Communications Manager

Position Information

Job Title: Communications Manager

Program/Dept: The Food Group

Location: New Hope

Manager: Director of Advancement & Culture

This is a full-time exempt position with a competitive benefits package. The hiring range is $65,000-$75,000.

Job Summary

This position’s role is to increase support, recognition, participation, and brand awareness for The Food Group through storytelling, impact sharing, and strategic communications. This position creates content for all segments across the organization and works closely with the Marketing & Creative Manager. This position shares leadership for the successful planning and implementation of a comprehensive marketing and communications effort to grow and sustain support for food for today and change for tomorrow. This position has no direct reports.

Core Job Functions

A. Strategic Communications & Storytelling– Appx. 50% of time

• Develop strategies to share impact with donors, legislators, and the community through creative storytelling. Identify and develop stories and quotes to be used in communication across all channels including articles, videos, presentation materials, and visual graphics.
• Develop content strategy that positions The Food Group as a local content expert and partner on hunger, food access, policy, and sustainable agriculture.
• Develop and communicate compelling differentiation and brand positioning.
• Develop and implement an annual press strategy to build media relations and create press releases and stories for local media outlets.
• Incorporate an equity lens into storytelling and the brand of The Food Group.
• Track and communicate key organizational messages and community trends. Equip the team with consistent and updated language to use.
• Understand target audiences of the organization to develop appropriate communication strategies.
• Create content across all areas and segments of the organization and sub brands, including general organization communication, Fare For All, Twin Cities Mobile Market, Hunger Solutions, and Big River Farms.

• Implement processes to review marketing and communication elements prior to external release to maintain consistency of The Food Group’s voice and identity.
• Represent the organization in the community at events and engagements.

B. Digital Strategy – Appx. 30% of time

• Create digital content and strategy, including an annual social media, website, blog, e-newsletters, and electronic communications plan. Segment across different target audiences of the organization.
• Write content across digital channels: website, social media, and e-communications.
• Work with Marketing & Design Manager to incorporate visuals, video, and design as well as brand and values into digital communications.
• Manage e-communications across the organization.
• Track marketing and communications analytics to inform decisions and strategies.
• Implement digital strategies to boost exposure, website traffic, SEO, and increase support.

C. Administration & Management – Appx. 20% of time

• Co-lead with the Marketing & Design Manager, cross-functional team meetings focused on marketing and communications strategies across different areas of the organization to ensure integration across the team.
• Develop and manage the budget for the marketing and communications initiatives.
• Work with external vendors and contractors for support as needed and as budget allows to help project manage– printers, designers, PR support, and consultants.

Position Requirements

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Must be able to work effectively in an organization that has recognized its own issues related to equity, and is seeking to be more representative of the community.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving our food system focused on health, nutrition, and equity.
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and writing skills.
• Experience with both print and digital communication/marketing channels.

• Approaches work with a sense of collaboration and team work.
• Creative and flexible in responding to changing priorities and emerging needs.
• Ability to manage time effectively, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in software applications (preferred): Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Acrobat (full version), Adobe Creative Suite (PhotoShop and InDesign), Mail Chimp, WordPress, Canva.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications.

Benefits

The Food Group values organizational culture and the dedicated staff that make the mission of the organization possible in the community. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance (100% employer paid employee portion and 50% dependents)
• Dental coverage and voluntary vision plan
• Up to 18 days of PTO accrued in the first year of employment
• 16 paid holidays including a collective summer and winter break
• 401K employer contribution
• STD, LTD, and Employee Term Life and AD&D benefits (100% employer paid)
• HSA with employer annual contribution
• Paid childcare leave policy.

Additionally, TFG works hard to allow for flexibility within schedules and roles as needed and able and values and promotes work life balance.

Organization Overview

The Food Group (TFG) is a local food equity nonprofit. For more than 45 years we have worked to provide nutritious food to those who need it most in our community. We work at the intersection of food access, equity, and nutrition issues related to food and hunger in Minnesota. We work across the food system and our programs include hunger relief, affordable grocery, and a land-based education farm. Hunger Solutions MN operates as the advocacy branch of The Food Group.

Our culture and environment can be described as high-trust, cooperative, collaborative, open, and fun. We are team of approximately 60 people with three locations in New Hope, St. Paul, and Marine on St. Croix.

We are a workplace that is full of people who genuinely appreciate each other and work best when tackling big ideas as a team. We value individuals who bring their life experiences to their work, knowing that the ways that they have experienced racial, economic, or gender injustice drive their passion to create change. We are a team of passionate, dedicated people who work alongside each other.

Equity is fundamental to our mission to fight hunger and nourish our community. Where we live, how much money we make, or the color of our skin currently influences access to healthy and culturally connected foods. We must address the roots of these inequities so everyone in our community has the opportunity to live their best life. We believe in working with our community and organizations to improve food access and make systemic changes. To do so, equity is a part of all aspects of our work. We invite individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds to take part in and shape the work in the community.

Working Conditions and Environment

This position will office out of our New Hope, MN location or St Paul, MN location. Both offices are accessible and smoke-free office setting. This position works primarily during normal business hours and includes some evening and/or weekend hours on and off site. Start times are flexible to adjust to bus, biking, or other transportation schedules. Must have ability to sit for long periods of time and utilize various office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, and calculator) on a continual basis. Remote flexibility.

All employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion.

People of Color and LGBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply. The Food Group is an equal opportunity employer.