Job: Pittsburgh Food Policy Council

Do you have what it takes to be the Operations and Communications Manager for the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council? View the job description below and send your resume and accompanying information to Info@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org!

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Executive Director

Job Title: Operations & Communications Manager

Status: Full-time, exempt

Organizational Description

The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) convenes over 80 member entities and 130 individuals in a growing ‘ecosystem’ of expertise, information, relationships, and resources Our members include governmental, non-profit, business, educational, cooperative, and agricultural stakeholders within the food system. The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) works to build a food system that benefits our communities, our economy and our environment in ways that are just, equitable and sustainable for all. We coordinate programs and projects and catalyze change through holistic, systems-level transformation. Guided by the collective impact model, we research and promote food, agricultural, land use and public health policies that expand local sustainable agriculture, equitable development, and access to healthy food, particularly in low-income communities. Since 2019, the PFPC is fiscally sponsored by The Community Foundation of the Alleghenies and has a small staff that works out of our new office located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood.

Job Summary

The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is pleased to announce our first full-time Operations & Communications Manager to join our team. This key position will be responsible for managing communications, outreach and day-to-day operations. Operations & Communications Manager will be a critical role for the Council as we publicly launch our countywide Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan this spring in coordination with our many partners.  

This role is both strategic and tactical, requiring the ability to think big while managing details, working collaboratively with the Council staff and network. The Operations & Communications Manager is a creative and energetic self-starter who is organized and proactively engages PFPC staff, leadership, and our network in communications, events, and community partnerships. The Operations & Communications Manager is someone who enjoys working independently and collaboratively as part of the team. This person will continuously explore ways to build the Council and share stories. A passion for food systems and food justice are important to the success of this role, though food systems experience is not required. This position will be responsible for managing members, interns, contractors, and vendors to support activities.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will include:

Outreach & Communications (60%)

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a communications strategy and implementation plan in concert with PFPC team;
• Manage all communications channels including staff and member contributions to the Council including our website and social media, proactively seeking content to share the work of the Council and its members and the food systems field in our region;
• Write and develop engaging materials about the PFPC for a variety of audiences (elected officials, nonprofits, businesses, etc) through both social and traditional media in coordination with PFPC team; Manage all aspects of communications including copywriting, graphic design/layout, photography and relationships with vendors. Specific tasks include but are not limited to our e-newsletters, website content including news, blog, and events calendar; online photo collections, etc.
• Assist Executive Director with development,  fundraising communications and events including writing of annual reports, funder updates and impact reporting, fundraising case for support boilerplates for grant-writing team, grant research and reports, pitch decks, and appeal letters and donor thank you letters;
• Work with the PFPC team to help shape external materials (presentations, reports, case studies),  and visual elements for events leading the design of materials and supporting to illustrate concepts working with a graphic designer or in-house;
• Work with the PFPC team and network to collect and share stories of the Council’s collective impact, projects, and events in a way that engages our varied stakeholders. Continually identify ways to enhance benefits for our membership and network and the PFPC through communications;
• Work closely with the PFPC team to support the execution of public-facing training and education campaigns and events, public-facing fundraising campaigns and appeals;
• Maintain and enhance branding standards to create a consistent and effective look in marketing materials; Make sure event concept and print materials are on message;
• Develop and nurture relationships with local media. Strive to gain the PFPC coverage in the local media, maintain records of media contacts and community coverage, and regularly update the Council’s media list;
• Improve and regularly update the PFPC and Food Action Plan websites, ensuring consistency with brand and messaging. Monitor and manage Council’s online presence and messaging;
• Represent and present the work of the PFPC at meetings, events, and conferences, as well as ensure the Council has a presence in the community through tabling at events and other opportunities, coordinating with staff, interns, and volunteers as needed;
• Keep up-to-date on emerging communications technologies that could help the Council promote its mission.

Operations (40%)

• Manage day-to-day operations of the PFPC office, including maintaining meeting schedules and calendars, supplies, and general inquiries;
• Improve processes and policies in support of organizational goals; Implement and manage operational plans; Coordinate, supervise and train event volunteers;
• Work with PFPC team to develop regular internship opportunities and procedures; receive and manage queries from students, collaborators and community partners;
• Manage planning of bimonthly full Council meetings and educational events; provide administrative support for the Steering Committee and Working Group meetings;
• Assist the Executive Director with Human Resource management; manage/support volunteers, interns, and new staff onboarding;
• Assist with financial management including expenses processing and serving as a liaison with our fiscal host and commercial landlord; Identify and manage event sponsors;
• Oversee event management and planning from concept to execution including facilitating the creation of event concept to developing a project/ event plan all while ensuring the plan is implemented on time and within budget;

Education, Experience and Skills

Relevant skills and experience include creative and strategic thinking, research, website and social media management,  persuasive writing and speaking, event logistics and project management skills. A strong candidate will have familiarity with food justice, policy, collective impact, and the Pittsburgh area nonprofit landscape. Lived experience highly valued.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in marketing, communications, community relations/engagement, business administration, public policy or related field
• Demonstrated success in communications and community engagements/organizing; experience with multi-stakeholder communications and working within a team; high level of comfort with social media and online community building; Experience managing public education campaigns, social media or marketing campaigns
• Experience planning and implementing special events and working with volunteers is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communicator and presenter, creative thinker and team player; positive, enthusiastic presence with good public relations skills;
• Passionate about storytelling and developing simple but compelling messaging
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction in organizational outreach and communications planning and implementation;
• Excellent project and operational management and organizational skills;
• Experience or knowledge of food systems a plus but not required; commitment to food justice a must;
• The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style and be ready to jump in to assist with any task at hand and will be comfortable in a self-directed, dynamic work environment- the ability to multitask; Delegate responsibilities effectively;
• High comfort level working in a diverse environment and strong community relationships a plus
• Proficiency in one or more of the following social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and/or other web-based software; knowledge of task management web-based programs like Asana and graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign a plus; qualified person will exhibit a willingness to learn

Defining Success in the First Year:

Working closely with the staff and network, successfully improve brand awareness and reach for the Council, organize professional, engaging, inclusive and vibrant community events, and build on existing partnerships. Contribute to deepen sense of unity, solidarity and collective impact through communication of demonstrated outcomes and rigorous engagement. Expand on the recognition of the PFPC for food system actions and thought leadership in our state and region.

Statement of Values / Equal Opportunity Employer

The PFPC believes that our current food system disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society — including people of color, people from low wealth and working-class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do and therefore strongly encourage applications from people with these lived experiences or who are members of these and other marginalized communities to apply.”

The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or belief.

Compensation & Work Environment

Pittsburgh Food Policy Council’s office is located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood. Staff are employees of The Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, our fiscal host. We have a comfortable office space with frequent member activity and lots of sunlight.

Target full-time annual salary is between $40,000 and $46,000 commensurate with experience. Eligible benefits include health, vision and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick leave. Retirement benefits available after 6-month work-aversary. Support of staff development through training opportunities and professional development.  This position is grant funded.

Salary and benefits to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience. Primarily daytime work hours with occasional evening and weekend events.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, professional references, samples of past work (writing, collateral design, press coverage or any relevant work that demonstrates your qualifications) to info@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org with the email subject “Operations & Communications Manager.”

In your cover letter, please describe your past experiences and/or efforts to advance social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Applications lacking any of the aforementioned documents will not be considered. If your qualifications and experience are a good fit for the position, you will be contacted to participate in the review and interview process.

For more information on Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, visit http://www.pittsburghfoodpolicy.org/

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED.