Marketing and Communications Director

Description

Practical Farmers of Iowa is Hiring a Communications and Marketing Director

About PFI

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that has worked to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities since 1985. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities.

This work has always been rooted in our value of welcoming everyone and creating a culture of mutual respect. We believe that a diversity of people, ideas and perspectives strengthens our ability to find creative solutions, enriches our understanding and broadens our impact. At Practical Farmers, we celebrate this diversity and are committed to ensuring that our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates. 

Practical Farmers offers a flexible, supportive and fast-paced work environment. Professional development is a core part of our culture and team members are encouraged to take independent initiative to help fulfill our mission. 

About the Position 

The communications and marketing department brings the stories of PFI members to life and shares them widely. Authentic stories have the power to create human connection, build understanding and inspire people to envision and move toward a more resilient agricultural future. The eight-person communications and marketing team manages a diverse portfolio of work that includes a quarterly magazine; award-winning videos and advertising campaigns; graphic design and visual branding services for the organization; numerous print publications; multiple email newsletters; a website – and more. Collaborating with staff and departments across PFI, this team shepherds an array of integrated marketing campaigns from planning through completion to support PFI programs and goals.

As both a strategic leader and vision champion, the communications and marketing director will guide PFI’s communications and marketing efforts to strengthen relationships, amplify our mission and inspire engagement across our community and beyond. This person will oversee the department’s team while leading the development and execution of Practical Farmers’ marketing and visioning strategy. They’ll provide strategic leadership for internal and external communications, including rapid-response messaging, while fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity and adaptability to evolving communications trends and member needs. 

Through our many platforms, our aim is to strengthen community engagement, elevate farmer voices and expand awareness of PFI’s programs and impact. To track our success and spur innovation, the communications and marketing director will steer evaluation of our marketing efforts. When relevant, they’ll lead change management to successfully embrace new ideas. They will also lead contractors, budgets and cross-department collaboration; support sustainable funding efforts; and build relationships with partners, funders and influencers to advance PFI’s mission and goals. 

If you’re a creative, agile communications leader who enjoys guiding complex campaigns and cares about building a more resilient agricultural landscape, this position may be for you. You’ll join a collaborative, curious and mission-driven team working to elevate PFI’s voice and support programs across the organization.

Duties

• Develop and oversee implementation of PFI’s communications and marketing vision and strategy that builds our community, elevates farmers’ voices and increases visibility of PFI’s programs and presence.

• Oversee the process for measuring the success of PFI outreach and marketing campaigns.

• Facilitate change management for the communications and marketing team.

• Ensure sustainable funding for PFI programs and strategic objectives with support from the development team.

• Oversee communications and marketing staff and contractors.

• Manage department capacity and budget efficiently to complete work.

• Facilitate collaboration between departments and teams to achieve marketing and communications project deliverables. 

• Network and outreach with funders, partners and influencers to generate public awareness and opportunities for PFI.

• Serve on PFI’s director’s team to ensure alignment across organizational departments. 

• Other duties as assigned or volunteered to support department or team projects.

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

• Understanding of public relations principles and media relations

• Knowledge of reputational risk assessment and strategies to handle sticky organizational issues

• Digital proficiency in social media strategy, content marketing and analytics

• Bachelor's degree (or four additional years of industry experience) in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field

• Knowledge of Midwestern agriculture

• At least five years of experience leading and inspiring a team of staff to meet goals

• At least three years of experience leading interdepartmental collaborations

• Strong written and verbal skills

• At least seven years of professional experience in a communications, public relations or marketing role

• At least five years of project management experience

• Experience with media relations

• Experience with marketing campaigns 

• The ability to multitask and prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment

• Curiosity to learn new industry trends as communications best practices evolve

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• At least five years of editing and copywriting experience

• Crisis communication experience

• Creativity to develop innovative communication strategies

This is a full-time position with potential for hybrid work, with a minimum in-office requirement of two days a week in Ames. The beginning salary range for this position is $86,000-$105,000 with annual opportunity for salary increases and position advancement.?

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. We offer employees a competitive benefits package that includes employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium, generous paid time off, flexible hours, six weeks of fully paid parental leave and 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment. 

We also encourage employee professional development and offer a range of specialty benefits employees can use to support their wellness, sustainability and financial goals. Examples of our specialty benefits include contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance, stipends for remote workers and reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer.  

Please apply by completing an application (including contact information, cover letter, resume and references). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.