Director of Media Relations & Brand Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Media Relations & Brand Communications

🔹 Company: FoodHealthCo

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid: 3 days in office)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications

🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving PR and earned media efforts for an innovative food health company
• Transforming emerging food brands into cultural phenomena through strategic storytelling and media relations
• Securing high-impact media coverage to build brand credibility and drive consumer adoption
• Cultivating genuine relationships with journalists and influencers in the food, health, and technology spaces

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proven track record in media relations and brand communications within the food or nutrition industry, with a strong focus on earned media and storytelling.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead earned media and communications efforts for the FoodHealth Score, personally pitching media and securing coverage to transform the product's presence in the market

✅ Develop and execute strategic media relations programs that deliver measurable business results

✅ Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, influencers, and other media contacts to secure high-impact coverage

✅ Translate complex food science and technology concepts into compelling stories that capture mainstream audiences

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure media and communications efforts align with overall business objectives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or a related role, with a focus on the food, health, or technology industries

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of elevating emerging companies into widely-recognized, emotionally-connected brands with devoted followings
• Expertise in securing the right coverage in the right publications to build credibility while maintaining a brand's distinctive edge
• Ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply and create emotional connection beyond product features
• Strong understanding of how traditional media, social platforms, and influencer ecosystems work together to build modern brand movements
• Passion for improving health outcomes through food and excitement about creating a community of advocates around nutrition technology

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with early-stage startups or growth-stage companies
• Familiarity with nutrition science or food technology
• Bilingual or multilingual skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in food or nutrition PR, as well as those with a strong portfolio of media relations successes in related industries, are encouraged to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 - $130,000 per year, with flexibility based on experience and qualifications. Total compensation package includes equity (0.05%-0.065%) and bonus.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly Food Stipend
• Unlimited PTO
• Equity

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the San Francisco Bay Area. The total compensation package may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Food and Beverage Retail, with a focus on nutrition technology and wellness

Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to mid-sized company, offering a collaborative and agile work environment)

Founded: 2020 (Relatively new company with a strong mission and growth potential)

Company Description:

• Home of the FoodHealth Score, a proprietary nutrition evaluation tool that simplifies complex nutrition science and empowers consumers to make better food choices
• Mission-driven company focused on bringing nutrition transparency to every grocery shelf, food brand, menu, and dining table across America
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a focus on creating an inclusive environment for all employees

Company Specialties:

• Wellness
• Nutrition
• Food and beverage
• Dietetics
• Technology
• Foodtech
• Nutrition transparency
• Food data and analytics

Company Website: foodhealth.co

ASSUMPTION: FoodHealthCo is a mission-driven company with a strong focus on improving health outcomes through food. Candidates who are passionate about this mission and aligned with the company's values are encouraged to apply.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid to senior-level role, with the opportunity for growth and leadership within the organization

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and sales

Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with 3 days required in the office (San Francisco location)

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company grows, there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles
• This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the company's mission and growth trajectory
• FoodHealthCo is committed to supporting the professional development and growth of its employees

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to join a growing company at an early stage and make a significant impact on its success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with a focus on collaboration and flexibility

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States (530 Bryant St, San Francisco, California 94107, US)

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a vibrant and diverse city with a strong tech industry and a focus on wellness and sustainability
• The office is located in the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, offering easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and cultural attractions
• The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility and a better work-life balance

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers candidates the best of both worlds, providing the opportunity to collaborate with team members in person while also enjoying the flexibility of remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the CEO and other team members
• Case study or project presentation (if applicable)
• Final interview with the CEO

Key Assessment Areas:

• Media relations and communications experience
• Storytelling and narrative development skills
• Cultural awareness and alignment with company values
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience in media relations and brand communications, with a focus on earned media and storytelling
• Include specific examples of your successes in transforming emerging food brands into cultural phenomena
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills

ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Brand Communications, Public Relations, Storytelling, Community Building, Cultural Awareness, Digital Marketing, Strategic Thinking, Creative Problem Solving, Media Strategy, Consumer Engagement, Health Trends, Food Innovation, Narrative Development, Relationship Building, Execution

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's media relations and communications skills, as well as their cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Media databases (e.g., Muck Rack, Agility PR Solutions)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to streamline their work and collaborate with team members.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Mission-driven: We are passionate about improving health outcomes through food and committed to creating a positive impact on society
• Inclusive: We foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected
• Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's growth and success
• Innovative: We embrace creativity and continuous learning to drive our mission forward

Work Style:

• Agile and adaptable: We thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are comfortable with change and ambiguity
• Data-driven: We make informed decisions based on data and analytics to optimize our results
• Customer-focused: We prioritize the needs and preferences of our customers and strive to exceed their expectations

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated your ability to translate complex concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with mainstream audiences?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully cultivated genuine relationships with journalists or influencers to secure high-impact media coverage?
• How do you approach balancing strategic thinking with relentless implementation to ensure flawless execution?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are passionate about the company's mission, align with its values, and possess strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are likely to be a good fit for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, startup environment with limited resources and tight deadlines
• Balancing the need for media coverage with the company's commitment to authenticity and transparency
• Managing relationships with journalists and influencers in a rapidly-changing media landscape
• Adapting to the company's growth and evolving priorities

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic environment and able to adapt to change and uncertainty.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on earned media and storytelling for a nutrition technology company, but it shares similarities with other media relations and brand communications roles in the food, health, and technology industries
• Compared to traditional food or nutrition PR roles, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing company's mission and success
• Career path comparison: This role offers the opportunity for growth and leadership within the organization, with the potential to take on additional responsibilities as the company expands

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in media relations and brand communications within the food, health, or technology industries are encouraged to compare this role to similar positions in their own careers to assess its fit and potential for growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic media relations campaign to launch a new food product or brand
• Securing high-impact media coverage for a company's involvement in a major industry event or conference
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with journalists and influencers to secure ongoing media coverage and brand visibility

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to provide specific examples of their successes in media relations and brand communications.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the company plan to support my professional growth and development in this role?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does the company measure the success of its media relations and brand communications efforts?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and employee well-being?
• How does the company plan to scale its media relations and brand communications efforts as it grows?

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will provide an opportunity for candidates to assess the company's culture, values, and growth potential, as well as their fit within the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Research the company and its mission to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with its values
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.