Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #640
The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) is a thriving notfor-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in the Catskills, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier Regions of New York State.
30 Years of Supporting New York Farms & Food Businesses — www.cadefarms.org CADE farms is a community of agricultural entrepreneurs & specialists working to build a vibrant food system, in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourished by healthy sustainably produced food.
Communications Manager
The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) seeks a full time Communications Manager to support all aspects of the organizations’ communications needs. This is a senior, professional position responsible for enhancing the organization’s visibility, supporting its marketing and promotional needs, and communicating its vision and impact to the public, including among funders, clients, and other stakeholders.
POSITION SUMMARY: CADE aims to enhance and amplify the organizations’ current work through strategic and collaborative communications amongst the Programs team and organization. The position is cross-cutting, requiring work to be implemented in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Program staff to meet the needs of the larger organization and each program. The ideal candidate will have the ability to multitask, stay organized and self-motivated, and be collaborative and communicative. Must have attention to detail, a keen eye toward visual “light touch” graphic design work, content writing, and copyediting. The candidate must have experience in website maintenance (such as Wix), social media, and general best practices in communications and digital technology.
This is a new position at CADE. To succeed, the ideal candidate will be enthusiastic to identify how the position can evolve to fit within the structure of the organization and vice versa; take leadership in driving the direction of CADE communications, while staying attuned to the needs of clients and the Program team; and develop a comprehensive, forward-looking communications strategy to direct the work in the long term.
ABOUT CADE: CADE (www.cadefarms.org) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991, whose mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises. Our goal is for farm and food businesses to compete and thrive, contributing to a sustainable regional food system and strong local economy. CADE strives to uphold and promote the following values as an organization and in our work with clients: Sustainability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Transparency and Innovation.
CADE is currently undergoing a strategic planning process to identify how the organization can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in New York’s food system and through our services to farm and food business entrepreneurs. CADE is in early phases of identifying our role in the space, and pivoting our work to better meet the needs of current and future diverse agribusiness clientele among Black and Brown entrepreneurs in our geographic area. CADE is making internal systems changes to transition from a white-led to a multicultural organization.
The ideal candidate will be familiar with and committed to anti-racist agendas and be prepared to participate in CADE’s process to creating a more equitable food system and future.
CADE’s office is based in Oneonta, NY. This position allows for remote work, with occasional required meetings at the office, estimated to be 2-4 times per year, as well as periodic site visits to client places of business (i.e., to collect stories, take photos, gather other marketing content). A candidate who choses remote work should plan to spend some initial time in the office at the start of their tenure to get oriented to the position, connect with the team, acclimate to the culture of the organization, etc., and be available for office meetings and client site visits on an as-needed basis The position therefore requires a valid driver’s license and access to a car.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Organizational Communications
Oversee the development and implementation of a CADE communications/digital strategy that identifies communications goals and desired impacts, target audience/outlets, target reach, strategies and tactics, and plan for implementation
Maintain and regularly update the organization’s communications assets and resources (including the website, social media handles, etc.) to serve existing and attract new clients, promote organizational successes, and support organizational positioning as a thought leader for agricultural development
Curate content for and draft/edit/design/manage organizational collateral, including annual report, newsletters, brochures, website, videos, distance learning assets, etc.
Maintain social media handles and develop new handles that reach target audiences, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Conduct press engagement and media outreach, draft press releases, create press tracking system, maintain press list, etc.
Strengthen CADE branding, articulating the “story” of CADE through partner/client storytelling, sharing impact, uplifting thought leadership, using branding guidelines
Maintain email management system (Mailchimp) and client/donor database (Salesforce)
Integrate and synchronize CADE’s digital assets including the website, social media platforms, client management software, Survey Monkey software, online event calendars, etc.
Monitor and analyze CADE’s digital metrics and analytics to assess impact and develop online presence through CADE’s SEO via Google AdWords
Liaise with communications related consultants, designers, developers, programmers, videographers, etc. as appropriate
Manage crisis communications when appropriate
Build out CADE’s infrastructure for financial donations, support individual/major donor fundraising campaigns, assist staff and Board on fundraising messaging
Outreach for long term volunteers
Program Communications
Develop and implement communications plans for each individual CADE program in coordination with CADE program staff
Create and maintain segmented lists of clients, donors, partners, etc. for newsletters and other communications
Meet regularly with program staff to ensure effective collaboration
Partnerships & Thought leadership
Represent CADE in all aspects of organizational/program communications
Stay regularly informed of agribusinesses’ clients listening, consumer/market/funder trends, etc., to inform CADE’s ongoing external messaging
Understand CADE relationships to clients and create/sustain a CADE voice in client communications and outreach
Equity & Sustainability
Ensure CADE values are brought to all aspects of the work: Sustainability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Transparency and Innovation
Patience with and appetite for participating in an ongoing strategic planning process on diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization with significant work to do to advance these agendas inside and out
QUALIFICATIONS:
3-7 years professional or lived experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field
Outstanding (creative) writing, editing, and management skills
Experience in or strong instincts for storytelling - not only stories of people but also converting data into stories
Experience in creating digital / social media content for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Basic graphic design skills (Photoshop, InDesign, and/or Canva)
Working knowledge of website platforms (Wix), email management systems (MailChimp), and client database management (Salesforce)
Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, highly motivated, attentive to detail
Able to accomplish work independently as well as collaboratively
Excellent people and interpersonal skills
Highly discreet in managing client and funder communications and interactions
Experience supervising staff and consultants
Adaptable to frequently changing client/organizational needs and preparedness to respond flexibly
Familiarity with antiracist frameworks and commitment to an equitable, sustainable food system
Languages such as Spanish, Arabic, or French a plus
Experience in agriculture or food systems a plus
Salary
$50,000
Benefits
This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position. It includes health and dental insurance for the employee as well as half coverage for domestic partners and/or dependents, 3 weeks paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, and a retirement fund with 3% employer contribution. Employees also receive a $25 monthly stipend toward their personal mobile phone for work use.
How to Apply
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and 2-3 innovative/creative writing samples (including at least 1 social media content sample) to wendy@cadefarms.org by September 1. When applying, please include Communications Manager Application in the subject line. If the applicant will prefer to work primarily remotely, a plan should be included in the letter of interest for how s/he will coordinate with the rest of the team to support the cross cutting work of the organization. No phone calls please. Farmers, people of color, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for the position.