Noodles & Company

Broomfield, Colorado-based Noodles & Company is a fast-growing, high-performing, fast casual restaurant company. We serve made-to-order noodles, salads and sandwiches from around the world. With nearly 240 restaurants across the country and plans to open 25-30 new restaurants this year, we’re thriving while others are surviving.

We have big plans, including evolving our 15 year old brand and growing stronger. We are in the process of creating a whole new look and feel, moving our brand from “cute” to “cool” and are really taking a fresh look at everything we do. You would be on the ground floor helping us develop this new brand and have the opportunity to help us shape our strategy and direction. We have a passionate, dynamic and high-energy team with lots of experience …and we like to have fun too and believe in a balanced life. So if you are part of a big agency and are tired of sleeping next to your BlackBerry, read on.

As the Creative Project Manager you would be in a lynchpin position serving as ‘air traffic control’ and working directly with our creative, production, franchise and marketing teams. Basically you have your hands in almost everything. You’ll serve as the main coordinating authority to achieve the often disparate needs of all the participants. Your job is to make it all happen, get the planes in on time and make all the customers happy and love us. It ain’t easy, but people love it when they get there.

WHAT YOU WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
• Overseeing the creative process from conception, to creation, to implementation
• Managing the creative work order process including developing creative work orders, managing timelines and meeting deadlines
• Providing overall project management on all creative jobs and hosting weekly meetings to update internal teams
• Working directly with our designers and copywriters on project direction, requirements and changes
• Assisting with copywriting and layout direction
• Reviewing and presenting concepts/layouts/copy to internal teams
• Coordinating with our production manager to ensure jobs are produced efficiently, effectively and on time
• Working closely with our director of marketing and director of communications on creative, media and communications strategy and implementation
• Because we’re in rebuilding mode, we have a very fast-paced environment, with loose direction. So we’re looking for self-directed people who can figure out what needs to be done and then make it happen

THE TYPE OF PERSON WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
• You’re a planner – You love tight lug nuts. You’re good at managing the details and making sure they get followed through
• You’re flexible – Someone who knows how to deal with multiple, often conflicting priorities, and can bring calm to chaos. An even keel. You can deal with changing priorities and adapt on the fly
• You’re resourceful– Someone who is proactive, not reactive. You can look at a spreadsheet and figure out what needs to be done, not needing to be told what to do. You have the experience to know what works and what doesn’t
• You’re a leader – Someone with great common sense, emotional maturity and an ability to get people excited. You are someone who commands respect, not demands it. You’re self motivated and don’t need to be told what to do
• You’re creative –We don’t want to do what everyone else does; we want to blaze a new trail. We look for someone who knows how to do a lot with a little and knows how to create a brand that people want to be part of
• You’re a team player – We’re in the restaurant business, all of us. So we expect that when you’re in a restaurant, you’re part of the team, willing to jump in and help out any way you can. You grab a rag, bus a table, talk to customers and help out our team members on the front line
• You’re fun – We have a fun, smart brand. We’re looking for someone like that to

YOUR BACKGROUND & ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• You have a four-year college degree in advertising, marketing, communications or other relevant field
• You have 3-8 years experience on the agency side or client side in a similar position. Bonus points if you have restaurant or retail experience
• You know all about marketing and advertising, with a proven understanding of all areas: print, radio, outdoor, direct mail, web, PR, etc. We don’t do any TV right now, but if you have that experience, great
• You are an excellent and clear communicator – verbally and in writing
• You are super duper organized and can help us get organized
• You understand and love food
• You’re a good person