Communications Manager

Title: Communications Manager Job Group Category: Exempt Type: Full-Time

Unit: Marketing and Communications Schedule: Monday – Friday, occasional nights & weekends Hours: TBD

Direct Reports: None Reports to: Director of Marketing and Communications

About Feeding Northeast Florida:

Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is the region’s largest nonprofit (501c3) food bank and hunger relief network. FNEFL provides nutritious foods and other essential goods to those in need and strives to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Northeast and North Central Florida by addressing food insecurity, poverty and poor health. Alongside out network of food distribution, agency and community partners, the Food Bank provides food resources and hope to help all people living in our 12-county service area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. John’s and Union) who struggle to feed themselves and their families. Feeding Northeast Florida works daily to find solutions to address the issues of food insecurity and poverty through awareness, advocacy, education, and action in ways that promote dignity, respect and empowerment. For more information, visit www.feedingnefl.org

Position Summary:

The Communications Manager will be responsible for managing Feeding Northeast Florida’s public relations activities, building relationships with media and community members, and overseeing the organization's storytelling efforts and speaker’s bureau. This position will develop and execute strategies for media relations, content creation, and community engagement, ensuring consistent, impactful, and respectful communication across all channels. Responsibilities also include coordinating media buys, ad placements, and supporting the organization’s visual and written messaging needs as needed.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Builds and maintains relationships with media outlets, agencies, and community partners to enhance the organization’s visibility and support.
• Develops and distributes press releases to local media and newspapers throughout the 12 counties in our service area.
• Collects and documents impactful stories from clients, partner agencies, and community members to use in marketing materials, interviews, videos, and other promotional content.
• Establishes and manages a speaker’s bureau to train and compensate community members on how to share their stories about facing hunger.
• Assists in creating and copywriting content for newsletters, press releases, social media posts, and other marketing materials.
• Coordinates media buys and ad placements in various publications and platforms, negotiating rates and contracts.
• Collaborates with the Director of Marketing and Communications and other team members to develop strategic communication plans and campaigns.
• Ensures all communications adhere to brand guidelines and effectively convey the organization’s mission and impact.
• Assists with event promotion and media coverage for special events, fundraising initiatives, volunteer events, and food distribution activities.
• Manages the production process with external vendors to ensure cost-effective, high-quality materials that meet internal deadlines.
• Keeps track of all projects and maintains status updates for the department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations, journalism, or a related field, preferred
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in public relations, media relations, or communications.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with media outlets and community members.
• Proficiency in content creation and copywriting for various communication channels.
• Background screening and drug test.
• Ability to occasionally attend work functions outside regular work hours, on weekends and evenings, as needed.
• Valid Florida driver's license and insurance with a good driving record.

Competencies:

• Oral/Written Communication- Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and responds to questions for clarification; writes clearly and informatively; demonstrates strong presentation skills; participates in meetings; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively.
• Design-Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Interpersonal Skills-Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Dependability-Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative-Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation-Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Work Environment:

This position is in an office/warehouse environment and requires a flexible schedule and travel to accommodate FNEFL events. Work is performed indoors and outdoors with regular exposure to all weather conditions. In instances of a federal, state, or local declared emergency, FNEFL is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to talk, read and interpret written information.
• Ability to use a computer to accomplish the position's duties, including writing and seeing.
• Ability to communicate oral and written expectations and establish priorities.
• Frequently lifting, bending, carrying, reaching and pulling with hands and arms, and moving materials up to 25 lbs.
• Required to stand, walk and sit for long periods of time.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assembly of very small objects.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The above job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skills of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform other related duties assigned by their supervisor.