Marketing & Communications Director
Rogue Valley Food System Network (RVFSN)
Medford, Oregon | Full-Time | Grant-Funded Position (M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust)
| Department | Communications & Network Engagement |
| Reports To | Executive Director |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Funding Source | M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust – Strategic Project Grant (3-Year) |
| Salary Range | $75,000 – $85,000 annually, commensurate with experience |
| Benefits | Health Stipend, PTO |
| Application Deadline | Priority deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter until filled. |
About RVFSN
The Rogue Valley Food System Network (RVFSN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization founded in 2017 by a council of Rogue Valley organizations and businesses. Our mission is to foster connections that promote equitable food access, ecologically sound agricultural practices, and economic vitality in the Rogue Valley.
With a staff of three (2.15 FTE) and an annual budget of $450,000, RVFSN is governed by a board of directors and guided by a council of leaders from 16-23 regional organizations and businesses, currently 16 seats are filled. We convene partners across the full spectrum of the food and agricultural ecosystem — farms and ranches, food and beverage businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and community organizations — to break down silos and build a local food system that serves all.
In 2025, RVFSN released the Community Food Assessment and Action Plan for the Rogue Valley, identifying four regional goals for the next five years: Ensure Access to Healthy Food for All; Invest in a Thriving Food and Farm Economy; Build Soil and Protect Water; and Reduce Food Waste. Each of these working groups is composed of several partner organizations or businesses, and meet monthly and drive the work of the Food action Plan forward.
RVFSN also produces the Rogue Flavor Guide — a print and digital publication with more than 20 years of history connecting consumers to regional food producers and serving as an educational platform for the local food system. Every year, RVFSN hosts three annual events: the Rogue Flavor Showcase in September, an event to connect producers, buyers and eaters to experience the bounty of this region, the Food Solutions Summit in January, a yearly convening to bring people together to celebrate the local farm and food movement, move our strategic initiatives forward and build deeper connections, and our annual fundraiser the Brews, Bluegrass and BBQ highlights local food, brews and music to a long time committed audience occurs in June. This role will help promote each of these 3 events.
Position Summary
The Marketing & Communications Director is a new, full-time position made possible by a Strategic Project Grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. This is a cornerstone hire in RVFSN’s growth as the backbone organization for the Rogue Valley food system — and one the council of RVFSN explicitly identified as essential to the region’s long-term food system resilience.
This role is not a traditional organizational marketing position. It is a network-wide function: building a coordinated communications and marketing plan that elevates the entire Rogue Valley food system, supports the producers, makers, and organizations within the network, and engages the broader community in collectively supporting a thriving, resilient, and equitable local food economy.
The Marketing & Communications Director will implement brand and communications plan for RVFSN, manage the Rogue Flavor Guide and other network-serving publications, develop digital and social media presence, and serve as a community advisor on marketing strategies, as well as supporting education and connection — helping the public understand why supporting local food matters and how they can participate.
Key Responsibilities
This role will be working closely with both the Executive Director and the Director of Development and Community Impact, as well as partner organizations at times.
Brand & Communications Strategy
- Enhance and steward RVFSN’s brand identity, messaging framework, and communications plan across all platforms and materials to forward our mission and support fundraising efforts
- Support the development of content, marketing and brand strategy for the Rogue Flavor Guide in partnership with the Operations and Resource Coordinator, who leads production (print and digital), coordinating with network partners, advertisers, and designers.
- Lead for the Business Membership sales, of which a primary perk is a listing in the Rogue Flavor Guide.
- Create compelling content — newsletters, annual reports, press releases, one-pagers, and promotional materials — that communicates network mission and impact
- Develop and execute a coordinated regional messaging strategy that promotes the Rogue Valley food system to local residents, institutions, and visitors
- Collaborate with the Executive Director, Director of Development and council on an annual communications plan aligned with the Community Food Assessment Action Plan
- Track, analyze, and report on communications metrics to inform and refine strategy
Social Media & Digital Presence
- Manage and grow RVFSN’s social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others) with regular, engaging, mission-aligned content
- Maintain and improve the organization’s website, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and strong user experience
- Build and manage an email marketing strategy including list growth, segmentation, and performance tracking
- Develop digital campaigns that support and amplify the value of network events, programs, working groups, and advocacy priorities
- Stay current on digital communications trends, especially within the nonprofit and food systems sectors
Network & Community Engagement
- Support the marketing and communications needs of network member organizations and businesses — serving as an advisor and a shared resource for the broader food system, not just RVFSN
- Engage visitors to the Rogue Valley in understanding the region’s unique food production qualities and encourage support of local producers
- Develop outreach strategies that center equity and actively engage underrepresented communities in the regional food system
- Represent RVFSN at community events, partner gatherings, and regional forums, building relationships on behalf of the network
- Capture and amplify stories, testimonials, and impact narratives from network members across all communications channels
- Develop and implement a strategy for increasing engagement and participation in RVFSN’s Open Impact platform
- Support the planning and promotion of RVFSN convenings, events, working group sessions, and community forums
Qualifications
Required
- 5+ years of leadership experience in marketing, communications, or a related field, with demonstrated leadership in strategy development
- Strong brand stewardship skills with experience developing or managing organizational identity across multiple channels
- Proven experience managing social media platforms and developing digital content strategies
- Excellent writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills with ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences — from farmers and food entrepreneurs to community members and institutional partners
- Proficiency with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and content management systems
- Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp)
- Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships
- Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered communications
- Genuine passion for food systems, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience
Preferred
- Experience working in or with the Rogue Valley region and familiarity with the local food and farm ecosystem
- Experience producing or managing print and digital publications (newsletters, guides, or regional directories)
- Experience with website management (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace) and basic SEO
- Photography or videography skills
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Experience supporting coalition work, network convenings, or backbone organizations
- Familiarity with food access, food justice, or agricultural policy issues
About the Grant Funding
This position is initially funded through a three-year Strategic Project Grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected philanthropic foundations. Grant funding supports compensation and related expenses on a declining basis over three years (Year 1: 100%, Year 2: ~67%, Year 3: ~33%), with the expectation that RVFSN will fully integrate and self-fund the position beginning in Year 4.
RVFSN is committed to the long-term sustainability of this role. The Director will play a key part in building the revenue-generating and value-demonstrating infrastructure — through the Rogue Flavor Guide, events, community partnerships, and network engagement — that will support the position’s permanence beyond the grant period.
Values & Culture Fit
RVFSN is a small, mission-driven team committed to collaboration, humility, and systems thinking. We are looking for someone who:
- Sees themselves as a servant to the network — amplifying the voices of farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community members rather than broadcasting a single organizational perspective
- Thrives in a relationship-based, networked environment and understands that trust is the currency of coalition work
- Can hold complexity — including the intersections of race, poverty, environment, and food — with care and nuance in public communications
- Is energized by the opportunity to help build something bigger than any one organization: a food system that truly serves the whole Rogue Valley
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following to Alison Sexauer alison@rvfoodsystem.org:
- A resume or CV
- A cover letter describing your interest in this role and your connection to food systems, community work, or the Rogue Valley region
- Please provide a portfolio of your work
- Two professional references
RVFSN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others whose identities are underrepresented in the food and agricultural sector. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
Questions? Contact us at alison@rvfoodsystem.org.
