Creative Specialist

About The Organization

ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit working to catalyze the food system to take evidence-based action to stop wasting food. We do this by cultivating and convening the food community, delivering actionable evidence and insights, and seeding and accelerating food waste solutions. 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 47 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 ReFED’s culture. 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. 

The Creative Specialist, working remotely and reporting to the Communications Director, will be responsible for developing graphic and written content to support ReFED’s communications strategy. The Specialist will be working closely with other members of the Communications Department and ReFED’s external vendors for interactive and graphic design work, as well as with members of other ReFED departments. This is a new position at ReFED, enabling the Communications team to increase its output of branded creative materials and messaging.

Jeffrey Costantino is the hiring manager for this position. Applications must be received by July 25, 2025, to be fully considered.

• This position is expected to fulfill the following key responsibilities and duties, as well as those that may be assigned during the course of employment such that they are aligned with the job purpose:
• Support in activating ReFED’s content strategy through the development and design of a range of collateral items, creative materials, and designed pieces, including fact sheets, infographics, sell sheets and brochures, presentation decks, short reports and explainers, videos, and more, using Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other resources. Engage with internal teams to determine creative needs, develop production schedules, and deliver projects on time. Work with external agencies as needed to support the development of larger deliverables, including ReFED’s annual U.S. Food Waste Report.
• Manage ReFED’s social media outreach to grow followers and increase engagement; work with manager to determine overall social strategy and quarterly messaging calendar for LinkedIn, X, Threads, and Instagram; write compelling posts and create engaging graphics; use social media management platforms to schedule advance posts while also creating ad-hoc posts according to messaging needs; regularly engage with followers and others on each platform; track and report on key metrics and provide optimization recommendations.
• Oversee website content; use content management system (CloudCannon) for website updates; ensure content throughout is current and update as needed; engage with Comms team colleagues and external interactive agency to support larger updates (e.g., adding sections, etc.).
• Write copy for articles (typically 600-1,200 words) for the ReFED blog, webpages, and collateral (brochures, fact sheets, etc.); work with Communications & Content Manager to determine content needs and topics; research and interview key sources as needed; write/edit/proof.
• Manage the creation and distribution of regular emails (approximately 1-2 per week) to ReFED’s various audiences using the Pardot CRM system. Develop outlines and draft copy, use templates to create emails, seek feedback, reviews, and approvals, send and track results.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 3-5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably at a nonprofit or marketing and communications agency.
• A passion for and general understanding of food waste and its impacts, as well as working knowledge of food systems and sustainability, preferred but not required.
• Advanced knowledge of creative design tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud, required, along with a strong design sensibility to bring the ReFED brand to life in a variety of formats. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to turn complex research and data into engaging messages and content. 
• Self-starter comfortable with ambiguity and autonomy in managing multiple projects and concurrent timelines; able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptionally detail- and results-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Experience managing creative projects with agencies and other vendors.
• Ability to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders in a remote work environment.
• Proficiency with G Suite, Slack, Zoom, Canva, Pardot, and social scheduling platforms like Loomly, with an ability to learn new systems and tools.

• Use your creative skills to bring the ReFED brand to life through the development of written and visual assets.
• Build awareness and interest in ReFED’s initiatives and food waste in general by maximizing our presence on key social media platforms.
• Play an important role in the ongoing evolution of the ReFED website and related micro-sites.

• Explore and recommend other creative ways to convey content, including ReFED’s key messages, relevant data and insights, and more.
• Participate in various virtual and in-person events (including the annual ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit).

• Believe in the importance of compelling communications to drive people to action.
• Have a strong eye for design, with experience adapting a brand’s existing visual identity to various creative formats.
• Are an excellent writer and editor, who is skilled at conveying key messages in both shorter (social posts) and longer (web articles, etc.) formats.

• Are proactive, collaborative, and eager to work cross-functionally to understand creative needs and deliver results.
• Enjoy juggling a variety of projects—from social media graphics to infographics, reports, and email communications—and know how to prioritize effectively.
• Appreciate both big-picture strategy and meticulous execution, embracing feedback and iteration as a path to excellence.
• Value clarity, consistency, and authenticity in communications and care deeply about helping a mission-driven organization extend its reach and influence.
• Are adaptable, excited by new tools and platforms, and ready to learn and grow alongside a dynamic and evolving team.

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. Our organization recognizes that everyone brings unique perspectives and strengths to the team, and we are committed to considering all applicants fairly and thoroughly. If you are passionate about our 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.

* Skills assessment over video call which may or may not include an assignment to complete beforehand and present during the skills assessment meeting. 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, however, 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 35+ 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, Airtable, Salesforce, Miro, MS Office, Adobe, and Insperity. 

Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 3-4 annual in-person gatherings. These events include our annual team retreat, department retreats 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 virtual get-togethers, ask-me-anything sessions with our Board and Advisory Council members, and peer recognition on our shoutouts channel in Slack. We 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.

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 identity, sex, 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.