Senior Partnerships Manager

Company Profile

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

This role is hybrid in Washington, D.C. or New York City only.

• Generosity First, Always:
  We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.
• Constant Curiosity:
  We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.
• Act with Agility:
  We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.
• Passion for Positivity:
  We greet each day with warmth and possibility.
• Collective Ambition:
  We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

As Senior Manager, Marketing Partnerships, you will lead the strategy and execution of CAVA’s partnerships across sports, lifestyle, music, gaming, entertainment, and brand collaborations. This role will shape how CAVA shows up in culture, driving awareness, affinity, and impact, while maximizing key business KPIs.

• Lead CAVA’s partnership strategy including:
• Develop and own CAVA’s marketing partnership roadmap in alignment with our mission, values, and brand objectives.
• Identify, vet, and secure partnerships with athletes, celebrities, creators, gamers, musicians, and brand collaborators.
• Build a tiered portfolio approach that balances high-visibility partnerships with scalable grassroots opportunities.
• Execute and Activate partnerships:
• Negotiate and manage partnership contracts, budgets, and deliverables.
• Lead cross-functional planning across the Experience (marketing, digital, catering, PR, social) team as well as Culinary, Operations and Legal to bring partnerships to life.
• Oversee partnership integration in creative and campaign content, activations and events
• Measure and Optimize for drive scale and efficiencies:
• Define success metrics and analyze performance of partnerships to optimize ROI and brand impact.
• Share insights and recommendations with senior leadership.
• Build Relationships
• Serve as the point of contact for partners and agencies, ensuring seamless communication and execution and passionately representing CAVA.
• Cultivate relationships across industries to stay ahead of cultural trends and opportunities.

• 7–10 years of experience in marketing partnerships, brand collaborations, talent management, or related fields.
• Proven success in developing and activating partnerships across athletes, entertainment, or lifestyle brands.
• Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• A creative and strategic thinker with a pulse on cultural trends—especially in food, sports, music, gaming, and entertainment.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Passionate about food, community, and building culturally relevant brands.
• Strong project management skills — with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across priorities
• Passion for cultural marketing, community building, and hospitality
• Deep understanding of integrated marketing, partnership development, and event execution
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator, with experience managing internal stakeholders and external partners
• Experience building strategic plans with measurable outcomes and actionable reporting
• Ability to move with agility and pivot when needed to maximize business and brand performance
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field required

This role is hybrid in Washington, D.C. or New York City only.

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
• For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
• Constantly positions self and move about to…