Marketing Manager - Food Community Builder
Lead Marketing for one of the Bay Area's Most Beloved Food Communities
Are you a brand management professional with a deep love for food culture? Do you have experience leading marketing teams and a track record of building authentic community connections?
Off the Grid is seeking a Marketing Manager to drive our mission of transforming spaces into vibrant food destinations.
For 15 years, we've been the heartbeat of the Bay Area's food scene—from our iconic night markets that launched countless food entrepreneurs to our innovative placemaking initiatives that turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary community experiences.
About Off the Grid
Off the Grid has been at the forefront of building food driven community spaces since 2010. Best known for hosting some of the Bay Area’s biggest recurring night markets, Off the Grid has evolved into a dynamic placemaking platform that unlocks the value of public and private spaces for our customers through blending curated food experiences, temporary event production, and experiential elements. We’re proud to work with hundreds of diverse food entrepreneurs who we empower to maintain focus on their craft and growing their businesses through our public markets and catering events. Our values-centered approach transforms everyday spaces into vibrant destinations, creating meaningful opportunities for small businesses to thrive and communities to connect. By blending culinary diversity, culture, and entertainment, we design unforgettable experiences that celebrate local talent and create the sense of discovery and place that communities of today crave when they work and play.
Your Role: Strategic Marketing Leadership
Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll translate our brand strategy into compelling campaigns that amplify our mission and drive meaningful growth. This isn't just about promoting events—it's about building lasting relationships with food lovers, vendors, and communities.
What You'll Lead
Brand Strategy & Execution
Develop integrated marketing campaigns across our entire product portfolio
Champion brand consistency while telling authentic community stories
Lead and manage a contractor team including content creators, social media specialists, and designers
Create audience-specific strategies that drive customer acquisition and brand awareness
Content & Community Building
Own email marketing, web content, and print materials across customer segments
Create
Drive social media and influencer strategy with editorial oversight
Establish publicity plans for earned media opportunities
Serve as brand ambassador at industry events and community gatherings
Performance & Optimization
Build KPI dashboards to track campaign effectiveness and ROI
Analyze performance data to optimize engagement and storytelling
Manage marketing budgets with focus on sustainable growth
Stay ahead of industry trends and community conversations
Team & Vendor Management
Direct contractor teams to execute campaigns on time and within budget
Ensure external partners align with our brand pillars and values
Manage PR relationships and earned media initiatives
Coordinate with operations teams for seamless event marketing
What We're Looking For
Core Experience
5-7 years in integrated marketing with emphasis on brand management
Proven experience managing marketing teams or contractors
Strong background in multi-channel campaigns (digital, social, email, traditional)
Track record of budget management and ROI optimization
Food Industry Passion
Genuine enthusiasm for food culture and community building
Experience in food & beverage, hospitality, or experiential marketing preferred
Understanding of local food ecosystems and vendor relationships
Appreciation for diverse culinary traditions and entrepreneurs
Technical Skills
Expert-level proficiency in marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Meta Business Suite)
Advanced Google Workspace and project management tools (Asana, Airtable)
Strong copywriting and editorial skills
Data analysis and reporting capabilities
Leadership Qualities
Team management experience with ability to coordinate multiple contractors
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholders
Strategic thinking with hands-on execution abilities
Self-motivated leader who thrives with minimal supervision
What Makes You Stand Out
Brand management mindset with attention to customer journey and brand consistency
Experience building authentic community engagement (not just follower counts)
Background in event marketing or live experience creation
Understanding of small business challenges and opportunities
Passion for supporting diverse entrepreneurs and communities
Why Join Our Team?
Mission-Driven Impact: Your work directly supports food entrepreneurs and builds stronger communities
Leadership Opportunity: Manage contractor teams while working directly with our CEO
Creative Freedom: Shape the narrative of the Bay Area's most iconic food community
Growth Potential: 15 years of success with exciting expansion opportunities
Community Connection: Be at the center of San Francisco's vibrant food scene
Meaningful Work: Help transform spaces and support diverse small businesses
Ready to Build Food Communities?
We're looking for a marketing leader who understands that great brands are built on authentic community connections. If you're passionate about food culture, experienced in team management, and excited about amplifying stories that matter, we want to meet you.
What to Expect:
Location: San Francisco, CA (local candidates only)
Reports to: CEO
Team: Manage contractors across content, social, and design
Schedule: Monday-Friday with some evenings/weekends during events
Travel: Occasional (less than 25%)
This role requires occasional lifting up to 20 pounds and flexibility to work some evenings and weekends during peak event seasons.
Ready to Lead Our Marketing?
If you're a brand management professional with food industry passion and team leadership experience, we'd love to hear how you'll help us continue building the Bay Area's most beloved food community.