Chief Communications Officer

Published on: March 21, 2014

This job posting expired and applications are no longer accepted.
American Farmland Trust Published: March 21, 2014
Location
Washington , D.C.
Skill Level
Senior Level, Senior Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Communications / PR / Farm / Organics

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Description

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to saving America's farm and ranch land, promoting sound conservation practices and keeping farmers on the land. Since our founding in 1980, the organization has helped protect more than 5 million acres of our country's working lands. 

Position Overview 

The
Director of Marketing and Communications reports to the CEO, serves as a member
of the senior management team, and works with the Board of Directors to chart
the direction of the American Farmland Trust (AFT). 

The
position has primary working relationships with the CEO, senior management team
in locations around the U.S., staff of the Marketing/Communications department,
and any outside vendors. 

The
position is responsible for planning and directing the implementation of all marketing,
communications and public relations activities/support materials/productions,
both external and internal. The position coordinates at the strategic and
tactical levels with the other programs and departments within AFT, assuring accountability
to all constituencies and effective operation. 

Principal Responsibilities


Responsible
for creating, implementing and measuring the success of:

  • A
    comprehensive marketing, communications and public relations program that will
    enhance AFT's image and position within the marketplace
  • Creating
    and implementing all communications and public relations activities and
    materials including publications, media relations, website, social media,
    video/film productions, webinars, blogs, outreach and fundraising campaigns
  • Managing
    internal communications activities across departments and programs 

Organizational Strategy:

  • Work
    with staff at all levels and Board of Directors to develop and maintain a strategic
    perspective in organizational direction, programs and decision-making
  • Ensure
    the overall health and vitality of AFT through strong and consistent outreach
    strategies that build public awareness of the organization and its important
    work
  • Help
    make sure that AFT's philosophy, mission and vision are clear and practiced
    throughout the organization.
  • Act
    as an internal consultant to bring attention and solutions to internal
    priorities. 

Program Support:

  • Provide
    counsel to regional directors on marketing, communications and public relations
  • Develop,
    coordinate and oversee technical assistance and resource support to assist
    regional offices in the marketing, communications and positioning of their
    activities
  • Conduct
    relevant market research both directly and with partner organizations to
    understand public opinion and monitor trends
  • Support
    and lead projects in areas such as cause-related marketing and special events 

Planning, Budgeting and Evaluation:

  • Recommend
    short and long-term goals and objectives to the CEO
  • Conduct
    short and long-term planning and budgeting for all activities - with
    responsibilities for the achievement of goals and financial objectives
  • Ensure
    that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives to
    monitor performance and report progress to the CEO and Board
  • Develop,
    implement and monitor systems and procedures necessary for smooth operation of
    the marketing/communications/public relations function
  • Keep
    informed of developments in the fields of marketing, communications and public
    relations, as well as nonprofit management and governance. 

Branding:

  • Create
    and ensure consistent articulation of AFT's image and brand with a style guide
    that includes color scheme, logo, graphic and photographic images, typography
  • Oversee
    branding applications in print and electronic outreach materials
  • Promote
    and implement consistent communications terminology that articulates AFT's
    programmatic work to all constituencies across the U.S., both internal and
    external
  • Provide
    editorial direction on the design, production and distribution of all AFT
    publications. 

Public Relations:

  • Act
    as AFT's media representative
  • Coordinate
    media interest in AFT through regular contact with target media
  • Provide
    appropriate response to media requests 

Department Management:

  • Maintain
    a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel
  • Recruit,
    train, supervise, support, and guide qualified personnel
  • Ensure
    effective management of all marketing, communications and public relations functions
  • Design,
    support and oversee cross-functional teams throughout the Organization
  • Effectively
    enable and staff so they can take action on behalf of the Organization by: 
  1. Transmitting
    AFT's values, vision and direction;
  2. Respecting
    and using the skills, expertise, experience and insights of people;
  3. Providing
    direction and resources, removing barriers and developing staff skills;
  4. Encouraging
    people to ask strategic questions, ensuring quality decision-making;
  5. Facilitating
    conflict resolution; and
  6. Coaching
    people to success. 

Qualifications

Required:  

  • Demonstrated
    skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing, communications
    and public relations activities
  • Experienced
    in the use of new and social media to advance organizational goals and recruit members
    and donors
  • Strong
    creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and personal sales skills
  • Experience
    developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, developing, supervising and
    appraising personnel
  • Demonstrated
    successful experience writing press releases, making presentations and media
    management
  • Experience
    overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications
  • Computer
    literacy in word processing and understanding of supporting software
  • Commitment
    to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams
  • Strong
    oral and written communications skills
  • Ability
    to manage multiple projects at a time 

Other:

  • Minimum
    of 10 years' experience in marketing, communications or public relations with demonstrated
    success, preferably in the not-for-profit or association sector
  • Bachelor's
    degree in journalism, marketing, public relations preferred
  • Graduate
    degree in a related field is highly desirable
  • Experience
    working with volunteer Boards
  • Out-of-town,
    overnight travel is required
  • Exempt
    Status
To Apply
 
Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to send your resume and a cover letter.  

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