VP of Communications

Job Description

Job Title: Vice President of Communications

Reports to: Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer

Supervisory Responsibilities: Vice President of Marketing; Senior Director of Public Relations; Social Media Manager; communications contractors and consultants, including graphic designers, photographers, videographers, writers, agencies, and other creative service providers

Status: Full-time

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, or brand management required. Demonstrated success leading integrated communications and marketing campaigns with measurable outcomes. Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide initiatives. Strong expertise in strategic communications, campaign development, media relations, brand management, digital engagement, and stakeholder communications. Exceptional leadership, writing, presentation, relationship-building, and project management skills. Experience advising executive leadership and managing complex communications initiatives. Strong analytical skills and experience using metrics to evaluate performance and inform strategy. Valid New York State Driver's License required. Preferred experience includes work in nonprofit, advocacy, public affairs, human services, healthcare, or government sectors, as well as familiarity with food insecurity, hunger-relief efforts, nutrition assistance programs, and public policy.

Physical Requirements: This position works in a typical office setting but may be exposed to extreme temperatures in a warehouse setting. There may be extended periods of sitting, standing, bending, listening, talking, visual concentration, writing, and computer use. This position would normally have routine opportunities to alter physical position or change eye focus. Lifting should not normally exceed 30 pounds.

Position Summary: The Vice President of Communications is the Regional Food Bank's senior communications strategist, responsible for leading integrated communications efforts that advance the organization's mission, strengthen its reputation, and increase public awareness of food insecurity across the region. This position provides strategic leadership for marketing, public relations, media relations, social media, brand management, storytelling, internal communications, digital engagement, and public affairs, while overseeing enterprise-wide campaigns that align organizational priorities across fundraising, advocacy, programs, volunteer engagement, and community outreach. As an experienced leader, the Vice President builds and leads cross-functional teams, integrates messaging across departments, and develops high-impact, audience-focused, data-driven campaigns that achieve measurable organizational outcomes.

• Strategic Communications Leadership:

Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities and strategic objectives.

Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on communications, brand reputation, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement.

Position the Food Bank as a leading voice on food insecurity, hunger relief, nutrition assistance, and related public policy issues.

Identify opportunities to increase organizational visibility, influence, and public engagement.

• Campaign Strategy & Cross-Functional Leadership:

Lead the planning, development, and execution of enterprise-wide communications campaigns.

Convene cross-functional teams to align messaging and campaign objectives across advocacy, fundraising, programs, volunteer engagement, development, and community outreach.

Develop integrated campaign strategies that leverage marketing, public relations, social media, storytelling, digital engagement, media relations, and public affairs.

Ensure campaigns are audience-centered, strategically aligned, and supported by measurable objectives.

• Campaign Measurement & Performance Analytics:

Establish campaign goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and success metrics for all major communications initiatives.

Develop measurement frameworks that assess performance across earned media, digital engagement, social media, audience growth, brand awareness, advocacy participation, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising outcomes.

Monitor and analyze campaign performance using data, market insights, media metrics, and audience analytics.

Evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies and provide recommendations for improvement.

Ensure communications efforts contribute measurable value toward organizational priorities and strategic goals.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement through data-informed decision making.

• Communications, Marketing & Brand Oversight:

Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Vice President of Marketing, Senior Director of Public Relations, and Social Media Manager.

Oversee the integration of marketing, public relations, digital communications, and stakeholder engagement efforts.

Protect and strengthen the organization's brand identity and public reputation.

Manage communications contractors, agencies, consultants, and creative partners.

• Public Relations & Media Relations:

Provide strategic oversight of media relations, public affairs, thought leadership, and external communications.

Identify opportunities to elevate the Food Bank through earned media, speaking engagements, partnerships, and community leadership opportunities.

Serve as an organizational spokesperson as appropriate.

Guide communications strategies supporting advocacy, public policy, and community engagement initiatives.

• Social Media, Digital Engagement & Creative Services:

Provide strategic direction for the organization's social media and digital engagement efforts.

Ensure social media initiatives support campaign objectives, community engagement, advocacy efforts, fundraising initiatives, and brand awareness.

Oversee the development of creative assets and multimedia content that strengthen campaign performance and audience engagement.

Supervise external creative service providers and ensure alignment with organizational messaging and brand standards.

Evaluate emerging communications technologies and trends to strengthen organizational effectiveness.

• Storytelling & Content Strategy:

Lead the organization's storytelling strategy to communicate impact, outcomes, and community needs.

Ensure compelling stories from agency partners, volunteers, donors, staff, and community members are incorporated into organizational communications.

Guide development of content strategies that support advocacy, fundraising, awareness, and engagement goals.

• Internal Communications:

Oversee internal communications strategies that engage employees, volunteers, board members, and key stakeholders.

Promote effective information sharing and alignment with organizational priorities.

Support organizational culture initiatives through strategic internal communications.

• Crisis Communications & Reputation Management:

Lead organizational crisis communications planning and response efforts.

Develop and maintain crisis communications policies, protocols, and procedures.

Advise executive leadership on communications risks, emerging issues, and reputation management.

Coordinate stakeholder and media communications during emergencies and sensitive organizational matters.

Protect and strengthen the organization's reputation through proactive issues management.

• Leadership & Operations:

Directly supervise the Vice President of Marketing, Senior Director of Public Relations, and Social Media Manager.

Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations.

Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and organizational initiatives.

Represent the Food Bank at community meetings, conferences, media opportunities, and stakeholder engagements.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain current professional and technical knowledge.
• Apply strategic planning principles in departmental management.
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment.
• Adhere to the Food Bank's Employee Code of Conduct.
• Handle confidential information with discretion.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

Regional Food Bank is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We expect every member of the Food Bank to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve. The Regional Food Bank complies with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly, and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees.