Marketing & Communications Manager

Marketing & Communications Manager

Department: Communications, Engagement, & Data

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Location: Seattle, WA.

Pay Rate: $82,924.00 - $89,051/year

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.

People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.

OUR VISION

Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.

OUR MISSION

FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.

OUR VALUES

• Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand. We are honest, even when it is difficult.
• Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
• Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
• Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
• Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
• Growth: We are a learning organization. We invest in continuous improvement and growth.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This position manages the development and execution of storytelling and content across digital, print, and social platforms, amplifying the FareStart mission and engaging diverse audiences. This position drives content creation and editorial planning while supporting broader marketing and communications initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Develop and execute communication and content approaches that align with the organization’s strategic goals, amplifies the mission, and highlights the impact of the job training programs, social enterprises, and community initiatives.
• Create and manage high-quality, compelling content, including blog articles, newsletters, reports, event materials, flyers, brochures, videos, and other storytelling assets, that engage diverse audiences across digital, print, and social platforms.
• Oversee editorial and external communications calendars, ensuring timely, consistent, and audience-focused content across all channels; manage and update story library.
• Ensure all messaging reflects diversity, equity, and inclusion, amplifying the voices of the communities FareStart serves and fostering a sense of belonging across marketing and communication platforms.
• Produce engaging content for digital channels, including website, blog, and social media, translating strategic objectives into measurable growth in readership, subscribers, followers, and engagement; demonstrated understanding of SEO and GEO strategies.
• Collaborate across teams to identify, develop, and share stories that highlight FareStart’s programs, social enterprises, fundraising initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and advocacy efforts.
• Plan and execute content for special events, including coordinating speakers, developing scripts, and talking points, mission content for collateral and signage, and producing videos or other multimedia materials.
• Analyze content and communications metrics to assess the effectiveness of communication and content strategies, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Support internal communications initiatives and projects, helping teams share information effectively and consistently across the organization.
• Manage marketing and communications resources, including budgets, vendors, and volunteer contributors, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and four (4) or more years in managing marketing/communications and/or public relations experience; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing marketing and communication approaches to persuade, engage, and get positive attention.
• Demonstrated advanced skills in writing, editing, and proofreading, including familiarity with AP writing style.
• Demonstrated skills in photography, video capture, and basic graphic creation for digital and print content.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality results.
• Ability to manage marketing and communication resources effectively, including overseeing budgets, coordinating vendors, and guiding volunteer contributors to ensure high-quality, cost-effective project delivery.
• Experience with WordPress or similar platforms, Hootsuite, and comfortable using AI tools to streamline content creation and workflows.
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, within diverse teams and environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with audiences of different backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience with purpose and inclusivity. Ability to disseminate information effectively to appropriate levels.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolutions skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
• Ability to evaluate problems and effectively solve them in a timely manner. Ability to respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity. Respond appropriately to conflict.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, work with others, and coach employees to develop their full potential. Provide helpful, behaviorally specific feedback to others. Regularly meet with employees to review their development progress and express confidence in their abilities to be successful. Engage in open and honest communication.
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and other design platforms.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position is exposed to a typical office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There may be a combination of remote work and onsite work dependent upon business needs.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• This position is regularly required to sit. Frequently required to stand or walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• This position requires close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• This position may be required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• This position may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS

• Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time-off (5 weeks first year of employment)
• Paid holidays, including up 2 floating holidays
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Medical (including vision), Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Employee discounts at FareStart retail social enterprises
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free ORCA pass

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers.
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees.

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at: www.farestart.org/about

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.