Director of Marketing and Communications

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Marketing and Communications, under the guidance of executive leadership of the Houston Food Bank (HFB), will oversee the development and execution of organization-wide marketing & communication strategies and develop an effective transfer of information to various audiences (both internal and external). This position is responsible for elevating awareness of HFB’s services and activities and supporting the successful cultivation and acquisition of necessary resources. This position leads inter-departmental, cross-functional teams, and acts as the departmental liaison throughout the organization. This role tracks and reports departmental metrics and manages the department's annual budget.

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and showing ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly.)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Must effectively carry out the essential duties and responsibilities of this position in a manner that consistently demonstrates Houston Food Bank’s mission and core values in a positive manner. 

1. Assumes responsibility for developing, managing, and executing ongoing public relations, marketing strategies, and activities that safeguard and promote the reputation of HFB.
2. Thoroughly understands the organization’s mission, vision, culture, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, strategic goals, and finances.
3. Provides communications expertise (written and verbal) in the following categories: media relations, programmatic communications, community relations, advertising and marketing, social media, and related areas.
4. Supports executive messaging, presentation opportunities, and spokesperson duties.
5. Develops proactive media relations strategies.
6. Prepares communications work plan that reflects year-round activities in media relations, web-based media, graphic design, print, and video production.
7. Assumes primary responsibility for relationships with representatives from media outlets. 
8. Stays abreast of local, regional, and national coverage of issues affecting food banks and related industries (i.e. farming, drought, etc.) and proactively prepares to respond to their possible impact as necessary. 
9. Serves as a thought leader and subject matter expert on external communication and industry trends and best practices.
10. Researches, writes, and distributes press materials to promote fair and positive media coverage of the organization (e.g., backgrounders, press releases, tip sheets, and advisories).
11. Leads the department in the development of strategies and execution of organizational website and social media initiatives. 
12. Ensures writing, editing, design, and production of public relations and marketing tools meet the expectations of the organization.
13. Manages organizational photography and videography. 
14. Ensures excellent customer service in response to requests and through quality products.
15. Creates opportunities to share organizational messages in the community at large.
16. Develops and maintains crisis communication plans and protocols to ensure timely and effective communication during a crisis.
17. Provides leadership to inter-departmental, cross-functional teams in identifying and securing implementation of communications strategy.
18. Demonstrates a complete understanding of all policies and procedures concerning marketing and communications activities with emphasis on privacy and release of information.
19. Responds to media-initiated inquiries and requests for information promptly.
20. Assumes responsibility for accurate and timely tracking and reporting of departmental metrics.
21. Monitors projects, impact, and output of Communications staff to the organization.
22. Supports the executive team in collecting and analyzing metrics.
23. Creates and maintains departmental budget in alignment with the annual budget planning process.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages two (2) or more functions, and or vendors or contractors, by providing direction, guidance and/or oversight. Develops and maintains roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Practices performance management in support of employee development, and perform administrative duties associated with being a people manager. Responsibilities include interviewing, planning, assigning, directing work, and resolving problems. Responsibilities also include sponsoring and participating in and/or supporting project teams sponsored by other management team members.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or other related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in marketing, branding, and/or communications. 
• Have proven experience in a Director of Communications role, preferably within a complex organization.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

•  Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Proficiency in graphic design and web-based software and Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, or equivalent products
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful communications strategy 
• Fluency in social media and web trends and best practices
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with exceptional project management skills
• Have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Possess strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
• Ability and willingness to participate in activities outside of a traditional (Monday -Friday, 8 am -5 pm) workday.

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies, state, and federal law. Ensure compliance with regulatory, fundraising, and reporting requirements, HFB gift-related policies and procedures, and ensure ethical compliance, as required by public relations, communications, and/or journalistic professionals.

COMPETENCIES:

Cultivates Innovation / Instill Trust / Drives Engagement / Situational Adaptability / Balance Stakeholders / Strategic Agility / Strategic Mindset / Builds Networks / Builds Effective Teams / Financial Acumen / Drives Vision & Purpose / Demonstrates Self Awareness 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The employee must frequently lift 10 pounds. The employee must occasionally travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to freezers, enclosed and/or tight spaces, wet and/or humid conditions, and areas in which moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals are present, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be occasionally exposed to loud noise levels (e.g., horns, fans).

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Local travel associated with meeting donors, and attending speaking engagements, is required for this position (up to 20% of the time and on a domestic basis). 

This role supports all hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities as necessary and may require flexibility occasionally (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.