Senior Manager of Public Relations & Community Impact
Cooper's Hawk Winery, Downers Grove, IL, United States
Ready to be part of something extraordinary? At Cooper’s Hawk, connection is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re looking for passionate people to join us. When you become part of our team, you step into a collaborative, supportive culture built on Uncompromising Hospitality, where standards and genuine care come together to create something truly unforgettable. As we continue our exciting journey, you’ll help us deliver unforgettable experiences to our Wine Club Members and the entire Cooper’s Hawk community. Join us, and let’s turn moments into lasting memories.
The Senior Manager, PR & Community Impact owns and stewards Cooper’s Hawk’s brand reputation, shaping how the brand is experienced, trusted, and talked about at both the national and local level. This role is responsible for strategy, outreach, results, and reporting—driving positive brand perception through strategic media relations, authentic influencer partnerships, compelling storytelling, and meaningful community engagement. As Cooper’s Hawk grows, this role ensures the brand continues to feel welcoming, values-driven, and culturally relevant.
This is a senior, leader-and-doer role for a hands-on communications professional with strong judgment and instincts. The Senior Manager translates brand strategy into earned visibility and measurable impact, builds credibility with media and community partners, and serves as a trusted advisor to internal leaders during both high-visibility moments and more complex situations. Above all, this role helps ensure Cooper’s Hawk scales without losing its soul, strengthening trust with guests, Wine Club Members, team members, and the communities we serve.
How You Will Succeed: Media Relations & Earned Coverage
Cultivate strong relationships with journalists, editors, bloggers, and influencers across food, wine, travel, lifestyle, business, and culture.
Lead proactive earned media outreach while ensuring timely, accurate, and professional response to inbound media inquiries.
Secure meaningful earned media coverage that enhances credibility, guest interest, and long-term brand equity.
Act as the primary external media contact, managing inquiries with professionalism, speed, and sound judgment.
Content, Storytelling & Editorial Strategy
Lead development of press releases, media kits, executive messaging, and brand narratives.
Identify and develop culturally relevant, seasonal storytelling opportunities across wine, food, and experiences that align with media interests throughout the year.
Translate Wine of the Month programs, seasonal menus, and experiential moments into editorial story angles that resonate with lifestyle and food media.
Develop clear, concise PR reporting and coverage recaps to inform stakeholders and track progress against brand and reputation goals.
Maintain a consistent, authentic brand voice across all external communications.
Crisis Communications & Issues Management
Lead external crisis communications planning and execution, including reactive media response and reputation management.
Partner with Legal, Operations, HR, and Executive Leadership to ensure accurate, timely, and aligned communications.
Monitor public sentiment and media coverage to proactively identify and manage potential risks to brand perception.
Events, Market Openings & Community Engagement
Lead PR strategy and execution for new restaurant openings and key brand moments, ensuring each market launch feels locally rooted, thoughtfully executed, and true to the Cooper’s Hawk experience.
Plan and execute press events, tastings, VIP experiences, and community-facing activations that drive local relevance and brand goodwill.
Build and maintain relationships with top tier media, chambers of commerce, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, and community organizations.
Represent Cooper’s Hawk confidently and professionally in external-facing settings.
Partner with social media manager on influencer programs including hosted experiences, tastings, events, and longer-term partnerships.
Manage media and influencer product sampling and dine experiences, including coordination, reservations, shipments and follow-up to maximize coverage opportunities.
Leadership, Operations & Trend Insight
Lead, coach, and develop others while setting clear expectations and maintaining high standards of quality and execution.
Act as a player–coach, remaining deeply hands-on in writing, pitching, event execution, and media engagement.
Lead end-to-end planning and execution of PR initiatives, managing timelines, partners, budgets, and deliverables across multiple markets.
Monitor cultural, food, wine, and hospitality trends and translate insight into action—keeping the brand relevant without chasing what doesn’t fit.
What You Will Bring:
7+ years of progressive experience in public relations, communications, or brand reputation roles, preferably within an agency and/or hospitality, food & beverage, travel, or lifestyle brands.
Proven leader and doer with experience owning strategy, execution, results, and reporting while managing and developing others.
Demonstrated ability to provide sound judgment and strategic counsel to senior leaders, particularly in high-visibility or reputationally complex situations.
Strong editorial instincts with the ability to translate products, programs, and experiences into culturally relevant stories.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong editorial judgment and executive presence.
Strong operational rigor, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to support time-sensitive issues or high-visibility moments outside standard business hours when needed.
Ability to travel up to 25%, over weekends to support new restaurant openings.
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
Passion for hospitality, wine, food culture, and building brands people genuinely love.
Compensation Range $110,000 - $130,000 plus bonus. The final offered salary will be based on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s depth of experience, skill set, qualifications, and internal pay equity.
What You Will Get:
Incredible Discounts:
Monthly Dining Allowance
50% Dining and Carryout
40% Retail Wine
20% Retail and Private Events
Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance plus Telemedicine and Wellness Program
Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Flexible Savings Accounts – Health and Dependent Care
Health Savings Account
Long-Term Disability; Voluntary Short-Term Disability
Basic Life and AD & D Insurance (with option to purchase additional coverage)
Paid Parental Leave
Highly Competitive Pay plus Team Member Incentives & Rewards
Paid Time Off
Milestones Recognition Program
Complimentary Gym Membership in RSC Building
Hybrid Work Week (3 days in office, 2 days remote, depending on role)
Cooper’s Hawk is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Cooper’s Hawk makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process.
The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. The Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply.
About Us Cooper's Hawk features a Napa-style tasting room with wine-inspired retail for entertaining and a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space, offering a modern-yet-casual dining experience. Each scratch-kitchen menu item is designed to pair with our wines. Speaking of wine...the Cooper's Hawk Wine Club is perhaps the largest in the world, offering not only top-notch award-winning wines but also exclusive Wine Club membership benefits, including curated dining and travel experiences. Since 2005, we've brought the Napa Valley experience to our guests and Wine Club members, and now, with Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, we’re bringing the vibrant flavors of Rome to them as well. Together, we’re creating a lifestyle brand like no other.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Senior Manager, PR & Community Impact owns and stewards Cooper’s Hawk’s brand reputation, shaping how the brand is experienced, trusted, and talked about at both the national and local level. This role is responsible for strategy, outreach, results, and reporting—driving positive brand perception through strategic media relations, authentic influencer partnerships, compelling storytelling, and meaningful community engagement. As Cooper’s Hawk grows, this role ensures the brand continues to feel welcoming, values-driven, and culturally relevant.
This is a senior, leader-and-doer role for a hands-on communications professional with strong judgment and instincts. The Senior Manager translates brand strategy into earned visibility and measurable impact, builds credibility with media and community partners, and serves as a trusted advisor to internal leaders during both high-visibility moments and more complex situations. Above all, this role helps ensure Cooper’s Hawk scales without losing its soul, strengthening trust with guests, Wine Club Members, team members, and the communities we serve.
How You Will Succeed: Media Relations & Earned Coverage
Cultivate strong relationships with journalists, editors, bloggers, and influencers across food, wine, travel, lifestyle, business, and culture.
Lead proactive earned media outreach while ensuring timely, accurate, and professional response to inbound media inquiries.
Secure meaningful earned media coverage that enhances credibility, guest interest, and long-term brand equity.
Act as the primary external media contact, managing inquiries with professionalism, speed, and sound judgment.
Content, Storytelling & Editorial Strategy
Lead development of press releases, media kits, executive messaging, and brand narratives.
Identify and develop culturally relevant, seasonal storytelling opportunities across wine, food, and experiences that align with media interests throughout the year.
Translate Wine of the Month programs, seasonal menus, and experiential moments into editorial story angles that resonate with lifestyle and food media.
