Brand Innovation Manager (Service Innovation)

Summary of Job Description:

The Brand Innovation Manager (Service Innovation) to responsible for shaping guest-centric, brand-driven experiences through strategic innovation and cross-functional leadership. This position combines data-driven insights, trend analysis, and creative storytelling to design intuitive in-store journeys, hospitality standards, and service rituals that deepen guest connection. The Brand Innovation Manager oversees experience design elements, such as wayfinding systems, menu board strategy, and navigational signage while driving alignment across teams. The position defines the future of in-store experience by uniting experience strategy, hospitality, concept storytelling, and operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities:

• Builds inspiring, insight- and data-driven experience and concept storytelling strategies to meet evolving guest expectations and deepen guest connection. Translates guest needs, behaviors and journeys into innovation opportunities and scalable in-store experiences.
• Tracks, decodes and activates emerging service innovation and experiential trends, competitor insights and brand learnings.
• Develops future-forward hospitality guidelines and service rituals that are grounded in brand vision, guest insights, missions and motivations.
• Creates intuitive way-finding systems and supporting navigational & instructional signage that supports guest missions, reduces friction and amplifies brand personality; Partners with Design and Operations to bring clarity, simplicity and consistency to every store touchpoint.
• Owns menu board strategy, design and management to balance clarity, brand voice, guest needs and business strategy; Collaborates with Design, Culinary and Operations to enhance decision-making and drive guest value.
• Partners with and/or leads cross-functional innovation teams across Operations, Design, Marketing, Insights, Culinary, Supply Chain Management, Information Services, Finance and Leadership; Drives alignment and advocacy for initiatives
• Defines and activates thoughtful, people-centered change strategies that bring innovations to life across the organization; Partners with Operations, Learning & Development and Marketing teams to craft storytelling that ensures smooth adoption and organizational readiness
• Conducts consumer research and business analytics to validate, inform, and optimize innovation strategy; Captures and activates past product learnings and operational understanding; Delivers insights and data to Design and Operations for successful commercialization and launch.

How we reward you:

• Hybrid Work schedule
• 401K with company match
• Yearly bonus opportunity*
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *
• On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic
• Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships
• Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*
• Continuous education assistance and scholarships*
• Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*
• Bereavement leave*

*Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates

Your background & experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field required; MBA preferred
• 5+ years of directly applicable marketing experience, preferably in a nationally branded retail/hospitality environment with increasing managerial experience
• Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.
• Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.

Pay Range: M2: $112,500 - $158,000 / Annual

* Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

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Panda Strong since 1983:

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it’s impacting our team or the communities we work in, we’re proud to be an organization that embraces family values.

You’re wanted here:

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com.