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Head of Storytelling and Communications

San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)

About Us:

Forage is building the modern payments stack that powers inclusive commerce. Our technology enables grocers, delivery platforms, and point-of-sale systems to seamlessly accept EBT payments both online and in-store. Beyond infrastructure, we’re helping SNAP EBT shoppers stretch their grocery budgets every week, making healthy food more affordable and accessible to the 42 million Americans on food assistance.​

Backed by leading fintech investors, Forage is a fast-growing startup with a clear vision and real-world impact, feeding tens of thousands of families daily. Our team is made up of kind, driven individuals who take ownership, move quickly, and collaborate closely. We value humility, curiosity, and a shared commitment to making a difference.​

We’re not just building payments infrastructure — we’re helping feed tens of thousands of families each day, and transforming grocery access for millions more. Watch our story and see why we do what we do.

Forage sits where government benefits meet commerce: SNAP today, FSA/HSA, WIC, and other benefits tomorrow. It’s regulated, political, impactful, innovative, high tech, entrepreneurial, and full of opportunity.

You will own the story in that space.

This role builds and leads Storytelling & Communications inside CELA, the team where trust meets traction, and traction drives growth. You’ll turn complex policy and payments infrastructure into clear, credible narratives that:

  • Builds trust, thought leadership, and brand and impact recognition;
  • Give merchants and partners confidence to move fast with us;
  • Help regulators and advocates see us as a trusted, responsible innovator and thought leader;
  • Helps investors see the incredible value of our mission-focused tech solutions; and
  • Align our team and board around a shared, consistent story of our mission and progress

This is not a “press release” role. It’s a strategic, hands-on position for someone who wants to shape a category, not just cover it.

Where this role sits: CELA at Forage

Forage reduces friction wherever government benefits and commerce meet, starting with SNAP EBT and expanding into FSA, HSA, and other programs that help families afford everyday essentials.

CELA (Corporate, External & Legal Affairs) is the strategic blend of:

  • Government & Regulatory Affairs – opening markets and shaping the rules of digital benefits;
  • Legal – making growth fast, compliant, and defensible; and
  • Storytelling & Communications – shaping the narrative that turns trust into traction.

You will lead that third pillar.

Primary internal partners: Leadership Team, Marketing, Product, Business Development, Finance, HR, and the Board.

What you’ll do

Own Forage’s narrative

  • Define and evolve our master story: who we are, what we do, why it matters, and how we’re different in a regulated, politically sensitive space.
  • Translate SNAP, EBT, payments, and benefit rails into simple, compelling narratives for merchants, policymakers, advocates, and investors.
  • Ensure message discipline across CELA, Marketing, and GTM teams.

Lead external and media relations

  • Build and run our media and PR strategy: target outlets, storylines, and moments that reinforce Forage as the trusted, compliant, high‑growth leader..
  • Manage PR agencies and key journalist relationships; own briefing docs, talking points, and Q&A.
  • Drive thought leadership: op‑eds, bylines, conference talks, podcasts, and panels.

Shape digital and content storytelling

  • Partner with Marketing to bring Forage’s voice to life across our site, blog, and social (especially LinkedIn).

  • Develop content that showcases merchant success, policy wins, product launches, and human impact.
  • Create narratives and proof points that support enterprise sales and strategic partnerships.

Elevate executive and board communications

  • Help leadership tell a consistent story across investors, regulators, partners, and employees.
  • Craft executive communications: keynotes, town halls, board decks, and major announcements.
  • Turn strategy, metrics, and milestones into clear, confident stories people can act on.

Build internal communications that matter

  • Design internal comms rhythms that keep everyone aligned on priorities and progress without noise.
  • Support HR and People initiatives with messaging that reflects our culture: focused, humble, and mission‑driven.
  • Surface and celebrate wins that move the needle for families and partners.

