Director of Agricultural Communications

The Director Agricultural Communications is the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) top communication leader, responsible for the development of communication strategies and initiatives to enhance the visibility and reputation of CAES locally, nationally and internationally. The Director is a creative and innovative professional who will lead the College communication unit and work in collaboration with all CAES units, specifically Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Research, to design, plan, implement and lead internal, external and executive communications. The Agricultural Communications Director is expected to: 1. Develop visionary communication strategies to promote CAES using creative print and digital communications to increase the college's visibility and enhance brand recognition, 2. Build internal and external relationships and inform/engage external stakeholders to increase the College's visibility and advance its mission. 3. Identify, analyze and develop strategies to ensure the right messages are communicated to the right audiences, both internally and externally, 4. Work closely with the University Relations to ensure full coordination and alignment of CAES messaging and branding with the university requirements, 5. Continuously engage diverse audiences and stakeholders through creation, editing, and coordination of a broad range of communication materials including, traditional media coverage, social media posts, website content, e-newsletter, videos, and printed publications, and promotional events, 6. Assist CAES units with internal communication and communication training and awareness to ensure relevant stories and impacts are communicated effectively and in a timely manner, 7. Contribute to planning, promotion and coverage of all college events and draft relevant press releases, 8. Maintain a comprehensive editorial calendar for CAES's communication needs and work with staff and contractors to ensure timely execution of planned projects and activities. 9. Provide effective leadership for the Ag Communication Unit, which includes seven staff members, 10. Deliver quality work under the pressure of competing deadlines and priorities while maintaining a collaborative spirit with the Ag communications team and CAES units. 11. As necessary, identify and collaborate with external vendors to develop communications deliverables including videos, educational curricula, and other publications