Senior Director of Brand Partnerships & Development in Wilmington, North Carolina at Tailwind Deli News & Gifts Inc

Senior Director of Local Brand Partnerships & Development
Reports To: SVP of Operations & Development
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Corporate / Hybrid

Position Summary

Tailwind Hospitality is seeking a highly motivated, relationship-driven Senior Director of Local Brand Partnerships & Development to identify, develop, and cultivate partnerships with outstanding local and regional brands for airport concession opportunities across Tailwind’s growing portfolio.

This position will serve as a key connection between Tailwind Hospitality and the local businesses, restaurants, breweries, coffee concepts, retailers, and entrepreneurs that help create an authentic sense of place within an airport.

The Senior Director of Local Brand Partnerships & Development will research markets where Tailwind currently operates or is pursuing new business, identify concepts that would be strong fits for specific airport opportunities, and build relationships with prospective partners. The individual will work closely with Tailwind’s Business Development, Operations, Marketing, Culinary, Design, and Executive Leadership teams to develop partnerships that can be incorporated into airport proposals and successfully transitioned into operating locations.

The ideal candidate is an outgoing relationship builder who enjoys discovering great local businesses, understands hospitality and branding, and can clearly communicate the benefits of partnering with Tailwind to bring successful local concepts into the airport environment.

Key Responsibilities

Local Brand Identification & Market Research

Research airport markets and surrounding communities to identify successful and emerging local restaurants, bars, breweries, coffee shops, retailers, and other concepts that could complement Tailwind’s airport concession portfolio.

Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential local, regional and national brand partners in both existing and prospective Tailwind markets.

Evaluate potential partners based on brand strength, local recognition, customer appeal, operational compatibility, menu or product offering, reputation, and overall fit for the airport environment.

Stay informed about local hospitality trends, emerging concepts, and brands that can provide airports with a meaningful sense of place.

Partnership Development

Initiate contact and develop relationships with owners, founders, executives, and decision-makers of prospective local brands.

Introduce prospective partners to Tailwind Hospitality, our airport concession model, and the opportunities associated with bringing their brands into an airport environment.

Educate prospective partners on different partnership structures and help determine an approach that works for both Tailwind and the local brand.

Develop long-term relationships with prospective partners, recognizing that opportunities may develop over multiple months or years.

Serve as a trusted point of contact between Tailwind and local brand partners throughout the initial development process.

Airport Proposal & Business Development Support

Work closely with Tailwind's Business Development team to understand upcoming airport RFPs, concession opportunities, available spaces, and desired concept categories.

Identify and recruit local brands specifically suited to individual airport opportunities.

Coordinate with partners to obtain information needed for proposals, including brand history, photographs, menus, logos, marketing materials, letters of support, and other supporting documentation.

Assist in developing compelling partnership narratives demonstrating how proposed concepts provide local authenticity and a strong sense of place.

Participate in airport presentations, interviews, site visits, and partner meetings when appropriate.

Partnership Structuring & Coordination

Work with Tailwind leadership to help develop mutually beneficial partnership structures, including licensing, royalty, joint venture, operating, or other appropriate arrangements.

Assist in communicating expectations regarding brand standards, menu and product offerings, marketing, design, training, and ongoing brand involvement.

Coordinate with Tailwind leadership and appropriate legal and financial resources as partnerships move toward formal agreements.

Maintain organized records of partnership discussions, opportunities, agreements, and follow-up requirements.

Internal Collaboration

Partner closely with Tailwind's Business Development, Operations, Marketing, Culinary, Design, Project Management, and Executive Leadership teams.

Provide internal teams with background and insight regarding prospective local partners and their brands.

Help transition relationships from the business development stage into design, construction, opening, and ongoing operations.

Continue supporting partner relationships after opening to ensure strong communication between Tailwind and its local brand partners.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Experience in business development, hospitality, restaurants, retail, franchising, licensing, partnerships, commercial real estate, airport concessions, or a related field.
• An understanding of restaurant, retail, and hospitality brands and what makes a concept successful.
• Strong research and networking skills with the ability to identify influential local brands and decision-makers.
• The ability to comfortably approach business owners, entrepreneurs, and senior executives and develop relationships from an initial introduction.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills with the ability to manage numerous potential partnerships simultaneously.
• The ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and manage projects through different stages of development.
• Willingness and ability to travel to airport markets throughout Tailwind's portfolio and prospective markets.

Airport concession experience is beneficial but not required. Experience developing restaurant, retail, franchise, licensing, or strategic brand partnerships would be particularly valuable.

Position Objective

The ultimate objective of the Director of Local Brand Partnerships & Development is to build a strong and continually expanding network of local and regional brand partners that differentiates Tailwind Hospitality's airport concession programs and strengthens our ability to win and successfully operate airport opportunities.

This individual will help Tailwind bring the best of each community into the airport—combining the authenticity and recognition of successful local brands with Tailwind Hospitality's experience developing and operating airport concessions.

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

Employees in this position are required to adhere to any job-related instructions and perform any additional duties assigned by authorized personnel. The requirements outlined in this document represent the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities necessary for this role.

This document does not establish an employment contract, either explicit or implied, other than maintaining an "at-will" relationship.

Tailwind Concessions is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require any accommodations during the application process, please contact our HR department at recruiter@tailwindconcessions.com.