Communications Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Communications engages with Northwest Harvest's goal of cutting hunger rates in half by being a forward-looking strategic partner to all leaders across the organization, who starts with "yes" to help create values and strategy aligned programs and initiatives by developing and executing a comprehensive brand strategy that aligns with our organizational objectives. They are a seasoned professional who will define, refine, and grow our brand recognition.

As a member of the Advancement team, the Director of Communications is responsible for managing Northwest Harvest's brand and all related communication activities, including marketing, publications, web presence, advertising, social and traditional media, public relations, and outreach. This position actively supports efforts and collaborates across the organization with fundraising, special events, volunteer engagement, and partner relations.

In addition, the successful incumbent in this role will be passionate about the mission of Northwest Harvest, be able to ignite and inspire a creative team while putting into practice our Six Agreements and our PACI values. They will have a strong point of view about our brand, have significant experience in marketing and communications, and will cultivate deep relationships with media outlets across Washington State.

As a member of the Leadership Team (LT), the Director of Communications is responsible for contributing to the overall health of the LT by working to build trust, engaging in constructive conflict, demonstrating commitment to team decisions, holding oneself and others accountable, and focusing on results. As an LT member, the Director of Communications holds these key responsibilities in support of our strategy work: know and be able to communicate the Four Strategies; appreciate that our strategy work is central to the achievement of Northwest Harvest's vision to achieve equitable access to nutritious food for all in Washington State; communicate to their team (and, when applicable, to external audiences) about the strategies; and encourage their team to pursue engagement in the strategies directly or as a support function.

Schedule: This position may be required to work occasional off-shift hours as necessary for special events or other duties assigned.

Travel: Be responsive and adaptive to opportunities throughout Washington (WA). This can include but is not limited to local travel and occasional travel to Eastern and Western WA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

People Management & Leadership

People Management

• Build a healthy, dynamic teams that works well together and that understands their role and impact within and beyond the organization
• Lead through influence across the Advancement department and across all other departments
• Act as a servant leader to supervise, support, professionally develop, and hold accountable the following positions:

• A team of ~4 content creators focused on brand management, public relations, and digital & print collateral

• Encourage leaning into failure norms and learning from the process
• Inspire human-centered and innovative program development
• Collaborate cross functionally and with all other teams
• Champion clear and consistent communication internally and externally about activities, initiatives, successes, and learnings
• Ensure milestones, indicators and targets are developed and tracked for the department in support of NWH strategies
• Oversees and hold is responsiblilitye for department budgets that are in alignment with organizational strategies and annual operating plans
• Provide professional development support to meet people where they are and mentor individuals toward professional and personal success

Leadership

• Develop high level strategy and an annual communications plan to position the Northwest Harvest brand. This includes defining and prioritizing audiences, writing messaging, and positioning documents, and creating time-bound communication plans and success metrics.
• Lead 4-6 strategic media events, including our annual Home team Harvest event, in partnership with the advancement team to raise funds and awareness, engage community, , and educate the public about hunger through strong and ethical storytelling e
• Ensure media partners are aligned, supported and stewarded, ultimately growing the relationship.
• Identify and build relationships with key target partners - including designers, web developers, video producers and others.
• Develop high level strategy for social media, website and other digital content
• Use analytics to create actionable insights, assess and measure audience engagement

Implementation and Management

• Prioritize media engagement by overseeing the development of press releases, op eds and other marketing collateral. Oversee the writing and editing of editorial content across multiple platforms and channels, including donor communications (annual fund, stewardship, and case statements); short and long-form features, narratives and multimedia stories; advertising copy; event communications and collateral; social media posts; speaker remarks; event and video scripts
• Collaborate with the community philanthropy team on the creation and implementation of new event programming, may include, but not limited to:
  • Lead mMarketing and the promotion of events
  • Liaise with teams across the organization to support development and evaluation of communications strategies, and impact assessment
  • Utilize and develop effective project management tools
  • Conduct quality control on all communications across the organization

• Set a strong vision for the team, including clear priorities, objectives, and measurable goals
• Oversee annual budgeting, work planning and performance evaluations
• Partner with internal directors and other agency stakeholders to ensure communications are on brand

Communications, Brand Management, and Public Relations

• Prepares and executes public relations plan, including news releases, articles, radio, and TV presentations. In addition, the Director of Communications will:
  • Serve as NWH's spokesperson
  • Build and foster long-term, proactive working relationships with media
  • Manage op-ed and guest column content and placement

• Effectively manages and directs crisis communication needs
• With the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), speak on behalf of the organization and act as a professional goodwill ambassador representing the organization in the communities we serve, as it pertains to cultivating community partners and donors
• Oversee regular media training for subject-matter experts within the organization who serve as spokespersons
• Stay informed and knowledgeable about strategic priorities, programmatic activities, and partnership opportunities

Participate in cross functional teams and other activities as requested

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact

Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Frequent contact with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Leadership Team, multiple departments, and employees at all levels of the organization. Communicates regularly to collaborate on written materials, respond to requests for written content and develop story ideas. Works in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Community Philanthropy, as well as with fellow Advancement team members.

External: Regular contact with vendors, contractors, consultants, external partners, advocates, and activists, donors and media.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.

Successful completion of a background check is required.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of communications practices, brand management, engaging storytelling, project management, and team leadership
• Knowledge in leading a team of communication professionals and providing guidance and support to ensure cohesive messaging
• Developing and implementing communication strategies that align with the organization's goals and objectives
• Knowledge of overseeing the creation of content for various communication channels, including press releases, social media, and websites
• Knowledge of managing relationships with media outlets and serving as an organizational spokesperson when needed
• Thorough knowledge of handling crisis communications and managing the organization's reputation during challenging situations
• Comprehensive knowledge with Microsoft Office applications; particularly Word, Excel, PPT and Outlook, Teams, and Zoom and ability to work efficiently and effectively with other organizational platforms such as ADP, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics NAV systems

Ability To:

• Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations and people living with disabilities
• Equity and Connectedness:

• Adopt the PACI (purpose driven, anti-racist, connected and interwoven) model and practice the Six Agreements
• Support equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations and people living with disabilities

• Engage in regular communication virtually with internal and external groups-written, verbally, and through video conferencing
• Respond to crises or challenging situations quickly and effectively
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen and to explain NWH's vision and mission, as well as issues related to poverty, food insecurity and race and equity to external constituents
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships internally and externally with respect and empathy
• Project a professional presence and conduct relationships in an ethical manner with a high degree of tact, sensitivity, confidentiality and respect
• Analyze issues, synthesize information, make decisions and learn from mistakes
• Prioritize and handle multiple projects, drive innovative solutions
• Ask questions to understand the merits of different approaches and shift strategies in response to demands of a situation
• Motivate, inspire and leverage the strength of others
• Maintain a calm and positive can-do attitude in the face of challenging situations; maintain the ability to shift strategies in response to the demands of a situation

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English literature or an equal combination of education and experience with a personal orientation as a life-long learner.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of (7) + years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of integrated marketing, communications, community engagement and/or public relations experience; experience in social justice issues is preferred with (3) + years of a successful track record of leading a team with direct reports.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Non- Profit experience is desired but not required
• Demonstrated skills in copy writing is desired
• Project management expertise; proficiency with digital project management tools is desired.
• Ability to speak a second language is desired but not required

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION:
Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ vision/ insurance, long term disability insurance, Life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, Vacation and Sick leave, 8 paid holidays; New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.