Marketing and Communications Director

Practical Farmers of Iowa • Ames, IA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Practical Farmers of Iowa is seeking a Communications and Marketing Director to lead their efforts in bringing member stories to life and sharing them widely. This role is crucial for building human connection, fostering understanding, and inspiring a more resilient agricultural future. The director will oversee an eight-person team managing a diverse portfolio including a quarterly magazine, videos, advertising campaigns, graphic design, print publications, email newsletters, and a website. This position involves managing integrated marketing campaigns from planning to completion to support organizational programs and goals. The director will act as a strategic leader, guiding communications and marketing efforts to strengthen relationships, amplify the mission, and inspire engagement. Key responsibilities include developing and executing marketing and visioning strategy, providing strategic leadership for internal and external communications, fostering a culture of collaboration and adaptability, steering evaluation of marketing efforts, leading change management, managing contractors and budgets, supporting sustainable funding, and building relationships with partners, funders, and influencers. The ideal candidate is a creative, agile communications leader who is passionate about building a more resilient agricultural landscape and enjoys guiding complex campaigns within a collaborative, mission-driven team.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of editing and copywriting experience
• Crisis communication experience
• Creativity to develop innovative communication strategies

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible hours
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment
• Contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance
• Stipends for remote workers
• Reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager