Event and Communications Manager

The New York Common Pantry reduces hunger while promoting dignity, health and self-sufficiency. As an integral part of a successful development and communications department, the Event and Communications Manager will be a strong, precise writer, storyteller, and strategic thinker able to relate to those we serve to share the value of our work with the broader public. This person is also responsible for managing, planning and executing fundraising and “friendraising” events throughout the year and assisting with and promoting programmatic events. This is an externally facing role.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Development and Communications and directly supervises a Social Media Associate.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communications Strategy – with the executive director, senior director of development and communications, and other senior staff members as appropriate, develops a print and digital communications strategy to complement our organizational and fundraising strategies.

• External Communications – writes and edits newsletters, emails, invitations, press releases, presentations and other communications including annual end of year fundraising campaign. Works with social media associate to develop content and messaging for digital platforms. Works with executive, senior directors and outside consultants (as appropriate) to manage any crisis or issues that may arise.

• Media Engagement – liaises with industry press to publicize programs, events, op-eds and advocacy efforts. Coordinates inquiries and visits by press and media.

• Design Management – coordinates and manages external consultants on campaigns and projects

• Marketing Support – collaborates with organizational leadership, program and development staff to create and refine marketing materials, presentations and annual reports. May develop cause related marketing for specific campaigns.

• Community Outreach – liaise with our staff, volunteers, participants and members to collect stories and photos/videos; partner with other key staff members to support advocacy efforts, including work with elected officials and other initiatives.

• Events – coordinate fundraising events, including management of donor/vendor tracking for annual Fill The Bag Benefit, annual friendraiser event, family volunteer events. Plan, promote and carry our smaller events like naming ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, program events, etc. Serve as main point of contact for event consultants. 

• Board Development Committee – participate in development committee board meetings and junior board meetings when necessary. Work with Fill the Bag benefit committee and other ad hoc board event committees.

• Manage – directly supervise and manage a social media associate

Qualifications:

• Skilled listener, with the ability to discover and condense stories from the communities we serve, donors, volunteers, board members, etc. and tailor messaging accordingly.

• Sound judgment, with the ability to independently manage external and internal relationships with staff and key stakeholders

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create compelling narratives that advance NYCPs story across a variety of platforms.

• Highly organized administrator with flexibility, strong attention to detail, ability to create and improve processes and systems, project-management skills, follow through and ability to problem solve.

• Ability to take initiative and be hands on with a strong collaborative and team building focus

• Knowledge of event and communications tools for in-person and virtual events (Eventbrite, Mailchimp, Zoom, Wordpress etc.) a plus

• 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible event planning, logistic and executive experience including for fundraising events of 350+ attendees as well as communications experience, ideally within a development framework.

Location and Schedule:

This position will be a mix between in office at our East Harlem Pantry at 8 E109^th Street, other NYCP sites as needed, and remote work. Typical hours are Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm. Some evening and weekend work is required.

NY Common Pantry is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.