Integrated Communications Manager

About Field & Fork Network

Field & Fork Network is a fast-growing New York State food and farming non-profit organization that connects communities to innovative solutions that foster a sustainable food system. Our work focuses on four important areas: agriculture economic development, food access, youth development, and healthy neighborhoods.

We strive to live and advance Field & Fork Network’s Core Values of:

• Equity Minded – We honor unique identities and perspectives with dignity
• Forward thinking – We turn ideas into long-lasting solutions
• Collaborative – We incorporate diverse voices and ideas

We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where people feel supported, listened to and able to do their personal best.

What’s the job

Field & Fork Network is seeking an Integrated Communications Manager to create and execute mission-critical integrated communications plans that can move a variety of diverse stakeholders to action. With an editorial mindset and a 360-degree approach, the priority of this position is to help design an intentional, intuitive, and sophisticated brand ecosystem that defines our narrative and tightly controls how Field & Fork Network shows up in the world. Your objective: advance our mission to deliver innovative solutions that build a stronger and more equitable food system throughout New York State.

The successful candidate will exemplify an acute understanding of the intersections between communications (both corporate and consumer), traditional and digital marketing, and fundraising and development. At the highest level, this person will have an appetite for progress, a connection to our vision, and the ability to embed themselves into all our functions to better gain alignment across internal teams and external stakeholders.

As part of your day-to-day, you will work directly with the leadership team and manage projects that help increase our public awareness through a multi-channel approach, attract new corporate and community partners, maintain relationships with lawmakers and government officials, and help secure funding for our growing portfolio of impact programs, including our flagship nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY.

Because of the cross-functional capabilities this position requires, it is important to be a natural relationship builder, empathetic brand storyteller, and strategic implementor. Creating integrated action plans to achieve ambitious organizational goals while remaining curious about – and adaptable to – diverse, evolving, nuanced, and sometimes complex environments is key.

When you join Field & Fork Network, you join a team of agriculture, food system, and food science professionals who think differently about the future of holistic food systems in New York State. We are dedicated to delivering long-term and sustainable food access programs that help alleviate food insecurities and reduce the need for emergency food safety nets (like food banks), while we help people nurture healthier holistic eating habits, create economic development opportunities for local farmers, and pioneer nutrition-based research programs.

If you are a collaborative, equity-minded, forward thinker who likes to roll up their sleeves and drive action, Field & Fork Network is a place where your inner challenge-seeker will succeed.

What am I going to do?

• Contribute heavily to the creation of integrated communications plans, that bring our value proposition and case for giving to life in fresh and engaging ways. Efforts will also level up to a master communications and development strategy that builds momentum for our programming, helps diversify our revenue streams, and moves our mission, vision, and values forward.
• Support the evolution and implementation of our fundraising efforts, like seasonal appeals and donor events. This important work includes identifying, cultivating, and maintaining reciprocal relationships with existing and potential donors, with a focus on corporate partners, to better understand their philanthropic and community relations goals as well as budget cycles.
• Build new capabilities on our website as we invest in creating a comprehensive digital hub and evolve our online donor program. Knowledge of CRM systems is a bonus.
• Create a diverse library of communications materials to be used for a variety of purposes. This includes press kits, FAQs, press releases, media alerts, talking points, and more.
• Uncover strategic co-branded comms opportunities with partners to increase newsworthiness, expand content reach and awareness, and tap into new audiences.
• Produce fundraising and donor communications materials, including multimedia content for a variety of storytelling needs across our digital properties.
• Act as the main point of contact for lawmakers, government officials, legislative staff, and related stakeholders. Although the time and attention devoted to government relations work is cyclical, the goal is to keep an eye towards continuously evolving our advocacy strategies, maintain existing political relationships, and build allyship among a new guard of political stakeholders.
• Conduct targeted pitching efforts to secure earned media coverage.
• Manage our editorial calendar to deliver timely content across platforms.

How to apply

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills to drive organizational excellence in a non-profit setting, we invite you to apply and join us in advancing our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, Field & Fork Network considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and a portfolio of relevant work to hiring@fieldandforknetwork.com. Please include Integrated Communications Manager in the subject line. Please do not use the LinkedIn Easy Apply feature.

The skill set

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in a like-minded community-focused organization or nonprofit setting is preferred. However, those with experience at a communications agency with a focus on brand development and integrated planning, or in-house experience as part of an integrated communications team will also be considered.

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong media relations and content creation abilities.
• Proven experience in donor relations and/or grant writing is a plus.
• Strategic thinking with a strong understanding of nonprofit fundraising.
• Effective organizational and project management skills.
• Understanding of the political landscape in NYS.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and fundraising platforms.

Attributes:

• Strategic and proactive approach with a results-driven mindset.
• Ability to anticipate needs from all angles.
• Strong teamwork and time management skills.
• High level of professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.
• Ability to quickly learn new concepts and turn ambiguity into action.
• Natural curiosity and an ability to anticipate issues from all sides.
• Creative but equally critical thinker who likes to ask questions and bullet-proof programs.

Collected and professional presence.

What we offer

· Field & Fork Network operates a hybrid model, combining remote and on-site work

· Your salary is supplemented with a competitive benefits package including health benefits, paid time off, and 401(k) employer match

• · Compensation of $60,500-$62,000, commensurate with experience