JOB SUMMARY:

The Public Relations Manager serves as the "face and voice" of Mid-Ohio Food Collective with the general public and other key community stakeholders. This position focuses on proactive outreach to both traditional and emerging media by developing and deploying dynamic communications strategies to educate and mobilize external audiences to support the Food Collective's vision, mission, and strategic priorities.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Develops and implements strategic external communications plans informed by customers voices in conjunction with SVP of Communications and other Food Collective associates to ensure the effective promotion of the organization, its five core assets and other programs, and compelling storytelling around food insecurity, research, trends, and root cause issues.
• Executes proactive media outreach plan and metrics, tracks media coverage to maximize results, including development of editorial calendar in partnership with entire Marketing team.
• Responsible for on-camera and on-air representation of the Food Collective including live TV, recorded spots, other video productions, and radio interviews.
• Partners with Communications Manager and SVP of Communications to develop, pitch, and place stories relevant to the Food Collective's work across the entire footprint and with national media partners.
• Maintains a comprehensive library of news stories and other coverage; scrapbooks all media advisories and releases.
• Establishes, maintains, and strengthens relationships and connections with key media outlets located throughout the Food Collective's 20-county footprint, seeking opportunities for positive coverage and ongoing community education.
• Creates, manages, and updates current media contact information for outreach efforts.
• Develops and implements a dedicated media strategy in collaboration with entire Marketing team for major campaigns including Hunger Action Month, Double Your Donation Day, and annual Spring Campaign to include strategically placed media coverage, customer interviews, editorial board meetings, LTEs, and op-ed pieces.
• Assists with development of crisis communications strategies with Communications and other MOFC senior leadership.
• Coordinates public relations activities with corporate and organizational partners interested in promoting their engagement with the Food Collective.
• Maintains the Food Collective's image and identity, acting as the company's spokesperson to various stakeholder groups through public speaking appearances, representation at community events, and providing tours of Food Collective operations.
• Partners with Social Media Manager to develop and implement web-based and social media campaigns, promotions, and messaging to expand awareness through branded website and social media networks.
• Collaborates to complete internal communication initiatives, such as internal newsletters, website, and intranet.
• Cultivates and maintains working contact list for go-to customers and volunteers for interviews, and tracks which stories they contribute to throughout the year.
• Helps prepare and coach other One Team Members, volunteers, and customers for interviews when necessary.
• Creates and routinely updates evergreen talking points and go-to data for interviews and other PR purposes.
• Participates in trainings, events, and other learning opportunities to stay current on media changes, public relations trends, and research.
• Collaborates with MOFC creative department to align public communications with a cohesive online brand experience, including vision, mission and values and strategic direction in all communications efforts.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Education and Certifications: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or related field required; Master's Degree preferred. APR Certification preferred. Must have a valid Driver's License.

Experience: At least three years of experience in communications, public relations and/or related marketing field. Experience in nonprofit a plus. In-depth knowledge and understanding of both traditional and emerging media platforms, and how they can be deployed in diverse outreach efforts. Experience building professional relationships with media outlet representatives. Experience in acting as a company spokesperson; comfortable and skilled in both broadcast and print media interviews.

Skills/Competencies: Strong written and verbal communications, project management and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to recommend, persuade and influence ways to facilitate communications with diverse audiences and to improve communications flow, execution, and deliverables both internally and externally. Must be able to represent the Food Collective with professionalism when interacting with stakeholders - including clients, partner agencies, community corporate, civic, and governmental partners, media, and staff.

JOB CONDITIONS:

Working Conditions: Normal office environment with weekly hybrid schedule. Position is on-call to respond to media opportunities when required. Travel is required. Must have reliable transportation. Applicants must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by date of hire to be considered for employment.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to the principal and essential function of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some associates assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of accountabilities, duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Any individual may be required to perform any other job-related activities or functions requested by his/her manager, subject to reasonable accommodation. Mid-Ohio Food Collective reserves the right to modify this job description to reflect changes in essential job duties made necessary by changing organizational needs.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.