Senior Manager, Communications

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Department: Public Affairs
Reports To: Head of Communications
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract
Working Model: On-site, 5 days a week

About Food4Education (F4E)
 
Food4Education is accelerating Africa’s school feeding economy so that no child ever has to learn hungry.
 
Since 2012, we have worked alongside families, schools, smallholder farmers, and governments across Kenya to design and deliver school feeding served with dignity and operated with excellence. Powered by our digital backbone Tap2Eat, a distributed kitchen network, and a team of more than 5,500 people, we move millions of meals from farm to spoon each month.
 
The blueprint we built in Kenya is now in motion across the continent. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we combine the reach of government, the discipline of business, and the clarity of mission to build systems that last.
 
The Role 
The Senior Manager, Communications is the operational lead for Food4Education's communications function, responsible for translating organisational strategy into integrated communications that strengthen reputation, employee engagement and organisational growth.

Reporting to the Head of Communications, the role provides strategic oversight across internal and external communications, executive communications, media relations and reputation management while leading a team responsible for delivering high-quality communications across the organisation.

As Food4Education expands across Africa, the Senior Manager will ensure communications are embedded into organisational planning, enabling the organisation to communicate consistently, proactively and with impact across every audience.

Key responsibilities
1. Lead the communications function - Provide day-to-day leadership of Food4Education's communications team.

• Lead and coach the Communications team, ensuring clear priorities, high standards and professional development.
• Manage performance, work planning and resource allocation across the Communications pillar.
• Foster strong collaboration across communications, brand & marketing and special projects.
• Build processes that improve planning, coordination and delivery.

2. Strategic communications - Translate organisational priorities into integrated communications.

• Develop integrated communications plans aligned to organisational priorities.
• Ensure communications is engaged early in strategic initiatives.
• Partner with departmental leaders to embed communications into programmes and projects.
• Maintain alignment between communications activities and organisational objectives.

3. Internal Communications Leadership - Provide strategic oversight of Food4Education's internal communications function.

• Lead the development of the internal communications strategy.
• Oversee internal communication channels, editorial planning and employee engagement.
• Guide leadership communications during organisational growth and change.
• Partner with the People team to strengthen culture, engagement and organisational alignment.
• Ensure employees across kitchens, field teams and offices remain connected to Food4Education's mission.

4. External & corporate communications - Lead organisational communications externally.

• Oversee media engagement and corporate communications.
• Guide executive communications for the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all external communications.
• Oversee speeches, talking points/briefings, opinion pieces and institutional communications.

5. Reputation & Issues Management - Protect Food4Education's reputation.

• Lead issues preparedness and crisis communications planning.
• Monitor emerging reputational risks.
• Advise senior leadership on communications responses.
• Coordinate communications during sensitive or high-profile issues.

6. Communications planning & governance - Strengthen how communications operates.

• Maintain integrated communications planning processes.
• Oversee editorial governance and messaging consistency.
• Ensure communications requests are prioritised against organisational objectives.
• Establish reporting frameworks and communications KPIs.

7. Agency & stakeholder management

• Manage PR agencies and specialist communications partners.
• Build relationships with media, strategic partners and key stakeholders.
• Ensure agencies deliver against agreed objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification is advantageous.

Experience

• 8–10 years' experience in strategic communications.
• Experience leading communications teams.
• Experience advising executives.
• Strong media and corporate communications background.
• Experience managing communications in a complex, fast-growing organisation.
• Experience in Africa and/or development sector advantageous.

Success measures

• Communications plans consistently support organisational priorities.
• Strong executive and leadership communications.
• Improved employee engagement through effective internal communications.
• Increased positive media profile and thought leadership.
• Effective management of reputation and issues.
• High-performing Communications team.

What is in it for you?
We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You will have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding, long-term career.

Join Us
To apply, please submit your updated CV and answer the application questions listed. All applicants will receive communication on the outcome of their application, regardless of outcome.

Food4Education is committed to building an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and people are supported to do their best work. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and make employment decisions based on merit, potential, and alignment with our values.