Communications Team Member

Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.) Communications Team Member

Background

Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P., foodispower.org), founded in 2007, seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. We seek specifically to empower those with the fewest resources. Our advocacy areas include spotlighting the abuse of animals on farms, fighting against unfair conditions for produce workers, calling for the availability of healthy foods in Black and Brown communities and low-income areas, and the conservation of natural resources. We encourage healthy food choices that reflect a more compassionate society. Food Empowerment Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is presently seeking to maintain a robust program aimed at helping individuals go vegan and stay vegan.

Summary

The Communications Team Member (CTM) oversees overall communications to aid the growth and development of Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.) and supports the organization’s goals for remaining a consistent and trusted leader in our movement. The CTM creates and drives the organization’s communications and social media. The CTM monitors social media trends, including developments in content creation, scheduling, social media copy, design, strategy, and innovation to help F.E.P. stay relevant and effective. The CTM is a core member of the team and is responsible for maintaining the organization’s brand integrity, tone, and messaging. In addition, the CTM collaborates with F.E.P. colleagues to support the organization’s strategic direction through communications, as well as sharing ideas for long-term growth-oriented goals for the organization’s public image. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of excelling in the same (or a closely aligned) position, is self-motivated, energetic, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented with a passion for F.E.P.’s mission to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. They will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be prepared to collaborate on prompt messaging, think creatively under pressure, and craft inclusive messaging that is timely and relevant. The CTM has a background in public relations and is able to craft pitches to the media year-round, ensuring F.E.P. stays relevant and introduces F.E.P. in new spaces. They should have a strong understanding of social media and best practices for engaging with members of the press. This position will also work closely with campaigns and fundraising staff in particular and staff across the organization as a whole. The CTM will be a core part of the collective model where they are confident in participating in high-stakes decisions, working cross-functionally, participating in various meetings, taking on additional responsibilities, and embracing this horizontal structure where all voices are heard and respected.

Responsibilities & Duties

Social Media

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns the organization’s goals and brand voice across platforms such as BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube.
  • Write and edit all social media copy.
  • Respond to comments, messages, and mentions in a timely and professional manner, cultivating relationships with followers and influencers.
  • Create appealing and shareable videos for social media that engage and educate supporters about our work.
  • Create shareable social media images that educate supporters about our work.
  • Collaborate with team members to create a social media calendar.
  • Stay current on media and social media trends to help inform F.E.P.’s content.
  • Develop ideas for testing social media content, gather and analyze the data, and prepare and implement what is learned from the results to inform future posts.
  • Monitor social media trends—including developments in design, strategy, and innovation—to help F.E.P. stay relevant and effective.

Media/Promoting F.E.P.

  • Collaborate with team members to develop and implement strategic, media-worthy campaigns and fundraising efforts; implement tactics that attract media attention.
  • Grow our email supporter list.
  • Collaborate with the programs team to develop creative print and online high-impact ads and clever web videos.
  • Work with the team to reply quickly to communication that requires an immediate response; develop messages to defend F.E.P.’s positions; and write op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points, and other media/social media materials.
  • Actively find ways to insert our programmatic work into trending news and news related to our work in the media.
  • Act as media contact for the organization, including during online (and in-person, once safe to do so) educational events to engage our supporters in our work.
  • Conduct media research as necessary to support campaign plans.
  • Create press lists and maintain the media contact database via Google Spreadsheets.
  • Organize and curate F.E.P.’s digital assets (photos, videos) and media mentions.
  • Train, coach, and prepare staff for media interviews/talks/appearances and educate staff on communication best practices or identify an external expert who can provide such training.

Promotion & Communications

  • Coordinate and schedule F.E.P. talks and speaking engagements.
  • Increase F.E.P. exposure through talks, tabling, and podcasts.
  • Ensure the organization’s branding, tone, and messaging is consistent across platforms and across the organization.
  • Work with the F.E.P. team to create and implement long-term strategic plans for F.E.P.’s communications program, including a communications calendar.
  • Assist with/give input on a budget and operating plan for communications in collaboration with the F.E.P. team.

Collective Roles

  • Assessment team member
  • Actively engaged in decisions for the organization including HR, salaries, and budget
  • Being a Team Lead for aspects of the organization

Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Experience

  • At least two years’ experience working in a communications role, preferably at a nonprofit.
  • Proven ability to develop creative offline and online content.
  • Familiarity and experience with visual storytelling.
  • Excellent communication skills (both written and oral); solid copy-editing skills; strong framing and messaging skills adaptable to various media and public settings.
  • Confidence and willingness to defend the organization’s values publicly.
  • Knowledge of best writing and messaging practices for social media and organizational correspondence.
  • Experience in social media content creation and posting, and willingness to experiment/test to improve results.
  • Good data analysis, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, creativity, and willingness to learn.
  • Excellent project-management skills (time management, goal-setting, multitasking, prioritization).
  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-up.
  • Able to work in a fast-paced, team environment and effectively engage with colleagues across departments and geographies.
  • Able to work independently and be self-motivated and dependable.
  • Leadership abilities, including training and mentorship.
  • Knowledge of and experience with Meltwater and creating/maintaining press/reporter lists.
  • Excellent knowledge of Canva or other graphic design programs, video editing, MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), program/project management software (Basecamp), and Google Drive.
  • Adaptable and open to new platforms.
  • Understanding of Food Empowerment Project’s mission and philosophy and a commitment to F.E.P.’s values.

Additional “Nice-to-Haves”

  • Experience with media relations, including existing relationships with media outlets/reporters related to our programmatic areas.
  • Personable and comfortable being in front of the camera on behalf of the organization.
  • Fluent in Spanish.
  • Familiar with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Other Details

Job location: We are only able to hire U.S.-based candidates at this time. Job is remote. California preferred. Hours: Monday–Thursday (four days a week, 9 hours a day); some evening and weekend hours, as needed. Starting annual salary: $70k USD. Benefits: Health care reimbursement for medical, dental, and vision premiums; paid vacation time of 3 weeks per year, with increasing accrual based on tenure; and a professional development budget.   Application deadline: We’re accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Our goal is to fill the position as soon as possible. Application process: Please send us your resume highlighting relevant experience and skills and a cover letter, including your work experience as it directly relates to this position. Please email your materials to jobs@foodispower.org with the subject line “Communications Team Member.” No phone calls, please. People of color, women and non-binary folks, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply!