JESSICA MAURER
WILMINGTON,NORTH CAROLINA
Summary
A collaborative leader and problem-solver with a talent for team-building. Dedicated to streamlining operations by providing excellent communication, management, and organizational skills to coordinate multiple, concurrent projects. Specializes in building and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Feast Wilmington
01.2024 - Current
- Provide strategic direction for Feast Wilmington’s growth, partnerships, and programming
- Lead marketing, brand voice, media relations, and storytelling initiatives
- Build and manage relationships with chefs, beverage partners, sponsors and vendors
- Oversee guest experience design, event layout, activations, and programming
- Direct operational planning, logistics, budgets, and on-site team leadership
Director of Communications
Own Your Own
01.2023 - Current
- Oversaw internal and external communications for a nationwide restaurant competition
- Developed comprehensive communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement
- Developed internal strategies for managing applicants
- Managed logistics of week-long competition including event management and media coverage
Proposal Writer
CastleBranch
09.2019 - 12.2022
- Responsible for creation of proposals for background investigation services, compliance and immunization tracking, and drug screening services
- Oversaw management of multiple ongoing projects, each with multiple deadlines
- Led kick-off meetings to launch new projects, create strategies, and assign tasks
- Conducted research and consulted with internal subject matter experts to create new content
- Collaborated with Sales Team to develop new strategies for “stretch” bids and newly launched products and services
- Tracked participation in bids across a wide range of public and private entities as well as non-profit organizations
Freelance Writer
Wilmington Media & Marketing
06.2014 - 10.2021
- Responsible for coverage of area restaurants, bars and breweries as well as food-related events for the GWBJ and WILMA Magazine
- Writer of weekly column titled Restaurant Roundup
- Formed close relationships with key players in the local food and beverage industry through source-building
- Developed a working knowledge of the local food scene and trends in the food and beverage industry
Manager and In-House Chef
The Seasoned Gourmet
04.2011 - 06.2012
- Managed daily operations including customer service, staffing, ordering and receiving, accounts payable, daily financial reporting and banking, correspondence, social media and marketing
- Scheduling and promotion of cooking classes
- Taught cooking classes on a wide variety of topics and hosted wine education classes and in-store demonstrations
- Created recipes and menus featuring store products for classes and events
Catering Manager
Temptations Everyday Gourmet
08.2009 - 04.2011
- Coordinated and oversaw all catering orders
- Helped develop seasonal menus
Education
Professional Chefs Program -
The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts
Cambridge, Massachusetts2001
Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies, Political Science
Hartwick College
Oneonta, New York1997
Skills
- Project Management
- Concept Development
- Strategic Planning and Communication
- Event Logistics Management
- Public and Media Relations
- Event Marketing
Timeline
Director
Feast Wilmington
01.2024 - Current
Director of Communications
Own Your Own
01.2023 - Current
Proposal Writer
CastleBranch
09.2019 - 12.2022
Freelance Writer
Wilmington Media & Marketing
06.2014 - 10.2021
Manager and In-House Chef
The Seasoned Gourmet
04.2011 - 06.2012
Catering Manager
Temptations Everyday Gourmet
08.2009 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies, Political Science
Hartwick College
Professional Chefs Program -
The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts