Community Engagement and Events Coordinator

At Chick-fil-A New Bern Avenue, we believe in being a  lighthouse to our community —a place known for caring for people, building relationships, and making a positive impact.

We are seeking an organized, outgoing, and dependable  Community Engagement & Events Coordinator to help bring that mission to life.

This hands-on position combines community outreach, event planning, and event execution. You will build relationships with schools, businesses, and local organizations while creating opportunities for people to connect with our restaurant.

Position Overview

The Community Engagement & Events Coordinator plans and executes restaurant events, supports community partnerships, and helps grow awareness, guest visits, and catering opportunities.

Success requires initiative, attention to detail, consistent follow-up, and a willingness to handle the practical work that makes an event successful—from preparing supplies to welcoming guests and cleaning up afterward.

You will work closely with Executive Leadership, the Social Media Coordinator, and restaurant teams to ensure activities are well planned, promoted, and supported.

This position can be part-time or full-time. Approximately 15–20 hours per week will focus on community engagement and events. Full-time employment combines these responsibilities with additional scheduled shifts working operationally in the restaurant.

Key Responsibilities

Community Relationships and Outreach

• Build and maintain relationships with local schools, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Proactively reach out to potential partners and follow up on inquiries.
• Coordinate approved Spirit Nights, fundraising activities, and community partnerships.
• Represent the restaurant professionally at approved community events and meetings.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new guests to our restaurant and connect organizations with our catering offerings.
• Maintain organized contact records and clear next steps for active relationships.

Event Planning and Execution

• Develop and maintain an event calendar for leadership review and approval.
• Plan approved restaurant events and community activities, including timelines, supplies, setup, staffing requests, and cleanup.
• Coordinate event needs with restaurant leadership so activities fit operational capacity.
• Attend and oversee assigned events, welcoming participants and addressing needs as they arise.
• Prepare materials and supplies in advance and ensure commitments are completed on time.
• Track event expenses and work within approved budgets.
• Review event results and recommend improvements.

Marketing and Catering Support

• Provide the Social Media Coordinator with event details, deadlines, and promotional needs early enough for effective promotion.
• Coordinate opportunities for event photos and stories, following restaurant guidelines.
• Ensure event information and promotional materials are accurate and approved.
• Identify catering leads through community relationships and connect interested customers with the appropriate restaurant contact.
• Follow up on assigned outreach opportunities and track outcomes.

Organization and Communication

• Maintain event calendars, planning checklists, partnership records, and follow-up notes.
• Communicate upcoming commitments, resource needs, and potential concerns to leadership.
• Obtain approval before committing restaurant funds, donations, discounts, sponsorships, or staffing.
• Provide a brief monthly update on events, partnerships, outreach, expenses, results, and next steps.
• Participate in restaurant orientation and operational training to understand our service standards, menu, and capacity.

Restaurant Operations — Full-Time Position

• Complete training in assigned restaurant positions.
• Work scheduled operational shifts in addition to community engagement and event responsibilities.
• Support daily service through assigned duties, which may include serving guests, preparing and assembling orders, stocking, and cleaning.
• Follow restaurant standards for hospitality, food safety, quality, accuracy, and speed.
• Demonstrate teamwork, dependability, and a strong sense of urgency.
• Coordinate with leadership to ensure outreach commitments, events, and operational shifts are appropriately scheduled.

What Success Looks Like

• Events are organized, welcoming, and executed reliably.
• Community partners receive timely responses and consistent follow-up.
• Outreach creates meaningful relationships and measurable opportunities for guest visits, fundraising, and catering.
• Restaurant teams receive clear information and adequate preparation time.
• Promotional needs are communicated early.
• Records and results help leadership decide which activities to continue or improve.
• For full-time employees, assigned operational responsibilities are performed consistently and effectively.

Specific goals will be established with Executive Leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently within agreed priorities.
• Comfort initiating conversations with schools, businesses, and community organizations.
• Willingness to handle event setup, execution, and cleanup.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and a coachable attitude.
• Event planning, community outreach, hospitality, sales, or related experience preferred.
• For full-time candidates, willingness to learn restaurant operations and contribute during hands-on service shifts.

Schedule and Position Requirements

• Part-time: Approximately 15–20 hours per week focused on community engagement and events.
• Full-time: Community engagement and event responsibilities combined with additional scheduled restaurant operations shifts.
• Availability for some daytime outreach and meetings, along with evening and Saturday events.
• Full-time candidates must also have availability for agreed-upon operational shifts.
• Reliable transportation to assigned local activities.
• Ability to perform essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation, including standing and walking during events or restaurant shifts and moving supplies.
• Willingness to complete required training and follow food safety procedures when handling or serving food.

Why Join Our Team?

• Meaningful work connecting our restaurant with the community.
• A supportive, people-focused environment.
• Opportunities to develop event planning, communication, and leadership skills.
• Part-time and full-time opportunities.
• Hands-on restaurant training and experience.
• Closed Sundays.

If you enjoy bringing people together, building relationships, and turning plans into well-executed experiences, we would love to meet you.

Working at a Chick-fil-A® restaurant is more than a job – it’s an opportunity for teamwork and leadership development in a positive, people-focused environment. Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, franchised Operators who invest in the future of their Team Members and give back to their communities.