Director, Consumer PR (Food + Beverage)

Full-time

NYC metro or LA

Hybrid, 2x/week (New York)

$115K–$135K + bonus

“You’ve built the media relationships. You know F+B inside out. Now you want a seat at the table: Real strategy, real clients, no layers. That’s exactly what this role is.”

THE OPPORTUNITY

Catamaran is a strategic comms agency built for how media actually works today. We’re looking for a Director to lead earned media strategy for some of the most exciting names in food and beverage — and beyond.

This isn’t a “manage the junior team” role. You’ll be the one shaping narratives, building programs that move culture, and owning client relationships at the senior level.

You’ll work across a portfolio that includes:

Shake Shack · Chobani · La Colombe · Amazon · Edible Arrangements · Nature’s Garden · and more.

YOU’LL THRIVE HERE IF…

✓ Bureaucracy makes you want to quit. You want to run plays, not wait for three sign-offs.

✓ You have F+B journalists, editors and producers on speed dial.

✓ You have strong opinions about what good PR looks like, and you back them up.

✓ You geek out on culture, trends and the media landscape and know how to turn that into client wins.

✓ You’re as comfortable building strategy as you are rolling up your sleeves to execute it.

✓ You’re genuinely curious about AI tools and how they can make your work sharper and faster.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead earned media strategy for a portfolio of F+B and consumer clients, developing proactive programs that connect brands to culture and drive real coverage.

• Own key client relationships at the senior level; serve as a trusted strategic partner and counselor, including in issues and crisis moments.

• Identify, structure and oversee paid partnership opportunities, including with influencers, celebrities, and media, that amplify earned programs.

• Stay ahead of the media landscape; bring proactive intelligence, trend signals and ideas to clients before they ask.

• Manage integrated workstreams with creative partners and internal teams, keeping everything on track and on strategy.

• Leverage AI and emerging tools for smarter research, outreach, content development and reporting; champion these across the team.

• Mentor junior staff; elevate the team’s thinking and output.

• Play an active role in new business, from identifying opportunities to leading presentations.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 7+ years of PR experience (agency and/or in-house) with deep roots in Food+Beverage and CPG. You’ve worked on both scrappy launches and established brands.

• Genuine, well-maintained relationships with F+B journalists, editors, producers and influencers across traditional and emerging media.

• A track record of building and executing programs that drove measurable, tangible results.

• Experience across the full communications mix: consumer brand, corporate, executive visibility, thought leadership and issues management.

• Outstanding written, oral and presentation skills.

• Comfort with data, research tools and analytics, and the ability to turn insights into strategy.

• Genuine enthusiasm for AI tools and a record of testing and adopting new technologies to improve your work.

• A collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with strong instincts for managing up, down and laterally.

WHY CATAMARAN IS DIFFERENT

No junior bench

Every person on your team knows what they’re doing. No babysitting.

You own the account

Small dedicated teams mean you see your work ship and get credit for it.

Ideas travel fast

Flat structure. Your pitch to leadership is one conversation, not a committee.

Award-winning culture

2025 PRNews Platinum Award - Best Medium-Size Agency. High retention rate. People stay.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $115,000–$135,000, commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus.

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage

• Paid parental leave

• 401k with company match

• Generous PTO, paid holidays and volunteer time off

• Professional growth and development programs

• Charitable giving benefit

• Flexible hybrid schedule (2 days/week in NYC office for NYC-based employees)

ABOUT CATAMARAN

Catamaran is an agile strategic comms agency built to help brands earn attention, trust and brand love in today’s fragmented, always-on media environment. Formerly the PR practice at Confidant, Catamaran launched as a stand-alone agency in January 2026. We’re based in NYC, independent, and part of the Nostos Network.

Recognized as PRNews Platinum Award Best Medium-Size Agency of the Year (2025), PRovoke Media Best 80 PR Agencies in the US (2025), PRNews Agency Elite (2021–2026), and Inc. Best Workplaces (2021, 2023 & 2024).

Sound like you? We’d love to hear from you.

catamarancomms.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Catamaran, delivering our best work begins with being accepting of each other. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.