Administrator II

Mktg & Agr Dev•Anne Arundel, MD

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland’s Best Marketing Program seeks an Administrator II to develop, facilitate, and maintain marketing initiatives that increase sales of Maryland seafood and raise awareness and value for the state’s seafood industries. The position develops advertising and campaigns to promote Maryland seafood and expand market opportunities, serves as a spokesperson for the Department when engaging with seafood processors, watermen, and other producers, and acts as liaison to related organizations and administrator and coordinator of the Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission. The position supports the profitability of Maryland seafood by developing business-to-business contacts and consumer campaigns, locating and administering grant-funded programs, writing grants, and evaluating sponsorship, trade show, and conference opportunities. It is the Department’s subject matter expert on seafood marketing and handles requests for input on related issues. The role includes high-visibility projects involving public policy and interaction with elected officials and the media, and requires strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. The Administrator II manages the seafood marketing budget and allocates funds to projects that support the industry. The position develops and manages marketing programs, directories, databases, trade activities, presentations, reports, and outreach, while working with state and county agencies, industry organizations, seafood businesses, and other MDA staff. It also contributes to unit and agency goals through planning, reporting, relationship management, research, and participation in outreach and professional activities.

Requirements

High school graduation from an accredited institution or a high school equivalency certificate.
Five years of administrative staff or professional work. Substitutions are allowed as described in the posting: 30 college credit hours for each year of experience up to four years; a bachelor’s degree plus one year of administrative staff or professional work; a master’s degree; or qualifying U.S. Armed Forces commissioned-officer experience on a year-for-year basis.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong written and verbal communication skills, including use of internet programs.
Ability to recognize when information is confidential and maintain confidentiality.
A valid Maryland motor vehicle operator’s license if assigned duties requiring operation of a motor vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Four years of direct marketing experience in agriculture, seafood, or beverage industries.
Four years of direct marketing experience connecting food businesses to available markets, such as restaurants, food distributors, food processors, and grocery store chains.
Four years of direct marketing experience developing and managing advertising and promotional campaigns to influence public opinion.
Four years of direct marketing experience in website design or management and social media campaigns or content development.
Four years of direct marketing experience making presentations to constituent groups, including government agencies, private-sector clients, and members of the public.
Four years of budget management experience.

Responsibilities

Develop, direct, and maintain marketing projects that enhance the production, distribution, and consumption of Maryland seafood products.
Design, develop, and manage databases and the seafood directory on Maryland’s Best website, as well as other electronic and print directories, publications, and communications.
Work with participating companies and visit them in connection with marketing activities such as True Blue and wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish.
Develop and direct new marketing programs for the Maryland seafood industry.
Develop and implement trade activities, seminars, and other programs to encourage trade and increase wholesale sales of Maryland seafood.
Recruit seafood processors for the annual Buyer-Grower Expo, Governor’s Annual Buy Local Picnic, and relevant trade shows, including Seafood Expo North America.
Attend and represent the Seafood Marketing Program and MDA at outreach functions, conferences, and trade shows; present as a seafood marketing subject matter expert.
Maintain measures and records of marketing activities and results, and report them to management, executive directors, the Maryland Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission, and potentially the legislature.
Prepare and present presentations, reports, demonstrations, promotional literature, and statistical data for MDA management and producers through written materials, newsletters, email, websites, other media, and meetings.
Develop quarterly work plans and regular reports of accomplishments and goals, including key dates and budgets, in consultation with the Director of Marketing Initiatives.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with MDA requirements.
Participate in staff meetings; prepare monthly accomplishment reports and work plans, including key dates, budget, and MFR goals.
Assist in developing goals, budgets, operating procedures, standards, and controls.
Collaborate with Marketing and MDA staff and participate in agency-wide initiatives as requested.
Participate in professional organizations and training to maintain and improve service capabilities.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with assigned seafood industry groups; attend meetings, communicate important issues between groups and MDA, and maintain industry worksheets.
Collaborate with International Marketing programs to develop relationships with buyers and government officials toward potential foreign seafood marketing programs.
Research industry issues and possible solutions, recommend actions, and assist with implementing accepted recommendations.
Participate in MDA outreach events, including the State Fair, Maryland Farm Bureau, and MACO, and perform other assigned duties.
Locate, secure, and administer grant-funded programs related to watermen and seafood processors; write grants that support the Maryland seafood industry.
Evaluate events for sponsorship and trade shows and conferences for attendance and promotion of Maryland seafood.
Oversee and manage the seafood marketing budget and allocate funds to projects that stimulate and leverage the Maryland seafood industry.