Communications Manager

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

7d

About The Position

The Communications Manager of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) within the University of Arkansas School of Law is responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining comprehensive communication, outreach, and engagement strategy to increase the visibility and profile of IFAI and its major national initiatives. This involves strategic planning, public relations, and direct outreach through social media, webinars, teleconferences, written materials, public speaking, and attending in-person meetings and events. This position is also responsible for designing and developing external long and short form print and media publications, leading webinars, and publicizing IFAI through social media and web content. The Communications Manager will help with the delivery of IFAI’s initiatives working directly with Tribal governments, Intertribal organizations, various partners and constituencies, as well as the national media and other external stakeholders. The Communications Manager reports to and is evaluated by the Director of Communications and works in collaboration with colleagues throughout the campus. This position involves regular long-distance travel by air or vehicle on behalf of IFAI for various events and requires representation of IFAI and the University of Arkansas in public and private settings. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing or related field or equivalent professional experience
• At least three to five years of focused communications/outreach experience, including social media accounts, website and digital content.
• A portfolio demonstrating graphic design skills or experience using industry-standard software to develop graphics and/or design professional-quality reports and the ability to clearly explain the rationale for design choices
• Demonstrated public speaking experience before large audiences on complex matters
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues in agriculture and/or issues impacting Tribal governments/citizens
• Demonstrated knowledge of graphic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and evaluate problems, as well as devise effective solutions with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Demonstrated skills in working with attorneys and/or other professionals in a professional environment
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage workload
• Demonstrated ability to interface with the public on complex matters and ability to seek answers and solutions to complex matters through research and collaboration
• Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously with colleagues
• Ability to speak effectively one-on-one, in small groups, or in large and very large groups, as well as with media professionals

Nice To Haves

• Experience with content management systems, (e.g. WordPress), Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. InDesign) and Email platforms (e.g. MailChimp)
• Familiarity with agriculture policy, nutrition and/or food systems
• Familiarity or experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, and/or Tribal citizens
• Prior experience delivering projects funded by federal or private grants

Responsibilities

• Developing, executing, and maintaining comprehensive communication, outreach, and engagement strategy to increase the visibility and profile of IFAI and its major national initiatives.
• Strategic planning, public relations, and direct outreach through social media, webinars, teleconferences, written materials, public speaking, and attending in-person meetings and events.
• Designing and developing external long and short form print and media publications, leading webinars, and publicizing IFAI through social media and web content.
• Help with the delivery of IFAI’s initiatives working directly with Tribal governments, Intertribal organizations, various partners and constituencies, as well as the national media and other external stakeholders.
• Regular long-distance travel by air or vehicle on behalf of IFAI for various events and requires representation of IFAI and the University of Arkansas in public and private settings.
• Create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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