For more information about this position, or to apply online, visit the North Carolina State University employment website: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/122808

Please note, this is a permanent position, and not the interim position that was advertised previously.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.

CEFS is recruiting an experienced communications professional to develop, execute, and manage a comprehensive communications strategy with the goals of broadening awareness of CEFS’ programs and initiatives, communicating our impact, and increasing engagement among diverse audiences. CEFS is a regional and national leader in sustainable agriculture and community-based food systems and organizes nearly a dozen food system initiatives, a grassroots-level youth program, seven sustainable agriculture production research units, extension/outreach components (educational workshops, large public events) and academic programs including internships, apprenticeships, and a graduate student fellowship. CEFS is comprised of a large and complex network of more than 40 staff members and affiliated faculty across the three constituent institutions, and works in partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension and dozens of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses across North Carolina.

Essential Job Duties: 

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate success managing a communications program in a similarly complex environment, and have the skills, focus, and energy to lead CEFS into a position of national and international prominence for its work. The incumbent will drive the “big picture” communications strategy while maintaining focus on the details of daily projects, managing multiple complex projects simultaneously. The Communications Manager will be the liaison to Department, College, and University-level communication counterparts at NC State University, as well as communication counterparts at NC Agricultural and Technical State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Communications Manager will work with other communications team members and may provide supervision of other positions as well as occasional contractors.

The CEFS Communications Manager will be responsible for all of CEFS’ external communications including content development, website and social media management, press/media outreach, event advertising and promotion, publications, videos, and marketing materials.

The Communications Manager position supports a wide variety of administrative, faculty, and staff projects, serves as a communications resource for CEFS staff and affiliates, and assists with grant writing and resource development.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Overall Communications Strategy and Execution, taking into account stakeholder needs/interests and leveraging key partners.

  • Plan and coordinate strategic messaging via website, social media, blog posts, and other avenues.
  • Proactively identify emerging/critical issues and develop communication strategies to proactively insert CEFS faculty and staff into local, regional, and national conversations on those issues

Content Development

  • Work with staff and faculty to continuously develop engaging and timely content for multiple channels to convey CEFS’ work and the impact that it is having.
  • Plan and develop monthly blog posts highlighting a broad spectrum of CEFS’ work.
  • Create content for, and manage production of, a variety of printed marketing and promotional materials including brochures, videos, posters, reports, banners, etc.
  • Create content for, and manage scheduling of, monthly newsletters and updates using Constant Contact.
  • Write the annual fundraising appeal letter, annual report/s, and other materials as required.
  • Ensure that all CEFS materials comply with CEFS’ branding requirements as well as those of its constituent partners.
  • Write, edit and proofread materials as required to support administrative and program staff needs.

Management of CEFS’ 500+ page website

  • Ensure that website content is current and accurate at all times. Working with staff and faculty, continuously update all pages.
  • Post events, news items, press releases, employment opportunities, and other timely announcements.
  • Ensure that the homepage is visually engaging and reflects strategic messaging priorities
  • Continuously review and improve the website based on website analytics and other diagnostics.

Social Media Management

  • Working with CEFS’ Communications Specialist, develop and execute a Social Media strategy for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and possibly additional platforms that leverages and complements existing social media activities of CEFS’ various programs and initiatives.
  • Working with CEFS’ Communications Specialist, manage CEFS’ various social media accounts.

Press and Media Outreach

  • Research, build and maintain media contact database
  • Create and execute strategy for maximum media exposure; develop relationships necessary to maintain this exposure.

Support and Promotion of CEFS Public Events

  • Working with the CEFS Administrative Team, plan promotional campaigns to publicize CEFS activities and events through a variety of media.
  • Create promotional messaging for CEFS’ events using Constant Contact.
  • Oversee and coordinate promotional messaging to a variety of listservs and post to Social Media accounts
  • Coordinate CEFS’ presence at outreach and educational events.
  • Publicize, promote, and assist at CEFS’ public events.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm (occasional night and weekend events)

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Minimum Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Departmental Required Skills:

  • Must be able to juggle multiple priorities and projects, meet deadlines, and supervise employees.
  • Must have exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and project/time management skills are critical.
  • Proven success managing complex websites in a WordPress CMS.
  • Strong command of MS Office suite of programs or similar product, and proficiency working in a Google virtual environment (Google docs, Google calendar, etc).
  • Must demonstrate previous success managing a website and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).
  • Must be capable working independently on described task, while also working closely with a diverse group of CEFS staff, faculty, students, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

  • Masters degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • Five years of demonstrated success in a management-level position in communications, marketing, or public relations.
  • Strong background in sustainable agriculture and/or community based and local food systems.
  • Knowledge of the local food system environment in North Carolina.

Apply at https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/122808.  You will be prompted to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references, as well as a writing sample and examples of websites created/managed and social media accounts managed.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.