Chief Communications Officer

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