Media and Communications Manager

About the job

Anti-oppressive statement

Foodrise is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.

Read our full Equity, Justice and Anti-oppression statement.

Inclusive Recruitment

We have an opt-in Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme for candidates who declare a disability and/or are a person of colour and meet the essential criteria of the role profile. The scheme aims to provide a first-stage interview for candidates who meet the essential criteria of the role and opt in to the scheme.

If you would like to be considered under this scheme you must meet the essential minimum criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. You should take time to provide examples that you meet each of the essential criteria in your cover letter. Please ensure you select the relevant tick box on the application page ‘Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme’.

We are always happy to speak to candidates informally about the role before applying and encourage you to do so by emailing jobs@foodrise.org.uk.

About Us

Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice.

We take bold action to uncover the root causes of injustice in our food system and expose how corporate power exploits people and the planet, while building truly just and resilient alternatives from the ground-up.

We speak truth to power. We take risks. We act where and when others won’t.

From launching legal action and producing hard-hitting research to working directly with local communities, we drive systemic change across food and farming, powered by grassroots energy and backed by the facts.

We exist to say what others won’t, do what others don’t, and never settle for “it can’t be done”. Change is possible, and we are rising to make it happen.

We are based in the UK and the Netherlands. See more about us on our website.

About the Role

This role leads all aspects of Foodrise’s communications, ensuring our campaigns reach key audiences, drive systemic change in the food system and achieve our new strategic goals:

• Dismantling the animal industrial complex and supporting the transition to plant-rich food
• Eroding the social licence of large supermarkets and building alternative food economies

You will develop and implement a media and communications strategy, build our media profile, oversee digital channels, and act as guardian of our brand. This includes centring communities at the heart of campaigns, building our public profile with key audiences including journalists, developing our range of allies, reflecting our understanding of historical injustice in the food system, and fostering an experimentation and learning culture. This role will also oversee all website and social media channels, working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure communications are built into campaigns from the outset to enhance reach and potential.

This role would suit an experienced communications professional who is excited to think deeply about the way communications can support systemic change in the food sector. Experience with managing relationships with journalists and media outlets, identifying and pursuing stories, managing change, and contributing to organisational learning will be critical.

Job Description

Media Relations & Press

• Developing our media and communications strategy to meet our new strategic objectives.
• Building relationships with journalists and social media professionals.
• Identifying and developing new hooks and stories to pitch to the media from across Foodrise’s portfolio of work. Pitching these stories to key journalists alongside campaigners where relevant.
• Drafting media materials including pitch documents, press releases and Q&A documents.
• Supporting senior staff in drafting of quotes and opinion pieces.
• Preparing colleagues ahead of media interviews.
• Managing external PR support where relevant.

Brand & Channels

• Develop a social media strategy and oversee its implementation, coordinating across our campaigns.
• Overseeing our communications channels, working with other staff and external consultants to ensure our channels reflect the diversity of Foodrise’s work and contribute to meeting our strategic objectives.
• Overseeing our Engaging Networks software and exploring transitioning to a new system.
• Acting as guardian of Foodrise’s brand and ensuring its consistent application to every aspect of our communications work.

Communications in Foodrise’s Wider Work

• Advising and working with campaigners to ensure communications and public visibility are at the heart of all of Foodrise’s work.
• Acting as a quality controller and adviser on all communications outputs from across the team to ensure that form and content are as consistent, effective and creative as possible.
• Managing sub-contractors as necessary to deliver high-quality content in a timely manner.
• Ensure all our communications reflect our approach to anti-oppressive practiceMonitoring and tracking impact of Foodrise’s communications outputs.
• Managing the communications budget.
• Ensuring all communications reflect organisational policies and GDPR.
• Any other relevant tasks as requested by senior colleagues to support the organisation and further our objectives.

Ways of Working

• Collaborative by default; independent work is balanced with regular coordination.
• Contributing to the development and embedding of anti-oppressive work across the organisation.
• Flexible and adaptable in response to changing priorities.
• Present and available for colleagues, including regular in‑office presence.
• Proactive in communication, planning, and follow‑through.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Network

• Extensive experience and track record of success in using communications to achieve campaign goals and build the profile of an organisation and its goals.
• Experience of developing relationships with journalists to generate impactful media coverage.
• Experience of managing sub-contractors or other external delivery partners.
• Strong personal network of journalists.
• Interest in food systems issues, the environment and/or climate.

Essential Skills

• Confidence in communicating with journalists and at senior level with Foodrise’s partners.
• Ability to distil complex topics into accessible and relevant communications materials and other outputs, tailored for different audiences, including decision makers, corporate executives and the media.
• Excellent digital skills including using social media and other digital platforms to achieve organisational or campaign goals.
• Ability to prioritise under pressure, identify routes to maximum impact and work efficiently.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships, give appropriate advice and manage expectations.

What You Will Bring to Foodrise

• A can-do attitude, flexibility and adaptability, alongside a willingness to pitch in on delivery and help colleagues across the team, recognising that Foodrise is a small, nimble organisation with fast-changing priorities.
• An understanding of anti-oppressive practice and how it applies to Foodrise’s work and the role and the ability to represent diverse perspectives through the work of the organisation.
• Sharing Foodrise’s values: audacity, collaboration, impact, celebration, solidarity.
• Willingness to undertake some limited travel domestically and abroad.

What We Offer

• Personal training and wellbeing funds
• Regular team socials
• Workplace pension
• Enhanced parental leave
• Enhanced sick leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Home & Tech scheme
• Flexible working hours (core hours 10am-4pm)

AI policy – We understand that you may use AI to help with your application, however we want to hear your authentic voice throughout your application.