Vice President (Food & Beverage)

Edible Inc., part of the Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE) family of companies, has an amazing opportunity for a Vice President (VP) to join our team in Chicago. Edible Inc. is a food and beverage specialized agency focused entirely on the culture, tastes and business of a rapidly changing industry. Critical to the role are a passion for food and a love for culture, as well as the ability to be an empathetic, inclusive leader that champions great teams and great work.

The VP will lead a portfolio of brands on one of our largest CPG clients. Key to this role will be strong client service and leadership skills, and the ability to drive forward the strategy, development and execution of integrated PR & Influencer programs rooted in client business needs. The VP must have experience and capabilities in integrated brand planning, creative development, earned media strategy, influencer partnerships, and measurement + analysis. They will work with team members across disciplines and be responsible for ensuring the team delivers to a high standard.

The VP will be an integral member of the collaborative and high performing account team; and report into the EVP, Client Relationship Manager.

Client Relations & Business Expert

• Serves as client brand leader and provides strategic counsel, building a strong partnership rooted in open dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect
• Becomes an expert on the client business, products, competitive set, and priorities
• Effectively guides and presents the agency's recommendations and point-of-view to clients with excellence
• Manage dynamics of working amongst an Integrated Agency Team (IAT) including creative, paid media, social and shopper agency partners

Program Management & Execution

• Leads PR and influencer strategy to achieve brand marketing and communications objectives, including annual planning
• Demonstrates tactical proficiency in Earned Media relations (PR), including oversight of outreach plans, message development and management of activations
• Demonstrates tactical proficiency in Influencer programming, including partnering with team experts to define strategy and analyze results
• Oversees operational performance of accounts, ensuring work quality and deadline adherence
• Develops accurate project scopes and budgets using the firm's financial system, working with internal discipline partners
• Oversees project financials (e.g., budget vs. actual), manages day-to-day client budget issues to resolution, ensures teams follows financial policies and processes, and guides internal finance and forecasting work
• Demonstrates strong writing skills to craft internal and client correspondence, communications plans, press materials, client presentations, etc. as well as successfully present POVs and work to gain internal and client alignment
• Owns presentation preparation, ensuring that all materials are correct and submitted by partners/departments on time
• Partners with analytics team to set client program goals, manage against them, and lead development of integrated recap reports against set goals
• Has and understanding of paid amplification of Influencer and PR content

Team Management & Integration

• Mentors, coaches and develops direct reports - that includes goal setting, monitoring performance in context of a development plan and providing feedback in a timely manner
• Oversees junior staff's work to ensure quality and consistency
• Effectively collaborates with and guides cross-disciplinary team members including Project Management, Planning, Creative, Production, Influencer, Media, Analytics and more
• Takes the lead to mobilize cross-disciplinary team members in order to bring programming to life and execute with excellence

Passion, Curiosity and Values

• Has an innate passion for food, and curiosity for learning
• Loves to stay on top of culture, and is constantly consuming news and social media in order to predict trends and use those to inform the work
• Interest in learning about innovative communications marketing approaches, and emerging technologies
• Participates in relevant professional organizations and networking activities that will grow Edible Inc. brand recognition and own reputation
• Demonstrates behaviors consistent with Edible Inc's values, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in public relations
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (PR, English, Communications, Journalism, Advertising) from an accredited college or university 
• Experience in the Food & Bev and/or CPG industries
• Proven ability to manage large, integrated projects and teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of clients' businesses and their missions, as well as their key stakeholders: consumers, employees, investors, regulators, media, vendors, partners, and other businesses/organizations, etc., as well as ability to impart this knowledge to account team members
• Strong storytelling skills and ability to provide sound, level-appropriate media counsel with all levels of internal client contacts
• Excellent written and verbal communications

$95,000 - $156,000 a year

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits. 

Edible is a food and beverage specialized agency focused entirely on the culture, tastes and business of a rapidly changing industry. Founded in 2014, Edible sits within the Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE) family of companies, and focuses on helping our clients make meaningful connections with their customers - whether through values-forward brand programs, increasing transparency in the supply chain or managing through implications of a changing export market. We help solve business challenges in an always-evolving marketplace.

For more information please visit: www.edible-inc.com

Employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and, if hired, present proof of vaccination before start date. Candidates may request an accommodation due to disability, sincerely held religious belief or exception required under applicable law.  

Edible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage racially and ethnically diverse people, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, parents, individuals with disabilities and members of any and all protected classes to apply.