Director of Communications

About the Organization

Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization launched in 2009, connects families and individuals to food resources to meet existing needs and drives policy, systems and social change to end hunger. As the state’s leading anti-hunger advocacy organization, Hunger Free Colorado is dedicated to achieving a future in which all Coloradans have equitable access to the nutritious food needed to thrive and reach their full potential.

The organization is committed to achieving racial, economic and food justice and seeks employees who share these values. Hunger Free Colorado’s vision for our staff experience is that employees can exercise influence at all levels of the organization and are provided relevant and intentional opportunities to grow as professionals and people.

Job Summary

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Communications oversees all external communications for Hunger Free Colorado, with a focus on building public awareness, understanding and action behind the movement to end hunger and achieve food justice in Colorado. This includes educating donors, partners, grassroots community leaders and the general public about our work and how they can get involved.

The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and executing communications strategies and campaigns that support organizational, policy and movement-building goals; supervising staff; leading multi-organization collaborative efforts; and managing public and media relations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Communications Strategy

• Provide direction, management, strategic planning, and leadership for external communications to achieve organizational, policy and movement-building goals
• Align overall communications strategies to achieve consistent branding, messaging, and visual identity
• Ensure all communications reflect organizational values and support a community-centered, justice-based framework
• Utilize evidence-based communications tools for effective messaging
• Lead all organization-led market research, including voter polling
• Monitor metrics and key performance indicators to inform strategic and tactical decisions

People Management

• Supervise staff, including a Communications Manager
• Provide regular guidance to staff to support effective project implementation and professional development
• Ensure strong coordination and clear distribution of projects and responsibilities across the team

Public & Media Relations

• Develop and manage the media relations strategy, calendar, key messages, press materials, and metrics, as well as monitor and track relevant news coverage
• Serve as the organization’s primary media contact
• Expand local and statewide presence through targeted media pitching, and story and interview coordination, as well as strong media list and relationship cultivation plan
• Manage all media partnerships and sponsorships for events, campaigns, and other initiatives
• Prepare staff, Board members, and grassroots community leaders for media and public speaking engagements
• Work closely with staff, community leaders, and organizational partners on news stories
• Represent the organization at external meetings, events, and conferences, as well as participate in community presentations and other speaking engagements

Collaborations & Relationship Management

• Partner with government agencies, community and faith-based organizations, elected officials, and other entities to raise awareness about the realities of hunger and pursue community-led solutions
• Serve as the organization’s communications lead or representative on coalitions, committees, and collaborative efforts that advocate for transformational policy change
• Provide strategic communications guidance and support for SNAP Outreach and for policy and organizing campaigns

Marketing & Digital Engagement Strategy

• Serve as lead strategist for digital organizing campaigns to build our base and drive grassroots community action – including through the effective integration of social media, texting, email marketing, advertising, websites and blogs, collateral development, video production, and other activities
• Develop and execute comprehensive and integrated communications plans for community engagement initiatives, events, fundraising efforts, and public policy campaigns
• Serve as the communications lead for annual report releases
• Support communications staff, when needed, with project management, copywriting, editing, graphic design, social media posting, ad buys, website updates, development of promotional toolkits, and printing

Administrative

• Monitor and report on the progress of departmental initiatives and strategic plan goals
• Create and manage internal processes, policies, and archival systems

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• At least 5-7 years of relevant work experience directly related to duties detailed above, or a combination of experience and relevant academic study
• Creative, strategic, and analytical thinker who embraces the challenge to grow the movement for food justice in Colorado
• Passionate and knowledgeable about ending hunger and working toward racial and economic justice
• Strong relationship builder with a high degree of professionalism, interpersonal savviness, and enthusiasm
• Team player who values collaboration and has the ability to actively listen, guide, inspire, and work with diverse audiences
• Self-starter with a strong initiative to develop and implement initiatives and plans while remaining flexible and adaptable to changing landscapes and circumstances (i.e., federal and state policy)
• Excellent writing, editing, and public speaking skills
• Known for organizational, project, and time management skills
• Background as journalist or direct experience working with media

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Fluency in Spanish
• Knowledge of issues and policies relevant to federal nutrition programs, local food systems and community-based food justice initiatives
• High level of comfort using, learning, and exploring technology for social change

Work Environment

• This position will operate in a hybrid fashion, both in-person and remotely through Microsoft office platforms
• Ability to work in a variety of community-based settings with individuals from various races, backgrounds, cultures, political and religious views
• Willingness to work a varied schedule beyond core office hours, including occasional evening and weekend events
• This position is required to be Colorado-based
• Ability to attend meetings and events within the Denver Metro area
• Occasional travel throughout Colorado may be needed, as well as limited national travel
• May need to lift 25 pounds and sit or stand for long periods of time

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range for this position is $89,200-$100,300, depending on qualifications and experience. Hunger Free Colorado offers an exceptional benefits package including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), holidays, paid time off, retirement plans, and insurance coverages which include but are not limited to health, vision, dental, and life insurance. For staff who have worked at least 6 months FT, parental leave and professional development benefits are available. Detailed benefits documents are available to interested candidates upon request.

Hunger Free Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment and we strongly encourage you to apply if you are part of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and/or LGBTQIA community, are differently abled, a veteran, or are of diverse nationality or religion.

Hunger Free Colorado expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Hunger Free Colorado will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants.