Community Relations Manager

We are a family owned company growing two fantastic brands....We have two roles available in Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC.

Base pay plus bonus potential as well as 100% covered medical and dental insurance.

Role Overview

The Community Relations Manager drives local brand presence, community engagement, and business growth for Canal Coffee Co. and HiTONE Fitness by building authentic relationships and activating partnerships at the local level.

This role bridges Marketing and Operations, working closely with Store Managers and Club Directors to open doors in the community, generate trial and traffic, and execute initiatives that strengthen brand presence and performance.

This role is ideal for a relationship-driven, results-minded leader who thrives in the field, enjoys representing growing, family-owned brands, and understands how to leverage relationships and revenue-generating marketing initiatives that result in measurable sales growth at the store/fitness club level.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Execute community engagement priorities with the Community Relations team and in alignment with corporate focus areas.
• Serve as a local ambassador, representing company values, priorities, and local operations leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, schools, and youth organizations, wellness providers, chambers of commerce, and community organizations.
• Represent the brands at community events, pop-ups, sponsorships, and local activations with warmth, professionalism, and credibility.
• Provide structured feedback from the field to inform campaign and partnerships strategy.

Local Support & In-Market Activations

· Partner with Store Managers and Club Directors to support approved events and local activations.

· Plan and execute approved outreach and campaigns that drive customer acquisition, repeat visits, and delighted customer experiences.

· Reinforce community engagement best practices and coach local teams in partnership with brand leaders.

· Support timely, on-brand execution of promotions and local initiatives that reflect Canal’s quality products and fast, reliable service.

· Serve as a liaison between central marketing and local teams to align plans and execution in support of consistent, exceptional customer experiences.

· Develop foundational barista skills and fitness fundamentals to support on-site activations as needed.

Sales & Business Development

· Drive local B2B and community initiatives that generate awareness, trial, and foot traffic for Canal Coffee Co. and HiTONE Fitness locations.

· Identify and develop partnerships that introduce individuals and groups to HiTONE’s proven methods and philosophy through trials, events, and corporate wellness outreach, and generate catering, bulk, and recurring programs (deliveries) for Canal Coffee Co.

· Collaborate with Store Managers and Club Directors to activate high-impact local sales opportunities.

· For HiTONE Fitness, this role is responsible for generating interest, trial, and group membership opportunities. Final membership consultation and enrollment are led by the Club Director, who brings deeper expertise in individual fitness assessment, programming, and long-term results.

Marketing Collaboration

• Partner with the Marketing team to align local activations with brand standards and campaign priorities.
• Coordinate distribution and use of local marketing materials and assets.
• Share field insights that inform brand strategy and campaign refinement based on real-world community response.

Reporting & Performance Tracking

· Track and report on community initiatives, partnerships, and their impact on traffic and revenue. Share insights that help leadership see how community effort turns into business momentum.

· Deliver post-event recaps to capture learnings and inform improvement.

· Partner with the Community Relations Director to evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements.

· Maintain organized records of partnerships, leads, activities, and outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• 2–5 years of experience in community marketing, field marketing and sales, brand activation, or business development
• Experience executing centrally planned initiatives across multiple locations
• Strong B2B sales experience preferred
• Experience working with retail, food & beverage, hospitality, or multi-location brands a plus
• Proven ability to build relationships that lead to measurable business results
• Comfortable working independently in the field while collaborating cross-functionally
• Strong interpersonal presence, highly organized, with disciplined follow-through and time-management abilities
• Excellent communication, follow-up, and presentation skills
• Willingness to travel locally between locations and community events
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Key Competencies for Success

• Relationship-first mindset with a sales-driven approach and genuine customer connection
• Self-starter with high energy and accountability
• Comfortable initiating conversations and closing opportunities
• Ability to translate community engagement into revenue
• Passion for local communities and representing a growing brand

What Success Looks Like

Community & Brand Presence

· Strong, trusted relationships in each location’s surrounding community

· Increased store-level traffic driven by local partnerships and marketing efforts

· Deliver consistently positive experiences for customers and partners that reflect brand values

Revenue & Growth

· Growth in new revenue streams (e.g., catering, bulk, recurring B2B sales)

· Conversion of community-led partnerships and activations into closed HiTONE Fitness memberships and new Canal business

· Consistent generation of qualified leads, group opportunities, and trial participation for HiTONE Fitness

Execution & Accountability

· Consistent, timely execution of and tracking for approved campaigns

· Store Managers and Club Directors empowered to engage locally and drive revenue

· Dependable and accurate internal and external communication.

Eligible for a performance-based bonus tied to closed HiTONE Fitness memberships and new Canal business that originate from Community Relations Manager–led partnerships, group initiatives, or community activations.

Why Canal Coffee Co. and HiTONE Fitness

Canal Coffee Co. is a fast-growing brand rooted in consistency, culture, and connection. HiTONE Fitness is an exclusive, members-only, family-oriented health club that solves real problems by providing personalized training, accountability, and a supportive community to help people feel better, move better, and achieve lasting results. Our family-owned businesses believe strong local relationships drive long-term success. This role sits where brand meets growth and community turns into lasting business momentum. If you want to build something visible, measurable, and enduring, this role matters.