Outreach and Communications Manager

Position Summary

The Center for Ecoliteracy is seeking an Outreach and Communications Manager with a passion for the written word and zeal for fostering connections that expand our program impact and extend our funding support. Our programs have demonstrated successful models that serve freshly prepared meals made with locally-grown food and educate students about the food system and its connection to the environment. We do this by maintaining a comprehensive network of educators, school food service directors, policy advocates, program partners, and financial supporters. This position seeks a motivated individual who can communicate to diverse stakeholder groups and cultivate relationships within this ecosystem of collaborators to support students gaining the knowledge, skills, and values to contribute to a healthy future for their communities and the planet.

This role will work with a cross-functional team to execute high visibility initiatives and help bring our vision and story to life, all while driving awareness and increasing engagement from prospective funders, partners, and program beneficiaries. It calls for someone able to capture the narrative of complex systems change and translate it into clear and compelling content, leading to engaging calls to action. It requires someone to communicate with multiple audiences, manage multiple communication channels, write copy for stories and case studies, op-eds, captivating letters to donors, grant proposals, and reports.

Personal and/or professional interests or experience in sustainable food systems, food security, climate change, equity, education, and their intersection with the public school system are beneficial. We welcome all passionate candidates who choose to focus on this issue. 

The Outreach and Communications Manager is a full-time, exempt position. This position reports to the Executive Director and will coordinate closely with members of the cross-functional team within the organization.

COVID-19 Precautions: At the time of this announcement our staff is working remotely at least through March 31, 2021. Interviews for this position will be conducted via Zoom. This role requires proficiency in virtual tools for co-working, meeting, and facilitating virtual events.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and execute an effective multi-channel communications strategy to reach a diverse range of media channels, partners, and prospective funders.
• Craft a strategy to research and achieve development outreach and communications objectives, working both independently and collaboratively with supporting cross-functional staff to achieve them.
• Write clear, compelling stories, case studies, op-eds, newsletters, letters to donors, and contribute to grant proposals and reporting. 
• Support staff on strategies that foster relationships with targeted external audiences by developing, managing, and nurturing external partnerships, sponsorships, coalitions, and community relationships.
• Collaborate with staff to report measurable outcomes that support organizational objectives.
• Enhance visibility and awareness of our programs by contributing to ongoing web content and managing our social media team.
• Represent the organization at public events (virtual and in-person).
• Manage outreach and communications projects, coordinating staff and consultants. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Public Relations, Communications, or Marketing.
• Minimum two years’ experience in marketing, outreach, or communications positions.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and execute comprehensive strategies and contribute content to multi-channel communications efforts for a variety of target audiences.
• Strong writing skills (copywriting and storytelling). Ability to take complex concepts and transform them into compelling content for multiple audiences. Proven track record in developing compelling messages to a variety of audiences.
• Experience managing and executing campaigns on all mainstream and growing social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Research skills that may be applied to policy, public health, or environmental organizing and advocacy efforts.
• Computer skills including the Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Slack, and other cloud-based collaboration systems. Salesforce experience would be helpful. The Center for Ecoliteracy uses Apple devices in the work environment.
• Ability to coordinate deadlines and manage competing priorities using project management best practices, executing assignments with attention to detail and adherence to specifications.
• Flexible as a team player; strong in interpersonal skills who offers assistance to others when the need arises and shows ability to work cross-functionally to gain consensus.
• Ability to work in a small team environment with willingness to wear several hats.
• Ability to work independently, problem-solve, take initiative, set priorities, and exercise good judgment.

Additional Preferred but not Required Skills

• Comfort with and ability to facilitate virtual meetings.
• Conversational proficiency in a second language that is widely-used in California.

Equity Statement

The Center for Ecoliteracy supports a culture that prioritizes integrity, high professional standards, and working successfully with diverse colleagues, program beneficiaries, and community partners. This includes active participation in promoting healthy workplace culture through organizational diversity and program assessment for equity and inclusion. We strive to build a culture of cooperation and mutual support and value flexibility, resilience, optimism, curiosity, and a sense of shared purpose.

How to Apply

• Please be sure to include a personalized cover letter and writing samples with your resume to jobs@ecoliteracy.org. 
• Interviews will be conducted in January. It is advisable to submit materials in advance for consideration.
• The Center for Ecoliteracy is a non-profit organization with competitive salaries and employee benefits.

The Center for Ecoliteracy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability.

About the Center
Founded in 1995, the Center for Ecoliteracy advances ecological education in K–12 schools and is recognized for fostering leadership and systems change, pioneering work with school food systems and garden education, and integrating ecological principles and sustainability into school curricula.
www.ecoliteracy.org
www.californiafoodforcaliforniakids.org