Develop clear, concise PR reporting and coverage recaps to inform stakeholders and track progress against brand and reputation goals.
Maintain a consistent, authentic brand voice across all external communications.
Crisis Communications & Issues Management
Lead external crisis communications planning and execution, including reactive media response and reputation management.
Partner with Legal, Operations, HR, and Executive Leadership to ensure accurate, timely, and aligned communications.
Monitor public sentiment and media coverage to proactively identify and manage potential risks to brand perception.
Events, Market Openings & Community Engagement
Lead PR strategy and execution for new restaurant openings and key brand moments, ensuring each market launch feels locally rooted, thoughtfully executed, and true to the Cooper’s Hawk experience.
Plan and execute press events, tastings, VIP experiences, and community-facing activations that drive local relevance and brand goodwill.
Build and maintain relationships with top tier media, chambers of commerce, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, and community organizations.
Represent Cooper’s Hawk confidently and professionally in external-facing settings.
Partner with social media manager on influencer programs including hosted experiences, tastings, events, and longer-term partnerships.
Manage media and influencer product sampling and dine experiences, including coordination, reservations, shipments and follow-up to maximize coverage opportunities.
Leadership, Operations & Trend Insight
Lead, coach, and develop others while setting clear expectations and maintaining high standards of quality and execution.
Act as a player–coach, remaining deeply hands-on in writing, pitching, event execution, and media engagement.
Lead end-to-end planning and execution of PR initiatives, managing timelines, partners, budgets, and deliverables across multiple markets.
Monitor cultural, food, wine, and hospitality trends and translate insight into action—keeping the brand relevant without chasing what doesn’t fit.
What You Will Bring:
7+ years of progressive experience in public relations, communications, or brand reputation roles, preferably within an agency and/or hospitality, food & beverage, travel, or lifestyle brands.
Proven leader and doer with experience owning strategy, execution, results, and reporting while managing and developing others.
Demonstrated ability to provide sound judgment and strategic counsel to senior leaders, particularly in high-visibility or reputationally complex situations.
Strong editorial instincts with the ability to translate products, programs, and experiences into culturally relevant stories.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong editorial judgment and executive presence.
Strong operational rigor, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to support time-sensitive issues or high-visibility moments outside standard business hours when needed.
Ability to travel up to 25%, over weekends to support new restaurant openings.
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
Passion for hospitality, wine, food culture, and building brands people genuinely love.
Compensation Range $110,000 - $130,000 plus bonus. The final offered salary will be based on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s depth of experience, skill set, qualifications, and internal pay equity.
What You Will Get:
Incredible Discounts:
Monthly Dining Allowance
50% Dining and Carryout
40% Retail Wine
20% Retail and Private Events
Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance plus Telemedicine and Wellness Program
Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Flexible Savings Accounts – Health and Dependent Care
Health Savings Account
Long-Term Disability; Voluntary Short-Term Disability
Basic Life and AD & D Insurance (with option to purchase additional coverage)
Paid Parental Leave
Highly Competitive Pay plus Team Member Incentives & Rewards
Paid Time Off
Milestones Recognition Program
Complimentary Gym Membership in RSC Building
Hybrid Work Week (3 days in office, 2 days remote, depending on role)
Cooper’s Hawk is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Cooper’s Hawk makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process.
The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. The Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply.
About Us Cooper's Hawk features a Napa-style tasting room with wine-inspired retail for entertaining and a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space, offering a modern-yet-casual dining experience. Each scratch-kitchen menu item is designed to pair with our wines. Speaking of wine...the Cooper's Hawk Wine Club is perhaps the largest in the world, offering not only top-notch award-winning wines but also exclusive Wine Club membership benefits, including curated dining and travel experiences. Since 2005, we've brought the Napa Valley experience to our guests and Wine Club members, and now, with Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, we’re bringing the vibrant flavors of Rome to them as well. Together, we’re creating a lifestyle brand like no other.
#J-18808-Ljbffr