for internal/external partners using insights and priorities.
• Partner with media and creative teams for agency collaboration.
• Collaborate across functions to improve innovation processes and execution.
• Lead business case development to recommend growth opportunities.

Skills

Brand management

Marketing strategy

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Sr. Brand Manager will be a key player in marketing calendar development and activation for the brand that deliver on brand objectives with the overall goal of driving restaurant results. This role is a challenging and strategic one, critical to the success of the lunch business, the brand’s largest daypart.

Essential Functions

• Be a champion for the brand and operate with a strong sense of ownership
• Help lead the planning and development of the national marketing calendar to enable the brand to exceed same-store sales. Strategically build and plan different calendar layers such as Lunch, value, beverage and LTO products in a unified effort to drive sales
• Manage both national and test marketing calendars and timelines while partnering with marketing leadership team to develop and oversee short and long-term calendar planning strategies
• Help define and lead a menu vision across the brand to maximize sales and profit
• Creative and Culinary brief development for internal and external partners, utilizing consumer insights and business priorities to develop messaging
• Partnership with media and creative teams to engage internal or external agency resources in creative development and media planning
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to drive continuous improvement of the innovation process and ways of working to improve success rate
• Lead business case development to support business recommendations that drive growth

Position Qualifications/Core Competencies

• 9+ Years experience in Branding and Marketing, Advertising, or a related field, ideally in the QSR space
• Demonstrated broad and well-developed functional marketing skills in a dynamic, highly promotional space
• Self-starter, entrepreneurial leader who performs well in a lean, fast-paced environment with a strong work ethic and brings a combination of high energy with a high sense of urgency.
• Strong communication skills; ability to speak and write effectively, adapting messages to a range of audiences.
• Creative problem solver; ability to think outside the box to create solutions and drive business strategy
• A clear commercial orientation and ability to think and act like a general manager
• Strong intuition, ability to “connect the dots” and manage through ambiguity
• The ability to set the strategy but not afraid to get hands dirty to make sure plans are executed properly
• BA / BS degree - M.B.A. or Masters in Marketing degree is preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Corporate Office fast paced, high volume of activity and a deadline driven environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting for extended periods of time, using telephone, typing and/or operating a computer and/or mouse
• Travels as needed approximately fifteen (15)%