Communications Director

Organization Summary

Salvation Farms’ mission is to build increased resilience in Vermont’s food system through agricultural surplus management. Our work explores diverse opportunities to respond to Vermont’s surplus farm food in an effort to build food system security and regional food resilience. We run a gleaning program, serve as backbone support to the Vermont Gleaning Collective, and have operated a surplus crop food hub and workforce development program. Other aspects of our work include technical assistance, creating resources for gleaners, supply chain development, experiential education, community building, cross-sector colleague collaboration, research, dialogue facilitation, and state, regional, and national engagement.

Position Summary

Salvation Farms’ Communications Director is responsible for creating and disseminating the organization’s external print and web-based communication. They maintain consistency and professionalism across all of Salvation Farms’ communication tools and platforms, which are utilized to engage with stakeholders and the public. They instill the organization’s philosophies and culture into our communications materials in a way that balances our mission and values with our programmatic impact. Continuity of brand across all communication and marketing material – in aesthetics and message – is a lead charge of this position.

The Communications Director ensures all aspects of Salvation Farms’ public relations and outreach strategies are accurate, timely, informative, and consistent. Heart, whimsy, integrity, and introspection are critical to parallel the seriousness and complexity of our mission within our communication efforts. Honing and maintaining Salvation Farms’ style, brand, and tone in images and words are key responsibilities of this staff person.

This position requires an individual with creativity, consistency, very high standards and attention to detail, ability to adhere to deadlines while working with others, and humility. This staffer supervises Salvation Farms’ Community Relations & Development Coordinator and works closely with the organization’s Executive Director and Strategy & Advocacy Coordinator.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (included but not limited to)

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan
• Evolve and ensure Salvation Farms’ style and message guides are used
• Design, draft, edit, and deliver stakeholder communications, including solicitations
• Aid in preparing legislative advocacy efforts and materials
• Format research reports, operational toolkits, and training resources; include Salvation Farms branding
• Lead design, editing, and mailing of newsletters, annual reports, and appeals
• Design and maintain all fact sheets, promotional materials, and program materials
• Actively build relationships with media outlets and field all incoming media inquiries
• Draft, edit, and deliver press/media content
• Maintain the organization’s website and manage e-communications—blog and mass-emails
• Manage social media, YouTube channel, online giving platforms, and photo files
• Identify, coordinate, promote, and execute special events, tabling opportunities, and presentations
• Manage a calendar of promotion related events and volunteer engagement opportunities
• Support donor and stakeholder engagement in-person, via phone, mail and/or email as needed
• Support volunteer recruitment through promotional efforts
• Support the Vermont Gleaning Collective’s marketing and communication efforts

Additional Responsibilities

• Engage deeply with Salvation Farms management staff; provide leadership among the staff
• Participate in Salvation Farms’ Board of Directors’ Fundraising Committee
• Ensure constituent information is properly cataloged, maintained, and accurate
• Support the Executive Director with all organization-wide fundraising and events, specifically with development and communication strategies
• Appropriately represent and promote Salvation Farms, its programs, and mission by attending meetings, conferences, and tabling opportunities while also ensuring staff and board can do the same

Desired Qualifications

• Communications and marketing experience with all forms of media
• Graphic design experience
• Skilled at social media, Office Suite, Publisher, Adobe, etc. & tech savvy
• High attention to detail
• Effective problem solver
• Excellent verbal, written, speaking, and presentation skills
• Highly organized and skilled in time management
• Self-starter and ability to work independently and within a team while adhering to numerous deadlines and managing others
• Eager to engage in elements of fundraising and stakeholder communication
• Commitment to social justice, natural resource management, and Salvation Farms’ mission