Careers at Food Export

Marketing and Communications Manager

Posting Date: 4/14/2023

Organization: Food Export - Northeast

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Contact: recruiting@foodexport.org

Employer Information

Food Export-Northeast is a private, non-profit trade association representing state agricultural promotion agencies. Our mission is the development and expansion of international markets for U.S. food and value-added agricultural products. We participate in the Market Access Program (MAP) of the Foreign Agricultural Service of USDA. The Marketing and Communications Manager position supports both Food Export-Northeast and Food Export-Midwest. The position will be based in the Philadelphia office.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy for Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast.

• Develop and maintain a broad-based marketing and communications strategy that complies with federal requirements for broad access to Food Export services. Have available for USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and EEO compliance staff, as required.
• Work with Executive Director, Deputy Directors, Program Managers, member state representatives, and staff to identify key messages and determine appropriate delivery to various target audiences.
• Optimize use of outside vendors, as budget allows, assisting in the design, compliance, and implementation of all marketing and communications functions while fully leveraging the time and skill sets of internal Communications team members.
• Manage and oversee Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast brand standards across all platforms, including print/digital/social media; at the organizations’ presence in domestic and international trade shows; and with collateral imaging and messaging with our partners.
• Maintain regular communications with member state representatives, partners, vendors, USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) cooperators, key USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff, and member state Congressional Delegations, among others.
• Contribute to the yearly submission of the Unified Export Strategy (UES) application to USDA FAS, which determines overall program funding.

Manage Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast print and digital communications for domestic and international audiences.

• Manage staff and contracted vendors to collect information, write and edit content, and handle all other aspects of print and electronic newsletters, annual reports, presentation materials, web content/blog, social media platforms, and email marketing. Manage project timelines, process invoices, track and monitor budgets to ensure all deliverables are met.
• Oversee development of promotional materials/publications for suppliers/companies, In-Market Representatives (IMRs), importers and relevant partners to promote Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast and the services we provide to these partners.
• Develop and maintain talking points of current events, funding updates, organizational changes, etc., for varied use by the Executive Director or other team members when attending various Food Export or external partner activities.
• Work with staff and individual project managers to identify the success of export initiatives and/or sales realized as a direct result of the organizations’ activities. Use these “success stories” to highlight the benefit of participating in Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast programs among state/federal government officials, the media, and current or potential participant companies.

Oversee marketing and communications-related duties such as: proactive public relations strategy for various industry sectors; legislative education strategy; media monitoring and response, and crisis communications.

• Work with staff, partner associations and organizations to develop and share relevant content that communicates the organizations’ role and opportunities for broader awareness and participation in our programs.
• Provide information, on a proactive basis, about the organizations’ operations and successes to the public and state/federal government officials, including members of Congress, on a regular and ongoing basis.
• In coordination with program staff and outside vendor(s), assist in monitoring various industry sectors, such as seafood, feed, ingredients, hemp, and wood; provide content, public relations outreach, and industry relations activities, as needed.
• Manage and monitor media for activity related to Food Export’s mission and engage in both proactive and reactive communication efforts to address issues as necessary.
• Develop and maintain a crisis communications strategy and plan that anticipates potential crisis communication needs, engage relevant stakeholders, and be prepared to implement, as necessary.

Provide staff support, leadership, and guidance, motivating staff and guiding their actions to ensure effective implementation of the program of work.

• Accountable for the successful performance of all direct reporting staff.
• Lead effort on selection and providing hiring recommendation to Executive Director for vacant direct-report positions.
• Provide all necessary training as well as regular and frequent feedback and motivation of all direct reports to maximize performance and job satisfaction.
• Conduct annual and midyear performance appraisal for all staff on a timely basis.
• Ensure compliance to all Food Export policies and procedures by reporting staff.
• In case of substandard performance by reporting staff, lead efforts to improve performance or recommend alternatives, including replacement.

Other

• Undertake special projects as requested.

Requirements

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Education:

• Bachelor’s level degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field.

Work Experience (highly preferred):

• At least 10 years work experience in a related field, at least five of which are at a management level, ideally in a non-profit or association environment. The position supervises several staff persons plus numerous outside vendors. Previous experience with supervision of staff and vendors is necessary and ability to work with remote office technology.

Core Competencies:

• Working knowledge of executing marketing and communications plans and content development across various channels, public relations, publicity activities, graphic design and layout including desktop publishing, technical writing and editing, direct mail and printing and publishing industry, all forms of digital communication and government relations. Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as vendor and project management. General knowledge of private sector business and marketing practices are helpful, as is familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics and understanding of marketing analytics. Must be well organized, accurate, and deadline driven.
  

 Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• This position requires light duty physical work during general office duties, association meetings and trade shows. Some infrequent physical demands in moving boxes of publications, files, or trade show materials. Domestic and international travel may require up to two to four weeks of travel per year.

How to Apply

• Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, resume, and references, in confidence, to: recruiting@foodexport.org

Food Export-Northeast offers an excellent comprehensive employee benefits package. The office environment is hybrid, with a combination of in-office and remote days per week.

Financial assistance for relocation is not budgeted for this position.

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers