Senior Manager of Public Relations & Community Impact at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants | Downers Grove, IL | $110K/yr – $130K/yr

Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants

Senior Manager of Public Relations & Community Impact

Downers Grove, IL (Hybrid)

$110K/yr – $130K/yrSenior Level7+ years expFull time

Posted 4 months ago

Top 1% of applicants do these two things.

The other 99% submit and hope. You're about to do something different.

Job Summary

Drive external PR strategy and execution for Cooper’s Hawk, owning media relations, storytelling, and crisis readiness as a senior communications leader.

Own media outreach, press materials, and editorial storytelling for national and local markets.
Must-have: 7+ years in public relations with leadership and cross-functional experience.
Standout: Hands-on, player–coach approach with writing, pitching, events, and media engagement.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Cultivate strong relationships with journalists, editors, bloggers, and influencers across food, wine, travel, lifestyle, business, and culture.
Lead proactive earned media outreach while ensuring timely, accurate, and professional response to inbound media inquiries.
Secure meaningful earned media coverage that enhances credibility, guest interest, and long-term brand equity.
Act as the primary external media contact, managing inquiries with professionalism, speed, and sound judgment.
Lead development of press releases, media kits, executive messaging, and brand narratives.
Identify and develop culturally relevant, seasonal storytelling opportunities across wine, food, and experiences that align with media interests throughout the year.
Translate Wine of the Month programs, seasonal menus, and experiential moments into editorial story angles that resonate with lifestyle and food media.
Develop clear, concise PR reporting and coverage recaps to inform stakeholders and track progress against brand and reputation goals.
Maintain a consistent, authentic brand voice across all external communications.
Lead external crisis communications planning and execution, including reactive media response and reputation management.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive experience in public relations, communications, or brand reputation roles, preferably within an agency and/or hospitality, food & beverage, travel, or lifestyle brands.
Proven leader and doer with experience owning strategy, execution, results, and reporting while managing and developing others.
Demonstrated ability to provide sound judgment and strategic counsel to senior leaders, particularly in high-visibility or reputationally complex situations.
Strong editorial instincts with the ability to translate products, programs, and experiences into culturally relevant stories.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong editorial judgment and executive presence.
Strong operational rigor, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to support time-sensitive issues or high-visibility moments outside standard business hours when needed.
Ability to travel up to 25%, over weekends to support new restaurant openings.
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
Passion for hospitality, wine, food culture, and building brands people genuinely love.

Benefits

Incredible Discounts:
Monthly Dining Allowance
50% Dining and Carryout
40% Retail Wine
20% Retail and Private Events
Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance plus Telemedicine and Wellness Program
Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Flexible Savings Accounts- Health and Dependent Care
Health Savings Account

Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants was created with the inspiration of bringing the Napa Valley experience to all of America, by combining an elegant tasting room with a polished casual restaurant and scratch kitchen. Built upon the belief that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections, Cooper’s Hawk is home to one of the world’s largest wine clubs with nearly 800k-and-growing member base. The Cooper’s Hawk portfolio currently includes over 70 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant locations throughout 14 states, as well as a new “by Cooper’s Hawk” brands introduced in 2022: Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk. At Cooper's Hawk, connection is at the heart of everything we do! As a part of our team, you'll join a culture of collaboration, where you'll find the tools, training, and support to succeed, and make a real difference. Join us on this exciting growth journey, as we deliver the extraordinary to our Wine Club Members, and Cooper's Hawk Community. Together, we'll transform moments into memories!Connection. Community. Uncompromising Hospitality.

Founded in 2005

Downers Grove, Illinois, USA

3.4K employees (132 in marketing)

www.chwinery.com