Director, Event Programming & Content

The Director, Event Programming & Content – working remotely and reporting to the Communications Director – is responsible for overseeing all content for ReFED’s events, including the annual ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit and other in-person events, virtual events and programming, and network events (for the ReFED Food Waste Action Network and Food Waste Funder Circle, currently). The Director, Event Programming & Content will also manage ReFED’s appearances at external events (industry conferences, sustainability summits, etc.), including at times serving as a speaker/panelist themselves.

About The Organization

ReFED is a nonprofit catalyzing the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food - for the climate, environment, people, and the economy. To accomplish our mission, we cultivate and convene the food community, deliver actionable evidence and insights, and seed and accelerate solutions and levers. Starting with the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste, ReFED has produced first-of-their-kind tools and resources, providing a full-supply-chain picture of U.S. food waste, cost-effective solutions to reduce it, and methods to track progress. In 2021, ReFED launched the Insights Engine, an online data center serving as the next generation of data, insights, and guidance on U.S. food waste reduction. Reducing food waste will have a significant impact on mitigating climate change, optimizing the use of water, land, and other resources, and providing meals for the over 38 million people in the United States who currently face food insecurity. We are continuing to grow our team to further build our capacity to achieve our vision of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that makes the best use of the food we grow.

We are a team of doers and we get a lot accomplished. We create outsized impact and everyone on the team contributes to accomplishing our shared goals. Learning and professional development are heavily embedded in our culture at ReFED. We promote cross-functional work to embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to ensure we are an inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Learn more at www.refed.org.

About The Work

This role will work closely with and manage ReFED’s Events Manager – who oversees event logistics and the events calendar and contributes to event strategy development – as well as collaborate with Communications colleagues to maximize the use and effectiveness of events as a channel to achieve ReFED’s strategic communications goals; it will also coordinate with ReFED’s programmatic, development, and operations teams. With the Events Manager, the Director, Event Programming & Content will manage external contractors and vendors to manage and lead some of these efforts. The role will also contribute to the development and production of non-event content (reports, white papers, and other items that solidify ReFED’s position as the premier food waste thought leader) as assigned.

ReFED is looking to expand capacity to streamline current event management, as well as innovate and explore additional events and formats going forward. We are also looking to increase the production and release of longer-form educational and opinion content. This role encompasses a wide array of responsibilities aimed at enhancing ReFED's impact through strategic event content management and thought leadership in the food waste sector.

In this role, you will help address the following:

• Overseeing content for all ReFED-hosted and network events, including the annual ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit, ensuring relevance and impact.

• Identifying and recommending topics and speakers for events in collaboration with the Communications team and ReFED staff, while also keeping abreast of industry trends and external events.

• Working closely with the Events Manager and ReFED’s Leadership Team to design engaging and thematically cohesive programs for both virtual and in-person events.

• Ensuring diversity among event speakers and innovating event formats to enhance attendee engagement and learning experiences.

• Managing ReFED's external speaking engagements, including opportunity identification, proposal submission, and content development, while also participating in these engagements as a speaker or moderator as needed.

• Collaborating with Communications colleagues to develop and produce significant thought leadership materials, such as research reports and opinion pieces, and ensuring their effective dissemination.

• Partnering with the Events Manager to explore and implement innovative event formats, technologies, and revenue models, including the potential for regional events.

• Leading the Events Manager in executing all aspects of event management, from strategy and design to logistics and sponsorship.

• Actively contributing to ReFED’s mission to catalyze the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food.

• Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the event production and management space to ensure ReFED remains at the forefront of advancements in the sector.

• Performing other duties as required by the role and department such that they are consistent with the job purpose.

You could be a great candidate for this role if you have:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in the food industry, with a deep understanding of the food waste sector and its key players.

• Prior event management experience – particularly in content-focused roles.

• Strong project management capabilities and experience in cross-functional collaboration.

• Effective people management skills for leading both internal teams and external partners.

• Excellent verbal communication abilities; comfortable with public speaking across various formats.

• Proficiency in professional writing; able to distill complex information into accessible content, with a track record of working with experts and designers.

• A commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of work.

• Exceptional organizational skills, detail-oriented, and results-driven.

• Self-motivated, capable of working autonomously and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrated skills in building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Excellent facilitation abilities.

• Proficiency in G Suite, MS Office, Slack, Zoom, and Salesforce, with an ability to quickly learn new tools and systems.

• Demonstrated success in working with remote teams and fostering an inclusive work environment.

• A strong commitment to the mission of ReFED, focusing on catalyzing the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food.

We think you would thrive in this role and at ReFED if you:

• Are passionate about the role of events and related programming in addressing social and environmental issues.

• Are comfortable working and communicating in an entrepreneurial, ambiguous environment.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth organization.

• Have a strong commitment to reducing food waste.

We don’t require:

• Specific degrees or certifications.

• Experience working in the non-profit sector.

ReFED values a diverse range of skills and experiences and encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they don't meet all of the criteria listed. The organization recognizes that everyone brings unique perspectives and strengths to the team, and we are committed to considering all applicants fairly and thoroughly. So if you are passionate about the mission and excited about the role, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

Our Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process includes the following steps:

• Initial screening interview over video call.

• 2-3 interviews over video call with different members of the team.

• Technical skills assessment, which may or may not include an assignment to complete beforehand and present during a Zoom interview. All necessary information and guidance will be provided in advance.

• References, usually three, will be requested and reference checks will be conducted.

We strive to maintain clear and frequent communication throughout the recruitment process, but due to capacity limitations, we may not be able to respond to every initial application. Our process always includes input from multiple team members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives from across the organization.

Our Operating Environment

ReFED is a distributed organization, with a team of 20+ working remotely from various locations across the United States. We use a range of digital collaboration and connectivity tools to facilitate our work, including Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Monday, Salesforce, Miro, MS Office, Adobe, and Insperity.

Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 2-3 annual in-person gatherings of the entire team. These events include our annual team retreat and the Food Waste Solutions Summit, a national convening of the food waste movement that we host annually. We also foster team connections through informal get-togethers, ask-me-anything sessions with our Board and Advisory Council members, and peer recognition on our shoutouts channel in Slack. We also have a Big Dill spot bonus program and engage in conversation through our watercooler channel in Slack. Our in-person events are essential for team building, learning, and fun.

Learn more about our culture here.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment

ReFED is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute and grow. We recognize that our success is rooted in the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, and we strive to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, training, and promoting individuals regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We acknowledge that systemic barriers limit opportunities for certain groups, and we are dedicated to actively working to remove those barriers and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all aspects of our organization. Our commitment to JEDI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, listening, and improving our practices to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.

Compensation & Benefits

ReFED offers a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and policies and programs that encourage a healthy work-life balance. The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000 and will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members can thrive and grow professionally, while maintaining their personal priorities and values.

ReFED’s U.S. benefits package includes:

• 100% employee and 50% dependent premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits;

• Participation in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans with up to 4% employer matching;

• Professional development opportunities, including an annual budget and the option to participate in ReFED's mentor program;

• 18 paid vacation days annually;

• 10 paid sick days annually;

• Early closure in July and August for Summer Fridays;

• Paid family leave;

• Approximately 13 paid company holidays annually, including closed offices during the last week of the year;

• Short- and long-term disability coverage and term life insurance;

• A flexible work environment with the option to work from home or a co-working space.

Learn more about our values, team, and commitment to employees at refed.com/careers.

Jeff Costantino is the hiring manager for this position. All correspondence should be addressed to Jeff. Applications must be received by March 21, 2024, to be fully considered.