Role Overview
We are looking for a Senior Account Manager, F&B to join PURPLE’s Lifestyle division – a commercially minded, culturally literate operator who lives and breathes restaurants and drinks brands. This role is not a generic hospitality PR position. It is for someone who understands that modern F&B brands sit at the intersection of food, culture, design, and entertainment, and who can translate that into sharp, strategic communications programmes.
You will own day‑to‑day delivery across a portfolio of restaurant and drinks clients, spanning independent founder/chef‑led concepts through to corporate‑backed, multi‑site and global groups. You will be equally comfortable pitching a buzzy opening in Shoreditch as shaping narrative for an international drinks brand with board‑level stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Client Management & Delivery
o Own the day‑to‑day management of a group of F&B accounts, ensuring programmes are delivered to the highest standards.
o Act as the primary client contact, building trusted relationships with founders, chefs, marketing leads and corporate stakeholders.
o Lead weekly and monthly reporting, demonstrating not just outputs but outcomes and commercial impact.
* Media & Influencer Engagement
o Maintain a deep and up‑to‑date knowledge of the UK and key European media landscape across national newspapers, luxury lifestyle and culture magazines, trade and drinks press, influential Substacks and newsletters, podcasters, influencers, KOLs and industry insiders.
o Build and nurture relationships with key restaurant critics, drinks writers, food editors, and cultural commentators.
o Develop smart, targeted media strategies that go beyond volume to drive brand relevance and commercial impact.
* Campaign & Cultural Programming
o Contribute to culture‑led storytelling that positions clients as part of the wider creative conversation – not just places to eat.
o Identify collaborations, talent partnerships and cultural moments that align with brand positioning.
o Support on launches, seasonal campaigns, partnerships and programming.
o Work closely with internal teams to ensure F&B clients benefit from cross‑sector thinking (Fashion, Beauty, VIP, Entertainment, Lifestyle).
* Commercial & Operational Excellence
o Manage scopes accurately and monitor team time against retainers.
o Contribute to new business pitches with F&B market insight, competitor analysis and creative ideas.
o Mentor and develop Account Executives and Account Managers, ensuring high standards of delivery.
Skills & Experience
* 4–6+ years’ experience in restaurant and/or drinks PR (agency preferred).
* Demonstrable experience working on both independent, founder/chef‑led concepts and more structured, corporate‑backed groups.
* Strong working knowledge of the UK F&B media market, with understanding of key European titles and tastemakers.
* Proven ability to secure high‑quality coverage across consumer, luxury and trade media.
* Excellent written skills – confident drafting press materials that feel informed, intelligent and culturally aware.
* Commercially literate: understands how PR activity supports bookings, covers, launches and brand equity.
* Proven experience managing and developing junior team members, setting clear expectations, maintaining high standards of output, and creating accountability across accounts.
* Desirable:
o Experience working with premium or luxury dining brands.
o Exposure to multi‑market or international campaigns.
Cultural Fit
* Wants to win – ambitious, driven and outcome‑focused.
* Obsessed with their craft – genuinely passionate about strategy and ideas.
* Curious beyond their job – plugged into culture, media, and the wider world.
* Cares about the work – high standards, detail‑driven, and proud of what they produce.
* Great to be around – thoughtful, socially intelligent and collaborative.
* Glass half full – solutions‑led, constructive and energising.
* Relationship‑rich – building trust quickly and contributing positively to the culture.
#J-18808-Ljbffr