VP of Communications

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY•Montgomery, NY

71d

About The Position

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. The role 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 aligned with fundraising, advocacy, programs, volunteer engagement, and community outreach. The Vice President builds and leads cross-functional teams, integrates messaging across departments, and develops high-impact, audience-focused, data-driven campaigns with measurable outcomes. The role advises executive leadership, oversees communications leaders and external creative partners, and represents the Food Bank in community and stakeholder settings. The position works in a typical office setting and may also involve exposure to extreme temperatures in a warehouse setting. Regional Food Bank is committed to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, or brand management.
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.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including extended periods of sitting, standing, bending, listening, talking, visual concentration, writing, and computer use; lifting should not normally exceed 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, public affairs, human services, healthcare, or government sectors.
Familiarity with food insecurity, hunger-relief efforts, nutrition assistance programs, and public policy.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities and strategic objectives.
Advise executive leadership on communications, brand reputation, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, communications risks, emerging issues, and reputation management.
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.
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 using 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.
Establish campaign goals, key performance indicators, and success metrics for major communications initiatives.
Develop measurement frameworks and monitor performance across earned media, digital engagement, social media, audience growth, brand awareness, advocacy participation, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising outcomes.
Analyze campaign performance using data, market insights, media metrics, and audience analytics; evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Foster continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making and ensure communications efforts contribute measurable value to organizational priorities.
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.
Oversee 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.
Provide strategic direction for social media and digital engagement efforts and ensure they support campaign objectives, community engagement, advocacy, fundraising, and brand awareness.
Oversee development of creative assets and multimedia content; supervise external creative providers and ensure alignment with organizational messaging and brand standards.
Evaluate emerging communications technologies and trends to strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Lead the organization’s storytelling strategy and guide content strategies supporting advocacy, fundraising, awareness, and engagement goals.
Ensure stories from agency partners, volunteers, donors, staff, and community members are incorporated into organizational communications.
Oversee internal communications that engage employees, volunteers, board members, and key stakeholders, promote effective information sharing, and support organizational culture and alignment.
Lead crisis communications planning and response; develop and maintain crisis communications policies, protocols, and procedures.
Coordinate stakeholder and media communications during emergencies and sensitive organizational matters, and protect the organization’s reputation through proactive issues management.
Directly supervise the Vice President of Marketing, Senior Director of Public Relations, and Social Media Manager; establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
Foster collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and organizational initiatives.
Represent the Food Bank at community meetings, conferences, media opportunities, and stakeholder engagements.
Maintain current professional and technical knowledge, apply strategic planning principles in departmental management, maintain a safe and organized work environment, adhere to the Employee Code of Conduct, handle confidential information discreetly, and perform other duties as assigned.