Storytelling Manager

What We’re Looking For:

FoodCorps seeks a Storytelling Manager to gather, organize, and share stories of impact across various communications channels. The ideal candidate is an excellent writer and editor; a skilled researcher and interviewer; an organized and efficient project manager; and a thoughtful storyteller. This highly collaborative role will focus primarily on identifying, cultivating, and writing stories of impact for FoodCorps’ digital platforms, donor communications, advocacy materials, case studies, and other channels that advance our work. The ideal candidate is familiar with asset-based storytelling principles, equally comfortable pitching stories and executing on others’ ideas, and eager to find creative ways to showcase FoodCorps’ work. This position reports to the Director of Communications and will work closely with the entire Marketing & Communications team. This is a full-time, remote position and will require some travel (up to 30%).

Who You Are:

You are passionate about child nutrition, education, and food, and are eager to share FoodCorps’ story with a wide range of audiences. You are building your career in strategic communications and content, and eager to grow your skills as a storyteller for social change. You’re a strong writer, and you excel at producing crisp, clear copy for all kinds of platforms. You’re confident when meeting new people, interviewing and researching, and getting to know what makes a community tick. You are highly motivated, a clear communicator, and both design- and detail-oriented. You are highly organized and are energized by managing complex projects. You are decisive, efficient, and comfortable giving and receiving feedback to get the results you need. You are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adjusting your to-do list as priorities shift. You suggest improvements to existing processes and workflows, and can seamlessly run multiple projects at the same time. You are creative, curious, and enthusiastic about telling ethical, asset-based stories that motivate audiences to act.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Story Gathering (40%)
• • Build relationships with FoodCorps members and program participants, FoodCorps Programs staff, school-based partner staff, and other stakeholders to keep a pulse on news, events, and other storytelling opportunities 
  • Provide onsite or offsite support during content-gathering site visits, including (but not limited to) identifying storytelling opportunities, interviewing story subjects, advising on story framing, and administrative tasks as necessary
  • Maintain an organized, searchable story bank of quotes, anecdotes, and other written stories featuring FoodCorps and our partners’ impact
  • Review corps member activity logs every week to identify story leads, and follow up to develop, write, store, and place stories
  • Identify opportunities to interview outside experts, hire contract writers, bring in staff or corps member guest writers, or otherwise elevate FoodCorps content with external support 
• Content Development (30%)
• • Write, edit, and adapt materials to support the MarComms team, including (but not limited to) writing and editing blog posts; editing and proofreading a variety of publications; and editing content for different platforms
  • Publish articles to the Skillet (FoodCorps’ blog) using Wordpress, and support the Director of Communications in maintaining it as a story hub 
  • Synthesize presentations, interviews, videos, and other source material into bite-sized narratives for use across platforms 
  • Support the Director of Communications in gathering content for and producing the Annual Report
  • Maintain the MarComms content calendar and proactively identify opportunities to share existing stories or capture new ones 
  • Steward FoodCorps’ brand identity across communications
  • Support FoodCorps staff and corps members in capturing and leveraging stories with maximum impact
• Platform Management and Administration (30%)
• • Create and maintain a dashboard tracking blog content, earned media, and other impact stories 
  • Monitor what stories we’re sharing and where, ensuring equitable representation of programs, people, and communities across FoodCorps platforms 
  • Manage contracts, process invoices, and serve as point-of-contact for contractors supporting specific content projects
  • Support FoodCorps’ PR work by contributing ideas, collaborating with external contractors, and incorporating PR opportunities into MarComms content plans 
  • Create and maintain project plans for cross-team projects and support team members in adhering to deadlines and storytelling best practices 
  • Stay informed on best practices for nonprofit storytelling, SEO/AEO, and other industry trends 

Skills of the Ideal Candidate:

• 3-5 years experience as a communications coordinator, reporter, copywriter, or in another communications or storytelling role 
• Superb skills as a writer, editor, and storyteller
• Experience adhering to different style guides (AP, Chicago, in-house) and other writing conventions and systems 
• Basic fact-checking and research skills, with a desire to grow 
• Familiarity with Wordpress or another CMS 
• Strong time management, project management, and organizational skills
• An eye for detail and brand consistency, and a commitment to accuracy, thoroughness, and best practices
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with comfort conducting on-camera interviews and collaborating with contractors and diverse community partners
• Ability to give and receive constructive, specific feedback  
• Enthusiasm for FoodCorps’ work, with interest or professional experience in food, health, education, and/or child nutrition
• Enjoys working collaboratively with a close-knit, multi-skilled team

Measures of Success:

By the end of Year 1, the Storytelling Manager will have:

• Grown, refined, and presented to staff an organized and accessible story bank and guidelines for using it
• Created a story-tracking dashboard and a cadence for maintaining it  
• Learned where and how to find stories that demonstrate FoodCorps’ impact across different areas of our work
• Supported at least one content-gathering site visit 
• Demonstrated the ability to write, edit, and frame stories adhering to FoodCorps’ brand, voice, and style, and through an asset-based lens 
• Built relationships with staff members across departments, especially place-based Programs staff and corps members 

Thriving at FoodCorps

In addition to generous medical benefits and an annual $3000 401(k) matching, FoodCorps provides:

Time Away:

Our work is both vital and demanding. FoodCorps recognizes this and provides ample time to step away and recharge, including:

• half-day Fridays
• 5 weeks of accrued time off
• 12 federal holidays (AND your birthday!)
• 2-week winter break
• a sabbatical policy

Family Planning:

As an organization that supports youth development, our family policies need to match our values. To that end, we offer a wide range of health, wellness and medical benefits.

How to Apply:

Applications will be accepted until a match is made. Please note that incomplete applications (applications without all requested materials; ie. cover letter, writing or portfolio examples, etc.) may not be considered. 

FoodCorps is committed to reflecting the rich experiences, identities, and customs of the communities we partner with across the country in our workforce, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. We welcome any and all candidates who identify with our mission and values to submit an application for consideration. FoodCorps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees as required by law.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process, including but not limited to the application and interview process.