Marketing & Social Media Specialist

Boka Restaurant Group is currently looking for a Marketing & Social Media Specialist!

The Marketing & Social Media Specialist serves as the primary marketing lead for an assigned portfolio of restaurant concepts This individual is responsible for shaping, executing, and optimizing comprehensive social media and marketing strategies across a portfolio of restaurant locations. With a strong grasp of brand identity, consumer behavior, and digital trends, the Specialist will act as both a creative and analytical driver, partnering closely with restaurant teams, chef partners, and marketing leadership to elevate brand awareness, guest engagement, and business results through integrated marketing initiatives.

Success in this role comes from balancing strategic thinking with exceptional execution, building strong relationships with restaurant teams, remaining curious about emerging trends, and bringing creativity, adaptability, and accountability to every project.

Key Responsibilities:

*Minimum 2-3 days onsite across the restaurants weekly for balance of strategy, planning, and content capture. This position will be required to be available nights and weekends as assigned based on restaurant events and marketing needs.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of integrated social media and marketing strategies tailored to each assigned restaurant’s brand positioning and business objectives.
• Partner with the Sr. Marketing Manager to develop quarterly and annual strategic plans.
• Develop strategic marketing recommendations that align with restaurant goals, seasonal initiatives, guest trends, and business priorities.
• Proactively identify opportunities to amplify brand awareness, support restaurant initiatives, and drive guest engagement across platforms.

Content Strategy & Management

• Own and manage the content calendar for each assigned concept, ensuring alignment with brand voice, aesthetic, and overall marketing goals.
• Direct and oversee content production (photography, videography, reels, storytelling), collaborating with in-house teams and external partners as needed.

• Develop marketing decks, shot lists, and mood boards for monthly content shoots while coordinating with restaurant teams to ensure successful execution.
  Review performance analytics to inform content and posting strategies, optimizing reach, engagement, and conversion.

Brand & Platform Oversight

• Serve as the brand steward for each assigned location across digital platforms ensuring consistency, tone, and professionalism across all touch points.
• Manage day-to-day posting, scheduling, and community engagement across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other relevant platforms, with an eye toward innovation and trend alignment.
• Monitor industry, hospitality, and social media trends to identify opportunities that keep assigned concepts culturally relevant and competitively positioned.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary liaison between marketing and restaurant teams, guiding campaign execution, capturing in-the-moment content, and communicating marketing objectives clearly and effectively.
• Build trusted relationships with chef partners, restaurant leadership, operations teams, and cross-functional departments to ensure marketing initiatives align with business goals.
• Coordinate with photographers, creators, influencers, media partners, and other vendors as needed to support marketing initiatives.
• Lead marketing support for restaurant openings, pop-ups, menu launches, events, and activations ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Maintain a consistent presence in the restaurants, rotating through the locations each week ensuring constant communication with management and culinary teams.

Innovation & Professional Development

• Stay current on emerging hospitality, travel, marketing, and social media trends.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve marketing performance, operational workflows, and guest engagement.

Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Regularly review performance metrics and generate insights reports to assess ROI, campaign success, and content performance.
• Make data-informed recommendations for strategy refinement, audience growth, and platform experimentation.
• Present campaign performance, insights, and recommendations to marketing leadership and restaurant teams as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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!

Physical Requirements:

• 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