Director, Consumer PR (Food+Beverage)

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. By embedding small teams of versatile, experienced, AI-savvy communicators alongside in-house partners—and collaborating closely with creative partners—Catamaran delivers earned-first programs aligned to culture, business goals, and real-world outcomes. Formerly the PR practice at Confidant, Catamaran launched as a stand-alone agency in January 2026. Based in NYC, clients include Amazon, Shake Shack, Chobani, La Colombe, Aura, BARK/BarkBox, Patreon, Nature’s Garden, Michaels, Edible Arrangements, and others. 

Catamaran is an independent agency in the Nostos Network, and has been recognized with industry awards, including the 2025 PRNews Platinum Award for Best Medium-Size Agency of the Year; PRovoke Media’s 2025 Best 80 PR Agencies in the US; Inc. Best Workplaces 2021, 2023 & 2024; PRWeek’s Best Boutique Agency 2021 (Honorable Mention); PRovoke’s Outstanding Boutique Agency 2021 (Finalist); PRovoke’s Top 5 Boutique Agencies to Work For (2021-2024); PRNews Agency Elite (2021-2026); PR Net 100 (2023-2025) and Next Gen (2023) Lists.

Learn more at catamarancomms.com

WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT

• Experienced: A hands-on, seasoned team. No entry-level employees
• Strategic: Insights-based approach aligned to client business goals
• Impactful: Set up to dive deep and focused on results
• Versatile: Skilled in consumer and corporate communications
• Transparent: Upfront about expectations on all fronts
• Agile: Smaller, dedicated teams delivering more, with less overhead

JOB DESCRIPTION

Catamaran is looking for a Director, Consumer PR to work on exciting brands across its extensive Food Beverage portfolio. The ideal candidate will have 8 years PR agency and/or in-house experience focused on driving earned media and creating integrated campaigns for scrappy start-ups and established direct-to-consumer companies and brands, specifically in the Food Beverage and CPG sectors. This role will support both traditional media relations and influencer work – with an emphasis on being well-versed in leveraging the cultural zeitgeist as a catalyst for press coverage as well as product updates and industry trends – to promote our clients’ stories across owned, earned and paid channels. Candidates must also be excellent writers and have strong media relationships in both traditional and emerging media.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Full-time

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and drive earned, integrated media strategies that support clients’ business objectives, including generating proactive ideas and value beyond the scope of work when relevant.

• Identify and oversee all logistics for paid partnership opportunities – including with influencers, celebrities and media -- for client campaigns.

• Continuously stay abreast of the evolving media landscape and nurture strong relationships with traditional and emerging media; regularly share intel and recommendations with clients and internal teams.

• Expertly counsel clients to help meet business goals based on a deep understanding of the media, regulatory and stakeholder landscape; provide support in issues management when warranted.

• Manage day-to-day operations of specific accounts, including coordination of integrated workstreams, client communication and team management.

• Play an active role in the agency's new business initiatives; participate in new business presentations.

• Leverage AI and emerging technologies (e.g., media intelligence, trend forecasting, content development, reporting and workflow automation tools) to inform strategy, optimize outreach, streamline processes and enhance results.

• Mentor junior staff.

• Be willing and able to fuel and implement fresh thinking, push boundaries, and experiment - always looking for the “wow” factor for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8 years’ experience (a mix of agency and in-house experience is welcome) – with extensive experience in the Food Beverage and CPG sectors – on both consumer brand launches and product news, as well as companies’ corporate stories, including workplace, product development, executive visibility and thought leadership–both for scrappy start-ups and established brands.

• Excellent strategic understanding of both traditional and modern consumer communications, integrating strategic planning, analytics and creative to develop and execute integrated media campaigns.

• Deep understanding of developing media strategies and strong media relationships, especially among Food Beverage reporters/producers/outlets.

• Experience developing and executing programs that have driven tangible results.

•Collaborative spirit, with a strong understanding of how to communicate with teams and the ability to manage internal and external (client) expectations.

• Understand a variety of research tools and techniques and how to turn research – primary and/or secondary – into client insights, strategies and tactics across internal and external channels.

• Comfortable using AI-driven tools and platforms to support research, trend analysis, media targeting, content development, reporting and optimization; curiosity to continuously test and adopt new technologies.

• Stellar communication, writing and presentation skills.

• Self-starter, solution-oriented and an agent of change; Willing to both set strategy, and implement, as needed; displays strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Flexibility to work both independently and in a dynamic, high energy, team-oriented atmosphere.

• Personal drive and passion for the both Food Beverage, as well as the PR industry

• Supportive, inspiring and motivational leader.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR CATAMARAN

We offer excellent compensation, including competitive salaries and bonuses; paid parental leave, holidays and volunteer time off, in addition to ample PTO; comprehensive healthcare, vision, and dental coverage; professional growth and development programs to help advance your career; charitable giving benefit; and a matching 401k. Flat structure, caring culture, high retention rate. 

LOCATION 

NYC metro area or LA-based candidates only. Catamaran currently has a flexible, twice/week in-office requirement for NYC-based employees.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

At Catamaran, we believe that delivering our best and most creative work begins with being accepting of each other. Prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging means actively recognizing and valuing the differences among people, ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all, and fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued and engaged. 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.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this role is $125K-$145K, commensurate with experience.