Director, Communications & Content - Irrigation Association

Full-Time • Remote

ABOUT US

The Irrigation Association (IA) is the leading trade association for irrigation equipment and system manufacturers, dealers, distributors, designers, consultants, contractors, and end users. We are committed to ensuring the Irrigation Association remains a central point for collectively elevating our interests and a unifying voice on the value that irrigation brings to green spaces and the food, fuel, fiber and feed that our nation and globe need.

As the Irrigation Association positions itself to meet the future demands of its stakeholders and capture growth opportunities, we listen to and learn from our members, remain agile and responsive, and lead with foresight.

We’re driving innovation in sustainable irrigation practices while serving as the unified voice for our industry.

ABOUT YOU

The Director, Communications & Content is the organization’s chief storyteller and narrative strategist, responsible for shaping how the irrigation industry understands itself and how it is understood by adjacent industries, decision-makers, and the public.

This role leads IA’s industry storytelling, content strategy, and messaging architecture, ensuring irrigation’s value, innovation, and impact are clearly articulated through authoritative content, publications, executive communications, and digital channels. Public affairs communications are supported through clear issue framing, message development, and content assets; IA’s influence is driven primarily through credibility, education, and narrative leadership rather than grassroots advocacy.

You bring a strong editorial sensibility and strategic mindset. You understand how to elevate complex, technical subject matter into compelling industry narratives that build trust, advance understanding, and position IA as the definitive voice on irrigation. You believe great storytelling is a strategic asset and one that informs policy conversations, strengthens industry alignment, and elevates IA’s leadership role.

You lead with clarity, standards, and intent. You set the direction for communications, empower your team to execute at a high level, and ensure every IA communication reflects purpose, coherence, and editorial excellence.

Core Responsibilities will include:

Industry Storytelling & Content Strategy

• Define and lead IA’s long-term industry storytelling and content strategy aligned to organizational priorities

• Establish narrative pillars that articulate the value, impact, innovation, and future of irrigation

• Ensure IA content consistently educates, informs, and elevates industry understanding

• Shape content that serves manufacturers, professionals, partners, and adjacent audiences

• Position IA as the authoritative, credible source on irrigation issues through clarity and insight

• Ensure content strategy emphasizes education and influence rather than grassroots advocacy

• Reviews content performance insights to guide strategic storytelling priorities and resource allocation.

Publications, Editorial Leadership & Content Ecosystem

• Provide strategic oversight and editorial direction for IA’s publications

• Set long-range editorial vision and thematic planning for magazines and major content initiatives

• Ensure publications, digital platforms, and social channels function as a cohesive content ecosystem

• Guide content repurposing and amplification across channels to extend reach and relevance

• Oversee editorial standards, voice consistency, and content quality across all IA outputs

Messaging, Positioning & Executive Communications

• Define IA’s messaging frameworks and positioning across priority topics

• Oversee executive communications, including CEO and board messaging, speeches, and presentations

• Ensure leadership communications reinforce IA’s narrative, authority, and strategic intent

• Coach executives and senior leaders on storytelling, message clarity, and audience alignment

• Serve as senior advisor on tone, framing, and communications approach in high-visibility situations

Public Affairs Communications Support

• Support policy and external affairs efforts through message development, issue framing, and content assets

• Translate policy positions into clear, accessible, educational content

• Ensure consistency between industry storytelling and policy-related communications

• Provide editorial guidance and quality control for public-facing issue materials

• Coordinate with external partners or consultants as needed

Team Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

• Lead and develop the Communications & Content team, setting clear expectations and priorities

• Ensure strong coordination between communications, digital, marketing, policy, and program teams

• Establish efficient content workflows, editorial governance, and decision-making structures

• Foster a culture of strategic thinking, editorial excellence, and accountability

Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

Qualifications, Skills, & Experience will include:

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public affairs, or related field.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic communications, content leadership, or editorial roles.

• Demonstrated success leading content and storytelling strategy at an organizational level.

• Strong background in publications, executive communications, and industry-facing content.

• Experience in associations, trade organizations, or complex B2B environments strongly preferred.

• Comfort working with technical subject matter and translating it for diverse audiences.

• Experience leading through ambiguity, diagnosing problems, and proposing solutions.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong technical acumen and analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft products and the ability to learn and integrate new and emerging technologies to simplify and improve business practices.

Preferred

• Familiarity with program management tools, and data-driven evaluation.

• Experience modernizing legacy programs or transitioning organizations away from ad-hoc practices.

• Industry knowledge in agriculture, irrigation, or the green sector is a plus.

Success Competencies

• Narrative leadership and long-range storytelling vision

• Editorial authority and sound communications judgment

• Strategic storytelling that builds credibility and understanding

• Executive presence and confidence advising senior leaders

• Discipline to prioritize clarity, education, and coherence

• Ability to lead, mentor, and elevate a communications team

Leadership Attributes We Value

• Creative problem solver who sees constraints as design challenges.

• Comfortable questioning legacy approaches and improving them respectfully.

• Calm, structured, and decisive in complex environments.

• Collaborative, not territorial; confident without ego.

• Deep respect for credibility, standards, and volunteer leadership.

Learn more and apply here.