Create simple, scalable systems

  • Develop practical playbooks and workflows for launches, announcements, and issues response.
  • Define a small set of meaningful comms metrics to guide focus (not vanity dashboards).

Who you are

  • Seasoned communications leader in complex spaces
     ~8–12+ years in communications, PR, or public affairs at the intersection of technology and regulated industries (fintech, payments, govtech, healthcare, or similar).
  • Strategic and hands‑on
     Equally comfortable setting narrative strategy and writing the actual press release, memo, or LinkedIn post. You know when “good and on time” beats “perfect and late.”
  • Fluent in both mission and business
     You connect our story to human impact and to revenue, growth, and risk. You understand enterprise buyers and public‑sector stakeholders
  • Calm and thoughtful in sensitive environments
     You’ve operated in politically charged or high‑scrutiny contexts and know how to calibrate tone, timing, and message.
  • Low‑ego collaborator
     You work well with Legal, Regulatory, Marketing, and the C‑suite. You seek input, navigate nuance, and still drive toward a clear decision and message.
  • Builder, not a bureaucrat
     You like small, focused teams and you’re energized by building a function with smart constraints. You create just enough processes to help everyone move faster.
  • Excellent writer and editor
    Portfolio across formats (press, long‑form, speeches, memos, social) that shows clarity, precision, and a strong editorial instinct.

How you’ll work with the rest of Forage

  • With CELA: Turn legal, regulatory, and partnership work into stories that build trust and traction.
  • With Marketing and Partnerships: Align brand, campaigns, and digital presence around a consistent, differentiated narrative.
  • With BD & Merchant Ops: Support pitches, launches, and case studies that shorten sales cycles and deepen trust.
  • With Product & Engineering: Explain what we’re building — and why it’s trustworthy and compliant — in human language. And, help develop and deliver our direct to consumer messaging relationship.
  • With Leadership & the Board: Be a thought partner on how Forage shows up externally and internally.

Our culture:

At Forage, culture is built through what we do every day:

  • We focus on empowering families, enabling merchants, and building technology that works in the real world.
  • We move fast, stay humble, and protect what drives results — clarity, respect, and shared purpose.
  • We are builders, not bureaucrats.
  • We deliver big outcomes with a small, focused team by staying aligned on mission and avoiding distractions.

If you see storytelling as an engine of progress and impact, not just a layer of polish, you’ll fit right in.

What you’ll love about Forage:

  • Mission & Impact: Your legal work will directly affect how millions of Americans access affordable, healthy food.
  • Ownership & Visibility: Build and shape a core function from the ground up with company-wide influence.
  • Culture: Kind, curious, and low-ego people who value focus, accountability, and collaboration.

Our Offer:

Your base salary would fall within the bands below. Please keep in mind that the equity portion of your offer is not included in these numbers and represents a significant part of your total compensation.

  • Compensation: $165k-$185k USD base + equity + benefits
  • Meaningful work that makes a positive impact on our society.
  • 100% of Medical, Dental and Vision premium coverage for yourself and dependents. 
  • Enjoy regular team lunches at our San Francisco office, fostering collaboration and connection over great food.
  • A fun and caring environment that prioritizes transparency, growth, and ownership.
  • A talented, diverse, high-achieving, and humble team with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at our headquarters in San Francisco, California. Individual pay is determined by work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

We aim to review every application within 4 business days of submission and provide feedback on each of your interviews within 2 business days of completion. If you don't hear from us, please reach out to your recruiter or careers[at]joinforage.com directly to get an update on your candidacy. 

Integrity & Fairness: To maintain a fair and equitable hiring process for all candidates, we require that interviews and exercises be completed without the use of AI-powered tools. We assess candidates based on their direct experience, judgment, and communication.

Please note: We are not engaging with third-party recruiters or agencies for this role. We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting us regarding recruitment services. Fees will not be paid for unsolicited resumes sent to Forage. 

Please note: Forage is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have work authorization that does not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.

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