Meritage Hospitality Group is seeking a Director of Marketing to join the team!  

What You’ll Do:

The Marketing Director will create, develop, lead and execute the organization’s strategic marketing approach that aligns with brand standards and supports the achievement of business goals. The marketing plans’ focus will be to consistently drive customer traffic, increase sales and foster customer satisfaction. Additional goals will include establishing a strong brand presence with clear market positioning focused on brand loyalty. This position is responsible for projecting and measuring the effectiveness of their marketing strategies, tactics and programs, adjusting as necessary to achieve successful business metrics.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

• Develop and manage team that supports and coordinates company marketing strategies and efforts.
• Analyze the competitive landscape, benchmark markets and brand(s) against local competitors in terms of sales, products, price, promotion and brand loyalty.
• Establish an organizational marketing strategy to capitalize on market opportunities, generating sales, increased customer counts and engagement across the brand(s).
• Develop and implement pre and post opening marketing plans for all newly built and remodeled restaurants.
• Spearhead the tactical use of digital sales building platforms, including delivery, mobile ordering, loyalty, online gift cards, websites, social media and other customer engagement platforms.
• Collaborate with external creative partners or agencies to develop and implement promotions consistent with brand positioning that drive sales and transactions.
• Establish and maintain the annual budget for all marketing expenditures.  Responsible for marketing program financial results and working with organizational partners to streamline efficiency, maximize spending and increase returns on investment (ROI).
• Create and maintain an organizational marketing calendar that aligns with brand(s) national calendar and positions.  Focus and design initiatives to support restaurant operations in making strategic business decisions.
• Act as the organizational liaison with franchisor(s), advertising agencies & fellow franchisees in all Division Marketing Associations (DMAs) to influence strategic direction.
• Drive the company’s corporate strategic direction in the areas of marketing, advertising, digital marketing, internal communication, media/public relations & creative development.
• Develop regular key marketing metrics to measure ongoing results.
• Establish Marketing policies, procedures and process improvements to enhance team performance and delivery.

What We Expect From You

The team at Meritage is made up of dedicated, hard-working individuals who exemplify the core values of Meritage. The team has high expectations for themselves and anyone who desires to join them. They also have a lot of fun together and truly enjoy working with one another. It is a team where excellence is expected and accomplishments are celebrated. To join this team, you’ll need to demonstrate the same high standards. You’ll also need the following qualifications:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience with progressive experience in direct marketing initiatives in the restaurant or retail industry highly preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills at all levels within the organization
• Ability to drive customer engagement and customer retention through marketing initiatives
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office, Graphic design and tools, and related business software
• Ability to analysis data and formulate actions to optimize marketing efforts
• Ability to demonstrate effective cross-functional team collaboration
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of marketing and industry trends
• Knowledge of user experience optimization
• Creative design development
• Multi-project design and management

What You Can Expect From Us

As a member of Meritage, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive base salary and bonus plans
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k with company match
• Meal discounts at all Meritage affiliated restaurants
• Plus various additional perks and benefits

Who We Are

Meritage Hospitality Group, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is one of the nation’s premier restaurant operators with more than 375 restaurants operating in 15 states. We are one of the largest Wendy’s franchisees. In addition to quick service, we have developed West Michigan casual dining concepts Stan’s Tacos and Morning Belle. Each of our concepts deliver a distinct dining experience for our guests and a work environment rich with opportunity for our approximately 11,000 team members.

At Meritage, we are Inspired by Opportunity and Achieve Success Through Service. We live by our five Core Values – Uncommon Hospitality, Run It Like You Own It, Collective Genius, The Sky is the Limit, and We Love What We Do. In the past five years, we have doubled in size and will continue to grow with Wendy's and further development of our Morning Belle.

Now is the time to join!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Inclusion is at the heart of our business.