Manager, Social Media & Integrated Communications

Company Description

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Manager, Social Media and Integrated Communications role located at our corporate headquarters in Bloomington, MN.  This individual contributor role supports all social marketing efforts executed on behalf of the DQ franchisee system including influencer programs and campaigns. Primary marketing touch-points include social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Tik-Tok.  

This Marketing Manager develops franchisee social media support tools, manages franchisee inquiries tied to their local social and digital presence, and swiftly and professionally provides support that empowers franchisees to successfully take action and resolve challenges.

From an integrated communications perspective, the Marketing Manager works alongside agency partners and other team members to develop and execute brand activations and other projects aimed at modernizing the brand and creating social buzz. 

This position reports to the Senior Media Manager and works alongside another Social Media Manager and Marketing Communications team members, and has frequent interaction with Dairy Queen’s Brand Marketing Team members and Social Media Agency of Record.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Social Content Development and Community Management

• Support the development of content strategies to grow engagement with current and new fans.
• Partner with DQ agencies to plan and execute content development, distribution and engagement strategies, customized to the unique aspects and capabilities of social platforms.
• Lead social influencer strategies, selections, and content creation alongside supporting agency to drive modernization of the brand.
• Coordinate social content production initiatives. Manage a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and flawless execution.
• Work with brand, advertising, PR and Fan Relations teams to ensure thoughtful, consistent messaging and communications across social channels and content.
• Contribute insights and drive best practices that ensure strong community management practices, and ultimately help grow communities and engagement rates. 
• Responsible for fans’ day-to-day engagement with DQ communities across key social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat), coordinating a team of specialists at DQ’s social media agency of record and liaising with stakeholders on the DQ Fan Relations team.

Integrated Communication Project Management

• Lead the development and execution of brand activation projects that drive social buzz and earned media opportunities. 
• Coordinate content production initiatives for key projects or social shoots. Manage a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and flawless execution.
•  Leverage strong project management skills to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget. 

Social Local Store Marketing Programs

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to establish processes and develop tools to empower franchisees to manage their Facebook Page, secure and promote content, and oversee employees with day-to-day responsibilities for the social channel.
• Support franchisees in their social media efforts by quickly responding to inquiries and professionally helping operators to resolve challenges.
• Develop franchisee best practices and partner with field marketing to sharpen franchisee engagement and effective utilization of local social media.
• Work closely with other members of the Integrated Marketing Communications team and the larger U.S. Marketing team to support projects aimed at driving franchisee growth.

Strategy, Research &