Brand Ambassador - Lingua Franca

Job Description

Position Overview:

As a Brand Ambassador for Lingua Franca, you will play a pivotal role in promoting the brand, driving sales, and educating the market. You will represent Lingua Franca at key events, tastings, and selling activities while collaborating closely with the marketing, strategy and enablement, and sales teams. You'll be responsible for increasing brand awareness, consumer loyalty, and overall sales through strategic engagement. This role requires a passion for wine and a proven ability to influence and inspire both customers and industry professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brand Representation & Event Participation: Travel 50-70% of the time to represent the brand at key industry events, wine tastings, trade shows, and consumer-facing promotions.
• Sales and Promotion: Drive sales by engaging with consumers, retailers, distributors, and restaurant professionals at events, tasting rooms, and sales meetings. Ensure effective product education and sampling to increase brand visibility.
• Collaboration with Teams: Work closely with the marketing team to ensure brand messaging aligns with marketing campaigns and with the sales team to develop strategies that increase revenue and market share.
• Brand Education: Lead educational sessions to enhance consumers' and industry professionals' knowledge of our products, their unique qualities, and how to pair them with food. Provide training and support for retail and restaurant partners.
• Achieving KPIs: Achieve measurable key performance indicators (KPIs), which include sales targets, event engagement, and brand awareness metrics.
• Market Insights & Feedback: Gather feedback from consumers, customers, and partners to inform marketing strategies and product development. Share insights and trends with the brand and sales teams.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate long-term relationships with key industry stakeholders, such as sommeliers, buyers, distributors, and event organizers, to foster brand loyalty and open new sales channels.
• Promotional Materials & Merchandising: Ensure the proper distribution and display of promotional materials, samples, and brand assets to maximize exposure and drive sales at key accounts.

• Passion for Wine: A deep enthusiasm and understanding of wine culture, varieties, and trends in the industry.
• Experience: Extensive experience in brand ambassadorship, sales, or hospitality with a focus on premium or luxury brands is a must. Must be an expert in the Willamette Valley and Burgundy, their wines, the luxury consumer, and Lingua Franca's competitive set.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage large audiences and convey brand stories.
• Sales Acumen: Ability to sell and influence, with experience in achieving sales goals and KPIs in a high-pressure, results-driven environment.
• Team Collaboration: Comfortable working cross-functionally with both marketing and sales teams to execute brand strategies and drive measurable results.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel 50-70% of the time, often on weekends and evenings, to attend events and activate the brand in key markets, including international travel.
• Self-Starter: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while representing the brand.
• Valid Driver's License and U.S. Passport: Required for travel between accounts and events.

• WSET diploma or Court of Master Sommeliers, Advanced Sommelier
• Based in Oregon (Willamette Valley, Portland)
• Previous experience working with ultra-luxury wineries
• Previous experience as sommelier in a fine dining restaurant
• Familiarity with the world of fine dining, sommeliers, luxury consumers
• Strong personal network with top sommeliers, restaurants, hotels
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital engagement strategies.