Director of Media Relations & Brand Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Media Relations & Brand Communications

🔹 Company: FoodHealth Company (formerly bitewell)

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California (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 brands into cultural phenomena through strategic storytelling
• Securing high-impact media coverage to build brand credibility and consumer recognition
• Cultivating relationships with journalists and influencers in the food, health, and technology spaces
• Executing creative and results-driven media relations programs

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proven track record in PR and earned media for innovative food or nutrition companies, with a strong focus on transforming brands and driving consumer recognition.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead earned media and communications efforts to transform the FoodHealth Score into an essential part of consumers' relationship with food

✅ Personally pitch media and secure coverage to establish credibility with mainstream audiences

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

✅ Cultivate genuine relationships with journalists covering food innovation, health trends, and consumer technology

✅ Collaborate cross-functionally to align media strategy with overall business objectives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the food, health, and technology industries, as well as the ability to translate complex food science concepts into compelling narratives.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in PR, earned media, or a related role, with a focus on transforming emerging food brands

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of elevating emerging companies into widely-recognized, emotionally-connected brands
• Cultural awareness and the ability to position brands to participate in timely conversations
• Community cultivation experience and the ability to foster passionate user communities
• Expertise in media strategy and securing the right coverage in the right publications
• Storytelling architecture skills and the ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply
• Digital native understanding of how traditional media, social platforms, and influencer ecosystems work together
• Passion for improving health outcomes through food and creating a community of advocates around nutrition technology

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with startups or early-stage companies
• Familiarity with the food health or technology industries
• Bilingual or multilingual skills

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in PR and earned media, with a focus on transforming emerging food brands and driving consumer recognition.

💰 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 flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles in the San Francisco area, with consideration for the candidate's experience level.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

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

Company Size: 11-50 employees, providing a dynamic and collaborative work environment

Founded: 2020, with a mission to revolutionize how people make food choices

Company Description:

• Home of the FoodHealth Score, a proprietary rating system that simplifies complex nutrition science and empowers consumers to make better food choices
• Ambitious goal to bring the FoodHealth Score to every food product, menu, and grocery shelf in America
• Culture that values boldness, intellectual curiosity, and a hands-on approach

Company Specialties:

• Wellness and nutrition
• Food and beverage retail
• Technology and data analytics
• Food data and transparency

Company Website: http://foodhealth.co

ASSUMPTION: FoodHealth Company is a mission-driven organization focused on improving health outcomes through food, with a strong emphasis on innovation and technology.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level, with the opportunity to grow and make a significant impact on the company's mission

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

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company grows, there will be opportunities to expand the team and take on additional responsibilities
• Potential to shape the company's communications strategy and help define its brand identity
• Possibility to work on high-impact projects that directly influence the company's success

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, as the company is still in its early stages and looking to expand its impact on the food and health industries.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with a modern and collaborative workspace in San Francisco

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

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a vibrant and diverse city with a strong startup ecosystem
• Close proximity to major tech hubs and food industry leaders
• Access to a wide range of cultural, culinary, and recreational opportunities

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides the best of both worlds, allowing for collaboration and networking in the office while offering the flexibility of remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
• In-depth interview with the CEO to discuss the role, responsibilities, and company mission
• Final interview with key team members to assess skills and fit within the team dynamic

Key Assessment Areas:

• Proven track record in transforming emerging food brands through PR and earned media
• Ability to translate complex food science concepts into compelling narratives
• Strategic thinking and creativity in developing media relations programs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with journalists and influencers

Application Tips:

• Highlight specific examples of your experience transforming emerging food brands and driving consumer recognition
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, its mission, and the role to demonstrate your interest and engagement

ATS Keywords: PR, Media Relations, Brand Communications, Storytelling, Community Building, Cultural Awareness, Media Strategy, Digital Marketing, Creative Problem Solving, Health Trends, Consumer Technology, Narrative Development, Startup Experience, Results Orientation, Relationship Building, Passion for Health

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's relevant experience, skills, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on their ability to drive results and transform the company's brand.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Media databases and platforms (e.g., Muck Rack, Agility PR Solutions)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
• CRM and project management software (e.g., HubSpot, Asana)
• Design and graphics tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in various media relations, project management, and design tools to effectively execute media relations programs and manage team workflows.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Boldness: Taking calculated risks and pushing boundaries to drive innovation
• Intellectual curiosity: Embracing a growth mindset and continuous learning
• Hands-on approach: Rolling up sleeves and getting involved in all aspects of the business

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals
• Adaptable: Embracing change and pivoting as needed to stay ahead of industry trends
• Mission-driven: Aligning personal values with the company's mission to improve health outcomes through food

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you successfully transformed an emerging food brand through strategic storytelling and media relations?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you identified a cultural trend and positioned a brand to participate in the conversation?
• How do you approach building relationships with journalists and influencers, and what strategies have you used to secure high-impact media coverage?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will possess a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style, with a passion for improving health outcomes through food and a commitment to driving results through strategic storytelling and media relations.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment with evolving priorities and tight deadlines
• Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with the requirement for immediate, tactical execution
• Managing a remote team and maintaining a strong company culture in a hybrid work environment
• Navigating the complexities of the food, health, and technology industries, with their respective stakeholders and influencers

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring a dynamic and adaptable candidate who can thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on transforming an emerging food health company through strategic storytelling and media relations, with a strong emphasis on driving consumer recognition and brand credibility
• Unlike traditional PR or communications roles, this position requires a deep understanding of the food, health, and technology industries, as well as the ability to translate complex food science concepts into compelling narratives
• Career progression in this role could lead to opportunities in brand leadership, communications strategy, or industry-specific consulting

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the food and health industries, with the potential for significant career growth and development.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a media relations campaign to launch the FoodHealth Score in a major retail partnership
• Securing high-impact media coverage in national publications to establish the company's thought leadership in the food health space
• Building and managing a team of communications professionals to support the company's growth and expansion

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, creative, and results-driven approach required to succeed in this role, with a focus on driving business impact through media relations and brand communications.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's long-term vision for the FoodHealth Score and how this role fits into that strategy?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
• Can you provide examples of how the company has adapted to industry trends and changes in the past, and how this role has contributed to that evolution?
• How does the company measure the success of its media relations and brand communications efforts, and how will this role be evaluated against those metrics?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does that manifest in this role?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the company's culture, growth opportunities, and the strategic fit of this role within the organization's long-term vision.

📌 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 experience and skills for this role, with a focus on transforming emerging food brands and driving consumer recognition
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, its mission, and the role to demonstrate your interest and engagement
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your continued interest in the opportunity

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