Community Engagement Manager

Description

Here at Hawkers, we don’t just serve food – we serve adventure. Our brand is built on the late-night street markets of Asia, crafted with the same heat, hustle, and heart that inspired our founders to open the first Hawkers in 2011. With 15 (and growing) locations across the Southeast, Hawkers is a celebration of culture, connection, and the electric energy of the streets that raised us. 

As we grow, we’re doubling down on what makes us special: bold flavors, bold people, and bold community. We don’t want to just exist in our local neighborhoods – we want to be part of the DNA. That’s where you come in. 

The Role: 

The Hawkers Community Engagement Manager thrives at the crossroads of culture, connection, and creativity. Someone who sees a neighborhood not just as a zip code, but as an ecosystem full of partnerships waiting to happen, stories waiting to be told, and communities craving a brand that shows up for them. 

In this role, you’ll be the ultimate connector: part storyteller, part strategist, part local hype squad. You’ll shape how Hawkers shows up in every market, from grassroots activations to local collabs to the “wait, Hawkers did WHAT?!” moments that take our community relationships to the next level. 

If you love adventure, community, food, and the magic that happens when they all blend – you’ll feel right at home here. 

Requirements

•  Design and lead community engagement strategies for each Hawkers location, rooted in local insight, aligned with brand initiatives, and full of Hawkers’ unique brand personality.
• Build and nurture partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, schools, creators, and organizations that amplify our community contribution. 
• Plan and execute grassroots activations, events, sponsorships, and neighborhood moments that build awareness and drive traffic. 
• Support new restaurant openings with pre-launch buzz, neighborhood outreach, and customized community programming. 
• Work closely with field restaurant leaders to inspire and empower in-restaurant teams to build their own local relationships and community muscle. 
• Track performance of local initiatives using engagement KPIs, event ROI, sales & traffic trends, and community sentiment. 
• Stay on top of real market insights – cultural trends, neighborhood needs, and new partnership opportunities – to help shape brand strategy. 
• Support the VP of Marketing and collaborate with other departments and team members to align community engagement initiatives with brand-wide objectives.

What You Bring to the Table:

• 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, local marketing, partnerships, field marketing, or related roles.
• A natural connector with exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for supporting local communities. 
• Creative, curious, and culturally tuned in. You’re the person who always knows what’s happening in the neighborhood. 
• Strong project management and communication skills. You can juggle multiple markets without losing the details. 
• Experience in hospitality or restaurants is a big plus, but it’s not required. However, a passion for food, culture, and adventure absolutely IS required. 
• Willingness to travel up to 75% of the time to support regional initiatives across various markets.
• Flexibility to be based in any market where Hawkers has a restaurant location.

What We Bring to the Table: 

• A chance to shape how a fast-growing and bold brand shows up in every neighborhood we serve. 
• A creative, high-energy environment that values bold ideas and community-first thinking. 
• Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful opportunities for growth. 
• The unmatched joy of seeing your work spark connections, build buzz, and create memories that people treasure forever. 

Physical Demands:

• Frequent travel to restaurant locations, community events, and field marketing activities.
• Ability to lift/carry promotional materials up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to stand, walk, and engage with the public for extended periods during events.