Communications Director - Ranchers Stewardship Appliance

Full-Time

Position Overview: Our Communications Director will be primarily responsible for all public communication and public relations of the organization. All media partnerships, content creation and community engagement will be the responsibility of this person. Representing the organization positively will be a key goal of this position.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Storytelling and Content Creation:

• Develop a full organization, annual, communications strategy as well as a content calendar to ensure thoughtful and curated messaging

• Develop and share compelling stories about RSA's work to engage the ranching community, both established and beginning, and serve as the cheerleader for the benefits of working lands conservation

• Produce and manage content for traditional media (press releases, articles, newsletters) and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)

• Management, maintenance, and updates to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance website as well as coordination with website contractor

• Collaborate with outside contractors or independently produce high-quality video, audio, and print stories that illustrate RSA's impact in meaningful ways

• Ensure all content aligns with RSA's branding and messaging guidelines and the organization's strategic direction

• Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits to increase awareness

• Manage end-to-end editing and repurposing of webinar content into engaging multimedia formats across video, podcast, and social channels.

• Create compelling graphics and visual content for appropriate messaging

• Create and/ or review all public facing media and presentations for different audiences

• Create graphics and content for and promote all educational event opportunities

2. Media and Public Relations:

• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for RSA's outward-facing communication including, but not limited to, traditional media, freelance media, social media, and all other requests related to telling the story of RSA

• Maintain relationships with media partners

• Coordinate interviews, video work, etc. with RSA board members, landowners, and partners

• Create and develop an annual report for print and electronic uses

• Coordinate the design, printing, and distribution of communication materials

• Respond to public requests

• Develop organizational press releases

• Create and place advertising campaigns for RSA utilizing a multimedia approach

• Identify and actively contact media to share RSA's story

• Collaborate with communications teams across agricultural and conservation partner organizations to align messaging and amplify shared initiatives.

  
  

3. Community Engagement:

• Foster relationships with the ranching public and conservation community to promote

• RSA's mission, vision, values, and achievements

• Identify organization's target audiences

• Provide timely public information about RSA activities, upcoming meetings, and opportunities for stakeholder participation and input

• Attend meetings with stakeholders, partners, and resource groups to inform, update and/or coordinate on Ranchers Stewardship Alliance activities such as tours and educational events.

• Design and order promotional items

• Be available for emcee (or identify a replacement) in a public-facing capacity for special and/or educational events, working with team members to create appropriate agendas/scripts

• Build and deliver RSA's e-newsletter and / or a mailed newsletter on a consistent basis

• Work collaboratively among multiple partnerships both internally and externally

4. Social Media Management:

• Maintain and grow RSA's social media presence, engaging with followers and stakeholders to build a vibrant online community

• Monitor social media trends and adjust strategies to maximize engagement and reach

5. Fundraising Communications & Campaign Integration

• Develop campaign messaging and visual content in collaboration with fundraising teams.

• Align fundraising communications with organizational branding and voice.

• Support campaign planning through active participation in fundraising meetings.

• Extend campaign messaging across outreach platforms to ensure consistency.

• Ensure proper deliverables of sponsorship benefits

• Creation and development of language of grant applications

• Awareness of grant and other funding opportunities to bring ideas to the leadership team

6. Ranch Stewards Podcast (Not required but possible for the interested candidate)

• Serve as the podcast host

• Identify potential guests and co-hosts

• Schedule recordings

• Edit, produce, and publish episodes

• Ensure placement of all proper sponsorship advertisements

• Promotion and marketing of podcast episodes

Physical Demands / Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work in a standard office setting, with considerable sitting, standing, and viewing of computer.

• Requires reaching continually throughout the workday (mouse, keyboard, telephone).

• May include lifting up to thirty (30) pounds of media equipment (cameras, sound equipment, etc)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and / or years of experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Environmental Science, or a related field.

• Proven experience in communications, public relations, or media production, preferably within the agriculture or conservation sectors.

• Excellent storytelling, writing, and editing skills with a strong portfolio of work.  Proficiency in social media management and content creation.

• Graphic design skills preferred

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including ranchers, conservationists, and media professionals.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.  Familiarity with video and audio production is a plus.

• Passion for responsible ranching and wildlife conservation.

• Knowledge of rural communities.

• Comfort with basic computer programming and ability to learn new software.

To Apply:

Submit the following to adevries@ranchstewards.org

• Cover letter

• Resume

• 3 References with phone numbers and email addresses

• As part of the application process, we’d love to see three examples of communications work you’re proud of. This could include campaigns, press materials, writing samples, social media content, video content, graphic design, or anything that reflects your creative approach.