Internal Communications Lead

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Work Structure: Hybrid – three days per week onsite

Position Summary

The Internal Communications Lead is responsible for strengthening how information flows across and within Food Lifeline, while also helping teams communicate clearly and consistently with our network partners.

This is a high-impact individual contributor role focused on translating organizational priorities and decisions into clear, actionable communication. The Lead will build tools, systems, and practices that improve how information flows across the organization, while also directly developing, producing, and distributing content and supporting leaders in their communication.

This role works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer, CEO, and Executive Team and partners across Programs/Operations, Strategy & Impact, and Administration and partners closely with the MarCom team to ensure consistency between internal and external communication. The Internal Communications Lead will be embedded in key leadership conversations to identify communication needs early and ensure communication is aligned, timely, and effective.

Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities

Internal Communication & Organizational Clarity

• • Develop and support implementation of clear, consistent internal communication approaches in partnership with leadership.
  • Develop communication approaches that effectively reach employees across office, warehouse, transportation, and other work environments, accounting for differences in schedules, technology access, and how employees receive information.
  • Partner with leaders early in organizational changes and major initiatives to identify audiences, communication needs, sequencing, channels, and potential areas of confusion.
  • Translate organizational decisions, priorities, and changes into accessible, actionable communication for staff.
  • Identify communication gaps that impact clarity, alignment, or execution and propose practical solutions.
  • Support planning and development of organization-wide communications, including all-staff meetings, leadership updates, and key organizational messages.
  • Draft and support regular executive communications, including organization-wide updates from the CEO.
  • Support internal communication during emergency or disaster response situations, ensuring timely, clear, and coordinated communication to staff and partners in alignment with organizational response structures.

Partner Communication & Network Experience

• • Partner with teams to strengthen the systems, practices, and approaches used to communicate with Food Lifeline’s agency network and community partners.
  • Help teams translate organizational decisions, operational changes, requirements, and other complex information into clear, consistent, actionable partner communications.
  • Develop tools, templates, standards, and communication practices that enable teams to communicate effectively and consistently with network partners.
  • Identify recurring communication challenges that create confusion or friction for partners and work with responsible teams to implement practical improvements.
  • Ensure significant organizational decisions and changes are reflected clearly and consistently in partner-facing communications.
  • Equip teams with the tools, guidance, and communications support needed to communicate clearly and consistently with partners while maintaining ownership of their partner relationships and program content.

Communication Systems, Tools & Enablement

• • Develop and maintain templates, toolkits, and resources to support staff in communicating effectively in their roles (e.g., presentations, updates, partner communications), in alignment with organizational brand standards.
  • Build and improve systems and processes that support how information is shared across the organization.
  • Partner with Business Operations to maintain internal communication platforms (e.g., SharePoint or equivalent), ensuring information is organized, accessible, and useful.
  • Develop communication standards, templates, and guidance for commonly used organizational materials.
  • Develop lightweight ways to assess whether key communications are reaching intended audiences and improving understanding, and use feedback to continuously improve communication practices.

Staff & Leadership Communication Support

• • Provide hands-on support to staff and leaders in preparing clear, effective presentations and communications.
  • Help establish lightweight standards and guidance for effective organizational communication.
  • Provide editing, coaching, and selective drafting support for high-impact leadership communications.
  • Support preparation for internal and external (non-media) speaking engagements.
  • Support communication aspects of staff engagement efforts in partnership with Human Resources and Learning & Belonging.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• • Participate in relevant leadership and departmental discussions to identify communication needs, understand decisions and context, and help translate them into clear messaging for staff.
  • Partner with Marketing & Communications to ensure alignment between internal/partner communication and external messaging and brand.
  • Collaborate with Strategy & Impact to ensure communication reflects strategic priorities.

Job Scope

• • Operates as an individual contributor with organization-wide visibility and influence
  • Focused on building and improving communication practices while executing key deliverables directly
  • Works independently and relies on partnership and strong working relationships to support alignment across teams
  • Does not own external communications strategy, brand, campaigns, or partner relationships. Works in partnership with Marketing & Communications on external messaging and with key internal teams to strengthen the effectiveness of agency network and community partner-facing communications.

Supervisory Responsibility

• • This role does not have direct supervisory responsibility

Specific Job Skills

• • Strong ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable communication
  • Superior writing, editing, and organizational communication skills
  • Ability to identify communication gaps and propose practical solutions
  • Strong organizational and project management skills
  • Comfort working across teams and supporting senior leaders
  • Ability to balance hands-on production work with improving systems and processes
  • Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to confidently and confidentially navigate sensitive or evolving issues
  • Commitment to equity and community-centered communication

Education and/or Experience

• • 4–6+ years of relevant experience in communications, organizational communications, employee engagement, or related roles
  • Experience in internal communications, organizational communication, or cross-functional work preferred.
  • Experience supporting leadership communication or organizational initiatives preferred.
  • Nonprofit experience preferred

Why Food Lifeline?

When you join Food Lifeline, you’re joining a team committed to collaboration, compassion, and our shared mission of ending hunger in Western Washington. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and growth, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and personal days
• Organization-wide time off from December 24 through January 1
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and learning opportunities
• A collaborative, mission-driven workplace where your work directly helps nourish communities across Western Washington

Ready to Join Food Lifeline?

Please review the full job description and apply electronically. Complete applications should include a resume and cover letter. This position will remain open until filled.

Food Lifeline is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and thrive. We strongly encourage candidates with lived experience related to food insecurity, poverty, or the communities we serve to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, we encourage you to let us know.

Join us in working toward a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.