Senior Marketing Specialist

Boka Restaurant Group is currently looking for a Senior Marketing Specialist!

The Senior Marketing Specialist serves as the strategic marketing lead for a portfolio of restaurants within Boka Restaurant Group. This individual owns integrated marketing and social media strategy across assigned concepts and serves as a senior partner to restaurant leadership, Chef Partner teams, and the Senior Marketing Manager.

In addition to individual account ownership, the Senior Marketing Specialist takes a portfolio-level approach to planning, identifying opportunities for greater alignment, efficiency and strategic growth across the restaurants. This role is designed for an experienced marketer capable of operating independently, contributing to broader department strategy, mentoring team members and developing toward future people and portfolio leadership as Boka Restaurant Group continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Strategy & Leadership 

• Own integrated marketing and social media strategy across assigned restaurant concepts.

• Develop quarterly and annual strategic plans in partnership with the Senior Marketing Manager.

• Serve as the primary marketing contact for restaurant leadership and Chef Partner teams.

• Translate restaurant business objectives into actionable marketing strategies and campaigns.

• Identify opportunities for alignment, collaboration, and efficiency across the portfolio.

• Proactively identify opportunities, risks and solutions and bring strategic recommendations to marketing leadership.

• Support annual planning, restaurant growth initiatives, new concept development and openings.

Integrated Marketing & Campaign Management 

• Develop and execute campaigns supporting reservations, programming, menu launches, events, private dining, partnerships and other business priorities.

• Maintain marketing calendars, campaign timelines and deliverables across assigned concepts.

• Coordinate with PR, digital, creative, operations and external partners to ensure integrated execution.

• Evaluate competing priorities across the portfolio and recommend where marketing resources should be focused.

• Ensure campaigns and initiatives are executed on time and aligned with individual restaurant objectives.

Content & Social Media Strategy 

• Own content and social media strategy across assigned brands.

• Direct photography, videography, short-form video, and other storytelling initiatives.

• Oversee content calendars, publishing, scheduling, and community engagement.

• Maintain individual brand voice, visual identity, and positioning across concepts.

• Identify emerging platforms, trends, and storytelling opportunities appropriate for each brand.

• Utilize performance reporting to optimize content strategies and campaign effectiveness.

Restaurant & Chef Partner Relationships 

• Maintain a consistent onsite presence across assigned restaurants, with a minimum of 2–3 days onsite weekly across the portfolio for strategy, planning, meetings and content capture.

• Serve as a trusted strategic marketing partner to Chef Partner, operations and restaurant leadership.

• Lead marketing support for openings, launches, events, activations and major restaurant initiatives.

• Establish clear timelines, expectations, and communication between restaurant and marketing teams.

• Advocate for marketing recommendations while balancing operational and business needs.

• Availability for nights and weekends as assigned based on restaurant events and marketing needs.

Performance & Business Analysis 

• Regularly review social, digital and campaign performance.

• Translate performance data into actionable strategic recommendations.

• Identify opportunities to improve awareness, engagement, conversion and overall restaurant business performance.

• Establish measurable objectives for major campaigns and initiatives.

• Participate in regular restaurant and portfolio performance discussions.

Department Leadership & Mentorship 

• Serve as a senior resource and thought partner to Marketing Specialists, Associates and Coordinators.

• Share best practices and contribute to improved workflows and department processes.

• Support onboarding and informal mentorship of team members as appropriate.

• Help identify opportunities for greater consistency and efficiency across restaurant marketing.

• Contribute to broader department strategic planning and growth conversations.

• Provide guidance, mentorship and project direction to Coordinators supporting the portfolio, while formal people management remains with Marketing Leadership until the organizational structure evolves.

Hospitality Industry Knowledge & Cultural Awareness 

• Maintain a strong pulse on the hospitality and restaurant industry, including relevant news, emerging trends, notable openings, chef and restaurant activity, consumer behavior and cultural shifts locally, nationally and internationally.

• Demonstrate a genuine passion for restaurants, chefs, hospitality, and dining culture, with the ability to speak knowledgeably and confidently about the industry.

• Regularly monitor the competitive landscape and identify noteworthy concepts, campaigns, partnerships, programming and guest experiences that may inform or inspire opportunities across the portfolio.

• Bring relevant industry insights, trends and competitive observations into strategic planning conversations with Marketing Leadership, Chef Partners and restaurant teams.

• Proactively share relevant hospitality news, ideas and emerging opportunities with the broader marketing team to strengthen the department’s collective industry knowledge.

• 3–5 years of experience in marketing, social media, hospitality, or a related field
• Strong photography and mobile video creation skills
• Experience using Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar marketing platforms
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple brands and competing priorities simultaneously
• Passion for restaurants, hospitality, food, and storytelling

Benefits & Perks: Health, Dental, and Voluntary Benefits Package (available after 90 days), free membership to Chicago Athletic Clubs employer-sponsored mental health and resource program, 401(k) program, life insurance, wellness benefits, paid parental leave, paid vacation, career mentorship and growth potential, and dining incentives across our 20+ establishments!

• Lift and move up to 10 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Safely and effectively use all necessary tools, equipment, and cleaning chemicals
• Stand and walk for an entire shift, including moving safely through all areas of the restaurant which may include stairs, uneven, and/or slick surfaces
• Ability to bear exposure to hot and cold environments