Communications Manager

Communications Manager

Loaves & Fishes Overview

Loaves & Fishes is a nonprofit organization established in 1982 with a mission to provide healthy meals to Minnesotans in areas where the need is greatest. Serving free meals across Minnesota, no questions asked. We believe every person, regardless of socioeconomic, cultural, religious, or ethnic background, deserves to have their basic needs for food, dignity, and respect met. Our work is powered by donors, volunteers, and partners who share that belief.

Position Summary

We are looking for a strategic, hands-on Communications Manager to lead the Loaves & Fishes communications team. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, you will own our brand and the stories we tell to guests, donors, volunteers, partners, and the media.

You will set communications strategy, produce and oversee high-quality content across digital and print, lead the annual Impact Report, support signature events, and after your first 90 days, supervise our Social Media & Content Specialist.

The ideal candidate is an excellent writer and designer, a steady project manager, and a collaborative partner who tells stories about food insecurity with dignity and accuracy.

Responsibilities: Strategy, Brand & Collaboration

• Develop and own the annual communications plan and editorial calendar across web, email, social media, and print
• Steward the Loaves & Fishes brand; maintain brand and style guidelines and ensure consistency across all materials, sites, and partners
• Partner with Advancement and Operations leadership to align messaging with fundraising, volunteer, and program goals
• Build workflows, approvals, and backup coverage; manage print, mailing, photography, and design vendors
• Supervise the Social Media & Content Specialist beginning after the first 90 days, including goal-setting, coaching, and regular check-ins, so every channel tells one consistent story.

Content, Storytelling & Impact Reporting

• Gather and tell stories from guests, volunteers, site coordinators, donors, and partners, always with consent and dignity
• Convey the reality of food insecurity in Minnesota, backed by current data, meal counts, and guest survey feedback
• Write, design, and edit newsletters, one-pagers, press releases, and collateral using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and brand guidelines
• Own the annual Impact Report from data collection with Operations, Advancement, and Finance through print, digital distribution, and repurposing

Campaigns, Events & Donor Communications

• Lead campaign strategy, key messages, and timelines for appeals, Give to the Max Day, and matching gift campaigns; write core email and print pieces and approve content across channels
• Brief the Social Media & Content Specialist on social execution for campaigns and events
• Create promotion plans, materials, and recaps for signature events and volunteer and donor appreciation, in coordination with Advancement and the Community Engagement Coordinator
• Support donor stewardship with the Stewardship Manager, including thank-you materials, donor updates, and Nourishment Network messaging
• Produce volunteer recruitment and corporate partnership materials

Digital, Media & Evaluation

• Maintain web content, including site listings and news, and advise on website strategy
• Plan and manage email marketing, including segmentation, automation, and list health
• Set social media goals with the Social Media & Content Specialist, who leads day-to-day posting and community management
• Serve as a media contact; respond to inquiries, pitch stories, and prepare staff for interviews
• Track web, email, social, and campaign analytics in a monthly report

30/60/90 Day Goals: First 30 days

• Meet one-on-one with the Director of Advancement, Executive Director, Director of Operations and Programming, Stewardship Manager, Community Engagement Coordinator, Programs Manager, and Social Media & Content Specialist
• Visit Community Meal Locations, Community Distribution, and our Commissary Kitchen to understand our programs and meet Site Coordinators, volunteers, and guests
• Review brand guidelines, the editorial calendar, past newsletters, campaigns, and the most recent Impact Report
• Learn the year's communications calendar, and set up a weekly check-in and shared campaign calendar with the Social Media & Content Specialist

Days 31–60

• Take ownership of the e-newsletter, print newsletter, and donor communications schedule
• Lead at least one campaign or appeal with the Director of Advancement, from strategy and approvals through results reporting
• Draft the Impact Report plan: timeline, data sources, story list, and owners
• Map the year's events with the Director of Advancement and build a standard promotion and recap toolkit
• Set up a monthly communications dashboard covering web, email, social, and campaign metrics
• Begin Impact Report production: gather data, collect stories, and draft the outline

Days 61–90

• Present a communications plan for the next 6–12 months to the Director of Advancement, with goals and determine success metrics
• Lead communications for at least one campaign from promotion through after campaign recap
• Update brand guidelines and templates where gaps exist
• Pitch at least two stories to Twin Cities or greater Minnesota media
• Take on supervision of the Social Media & Content Specialist at day 90, with shared goals, a one-on-one schedule, and a transition plan agreed with the Director of Advancement.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field
• Equivalent professional experience may substitute for a degree

Experience

• 4+ years of professional communications or marketing experience, preferably in a nonprofit
• A portfolio showing writing, editing, and visual design work
• Experience leading campaigns, appeals, or donor communications from plan to results
• Experience managing projects across teams, vendors, and volunteers
• Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with an eye for clear, accessible language
• Strong visual design skills and a working understanding of brand standards
• Knowledge of nonprofit communications, fundraising, and donor stewardship practices
• Strong organization; able to manage multiple deadlines and work well under pressure
• Collaborative and self-directed; works well independently and on a hybrid team
• Commitment to telling stories about food insecurity with consent and dignity

Preferred

• Experience producing an impact report or annual report
• Event promotion or event communications experience
• Media relations experience in Minnesota
• Web content management and Google Analytics experience
• Experience working with vulnerable populations

Platforms

• Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and scheduling tools
• Canva and Adobe Creative Suite
• Mailchimp and Bloomerang
• Notion, Egnyte, Microsoft 365
• Google Analytics

How you work: collaborative, detail-oriented, a problem-solver, approachable and friendly, eager to learn, and committed to the Loaves & Fishes mission.

Benefits

• 14 days of paid time off (PTO) accrued in year one
• 9 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• 401(k) eligibility after 90 days, with a 3% employer contribution
• Hybrid schedule set with your supervisor

Work environment

This role works primarily in an office setting, at the Loaves & Fishes office or remotely. It regularly requires sitting, standing, talking, hearing, moving around the office, and using a computer. Site visits take place routinely. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

How to apply

Email a cover letter, resume, and 2–3 work samples to m franz@loavesandfishesmn.org . Please include at least one visual piece you designed, such as a newsletter, appeal, flyer, or social graphic. We'd love to see a portfolio if you have one; a link is welcome.

This description outlines the general nature of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties.

Loaves & Fishes is an equal opportunity employer.