Inspire Brands is seeking a strategic and innovative Director, Influencer Strategy and Excellence, to lead the development and implementation of a centralized Influencer Center of Excellence (CoE) supporting all six of our iconic QSR brands: Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and Sonic. This leader will partner closely with individual brand social and influencer teams to establish a unified influencer vision, streamline execution, drive innovation, and position Inspire as a best-in-class leader in influencer marketing across the restaurant industry. The director will establish a centralized hub to streamline and optimize influencer marketing efforts at Inspire, and will quarterback the channel of work, identify synergies and overlaps, conduct thorough brand safety guidelines and best practices, and implement robust standardized measurement frameworks to assess campaign effectiveness.

The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist and operator — someone who understands both the art of creator partnerships and the science of scalable, data-driven influencer programs. This role is critical to amplifying our brand storytelling, deepening consumer connections, and driving cultural relevance at scale. This role reports to the VP, Brand PR & Influencer Strategy (Inspire Brands). Based in Atlanta.

Responsibilities:

• Build and lead Inspire’s Influencer Center of Excellence (CoE): Define the mission, structure, and capabilities of the CoE to support brand-specific influencer programs.

• Develop and evolve influencer strategy: Create a clear influencer vision aligned with Inspire’s business objectives, ensuring consistency, innovation, and cultural relevance across all brands.

• Establish shared frameworks and best practices: Standardize influencer identification, vetting, contracting, measurement, and reporting. Create toolkits, training, and governance to drive operational efficiency and brand safety.

• Partner with brand social and influencer teams: Collaborate closely with each brand’s marketing, social, and PR leads to ensure influencer efforts are on-brand, on-strategy, and tailored to each brand’s unique voice and audience.

• Innovate in influencer content and activations: Guide – through support of agency selection, best practice sharing, and overarching strategic thinking - the creation of breakthrough campaigns, always-on partnerships, and creator-led initiatives that drive engagement and earned reach.

• Oversee platform, agency, and partner relationships: Manage Inspire-wide relationships with influencer platforms, creator marketplaces, and influencer agencies to maximize performance and cost-effectiveness.

• Lead influencer measurement and reporting: Develop unified KPIs across all brands and provide ongoing performance dashboards and insights that inform strategy and investment decisions.

Requirements:

• 4 Year Degree in Communications, Marketing or related field

• 8-12 years of experience in influencer marketing, social media, digital brand strategy, or related field; QSR, retail, or CPG industry experience preferred

• Deep understanding of the creator economy and social platform ecosystems (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) as well as familiarity with agency options (Influential, Shout, etc.)

• Proven track record of building or leading scalable influencer programs for large brands or across multiple portfolios

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels

• Experience working cross-functionally with brand, comms, legal, agency, and paid media teams, as well as managing agencies

• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate performance data into actionable insights

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

• Obsessed with culture, emerging trends, shaping brands people love, and finding ways to be authentic and relevant in big moments

• Operational discipline – ability to lead from idea to execution - manage details on tight timing, key contact for go-to-market execution, budget management, leadership communications, etc.

• Creative mindset grounded in strategy – a desire to constantly challenge the norm with bold, original ideas that will build the brand and business

 

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.