Manager of Brand Activations & Social

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative and welcoming workplace then a career with our Corporate Familia is right for you.

What’s in it for you!

• Hybrid work schedule
• Competitive pay and bonus
• Medical Dental Vision Insurance
• 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vacation Sick Pay 12 Paid Holidays
• Amazing office culture
• Free El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card) Restaurant Discount
• Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more…
  
  

Our Company

In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Manager of Brand Activations & Social will lead brand campaigns across social media and field activations. This role is a key player in bringing our brand to life in real time—both on screen and IRL. You’ll manage our social channel strategy, partner with creative and PR agencies, lead activations and events, and mentor one direct report. Bonus points if you’re comfortable on set or behind the camera capturing authentic, scroll-stopping content.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Social Media & Content (50%)

• Lead strategy and calendar across all customer-facing brand social platforms, excluding Linkedin
• Collaborating with internal comms team to find messaging synergies & efficiencies
• Partner with creative agency and internal team on content development
• Contribute to, and support, the creation of content; community engage strategies and customer outreach
• Identify trends and real-time moments to keep the brand culturally relevant
• Support content capture—on location, in restaurant, and at events
• Oversee performance reporting and analytics, recommending optimizations
  
  

Brand Activations (30%)

• Own brand activations strategy and calendar
• Create Marketing briefs and project plans for cross-functional Marketing teams, both internal and external agencies
• Plan and execute local and national brand activations, pop-ups, and in-restaurant experiences
• Collaborate cross-functionally with ops, culinary, and PR to ensure seamless execution
• Manage logistics, vendors, timelines, and budgets for activations
• Capture and package activations into social and PR-worthy moments
  
  

Team Leadership & Collaboration (10%)

• Manage and mentor Social Media Coordinator
• Work closely with PR, creative, and media agencies
• Build strong relationships across internal teams (Ops, HR, Culinary, Franchise, etc.)
  
  

Presentation & Reporting (10%)

• Create and present monthly social activation reports to leadership
• Lead campaign recaps with clear performance insights and learnings
• Confidently present ideas and strategies in cross-functional meetings across all levels of leadership
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

Education/Work Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred with at least 6-8 years of experience in brand marketing, social media, or event and activation marketing. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record managing brand social media accounts with fluency across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Experience in agency or in-house environments in the restaurant or consumer space is preferred. Prior experience managing or mentoring junior team members is also essential.

License/Certifications:

Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong content development skills; familiarity with tools such as iPhone capture, Canva, and CapCut.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communicator; strong presentation and storytelling skills.
• Creative thinker who stays ahead of trends and thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Willingness to travel and participate in on-site activations as needed.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on matters of significance to the company.
• Ability to work at the Support Center consistent with the hybrid work policy.
  
  

The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.