Communications Specialist

REPORTS TO: Senior Communications Manager

HOURS:

Full-Time, Exempt (typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with occasional morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate business needs, including events and media opportunities outside these hours – in such cases, flexible scheduling is available.)

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist is a strong communications generalist. They help to tell the organization’s story online, in print, and in person in ways that are creative, accessible, and appealing to a broad range of stakeholders including donors, partners, media, public, etc. They are responsible for a range of day-to-day communications tasks including sourcing content for and designing social media posts, newsletters, marketing collateral, fundraising solicitations, advocacy updates, and more. They work to inform, educate, and inspire engagement with Spoonfuls’ food recovery and hunger relief mission. This new role presents an exciting opportunity to be a part of an evolving Communications & Public Affairs team and a growing organization; Spoonfuls recently completed a rebrand and debuted its ambitious five-year strategic plan. Learn more at spoonfuls.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Digital communications

• Plans, sources, and develops written and visual content to support Spoonfuls’ multi-channel social media strategy

• Sources and drafts content for digital platforms (this includes working collaboratively with Spoonfuls’ staff and partners including going “on location” to capture content across Spoonfuls’ service region, Massachusetts, as needed)

• Conducts social listening, elevating important conversations, trends, and potential opportunities from social media to the team; engages with Spoonfuls’ audience on social media

• Supports upkeep of Spoonfuls’ blog as a platform for sharing impact stories and testimonials from partners; works closely with Spoonfuls’ frontline Food Recovery Team to generate photo, video, and other content from the road

• With direction from the Senior Communications Manager, develops content for, formats, and deploys other digital content (i.e. email solicitations, newsletters, etc.)

• Edits videos for digital (i.e. Reels)

• Supports Senior Communications Manager to achieve goals related to audience tracking, segmentation, and list hygiene

• Utilizes social review/scheduling tools (i.e. AirTable and Hootsuite) to efficiently share social content

• Makes as-needed WordPress website updates and performs quality checks on Spoonfuls’ website

Marketing & event communications

• Designs marketing materials using common design programs (i.e. Canva)

• Working closely with colleagues on the Development, Events, and Communications teams, designs event communications, including but not limited to invitations, slide decks, signage, and swag

• Promotes events, giving campaigns, etc. in line with communications goals and strategies

• Solicits content, including from Spoonfuls’ leadership, partners, and so on; captures photos and videos as needed at Spoonfuls’ events

Print communications

• Sources content for, writes, and formats direct mail, print newsletters, educational and informational communications

Administration

• With teammates, works to ensure that Spoonfuls’ brand voice and values are represented in communications

• May interface with and provide guidance to vendors such as photographers, videographers, and printers

• Conducts data entry for communications reporting; in absence of Senior Manager, reports out on and analyzes communications metrics

• Attends and participates actively in 1:1s and team and company meetings

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong communications generalist: must be able to write well, adhere to design principles, tackle design functions, and competently use communications tools and platforms, i.e. social sites, Constant Contact, Canva, WordPress, etc.

• Demonstrated track record of being able to give, take, and apply feedback and deliver high quality work on deadline

• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a hybrid work environment

• Reliable personal transportation to access our headquarters (in Newton, Massachusetts) as well as partner sites and other locations throughout the state in accordance with job responsibilities

• Someone with at least 2-3 years of recent, relevant professional experience

• A commitment to, and familiarity with, food and/or environmental justice issues preferred

• Bilingual English-Spanish language skills a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Typically, this role includes sitting for long periods of time. It can also include standing, walking, stooping, bending, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Our work environment is hybrid, reporting into our Newton, Massachusetts office twice weekly. The Specialist can also be expected to work “on location” in accordance with job responsibilities.