Communications Manager (West Des Moines, IA)

Communications Manager

As a Communications Manager for Iowa Select Farms, you will use various communication media to develop, deploy, and measure business-related information with employees, contractors and stakeholders.

The Communications Manager will be involved in leading and providing support to all communications programs and efforts, including employee events and recognition programs, employee engagement programs, public affairs/issues management, internal communications, corporate communications and branding, sustainability reporting and programs of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation.

This position will be required to create and execute communication plans using a variety of media such as content marketing, feature writing, event management and deployment of messages in print, video, social and various content marketing platforms.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• The communications manager will build and drive strategies to increase employee engagement, including, but not limited to organizing and assisting with managing company meetings and social events, creating and executing communications and content marketing initiatives in support of specific business goals
• Work alongside the leadership team in the development and execution of our communication strategies to further the objectives of the company including issue and crisis management, corporate social responsibility, and media and strategic communications.
• The communication manager will be responsible for capturing and writing features on employees, farm/department teams, contractors and stakeholders which includes routinely visiting farms and locations across Iowa to meet with individuals and teams
• A key contributor with organizing, planning and executing company and foundation events, meetings, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate logistics, communication, and follow up for internal events, training and programs.
• Assist with the development and implementation of all company materials (advertising, literature, year-end report, promotions, events, public relations, website and online engagement) and help maintain company branded content and materials.
• Develop and/or edit written materials such as newsletters, fact sheets, white papers, and presentations on topics such as animal welfare, technology, environmental issues, labor, economic impact, and production practices.
• Will be accountable for helping create and execute company awards and recognition programs
• Coordinate web page maintenance to ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, photos and videos) is posted regularly on company website and various social media platforms
• Collaborate with internal teams on special projects related to marketing, recruitment, and company storytelling. Assist with content coordination and execution across social media and other platforms as needed.
• Engage in and assist with planning and execution of the programs of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation.
• Oversee company clothing store and coupon distribution with third party vendor

Leadership Competencies:

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality; Trustworthy when handling sensitive information and communications
• This position will work closely with employees, managers, supervisors, support departments, external individuals, etc. so strong written and verbal skills are vital for clear and timely communication. Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism with the ability to collaborate with all departments and audiences across the business
• Time Management and Organizational Skills: Our business culture is fast paced. Ability to prioritize daily tasks, manage multiple tasks, manage timelines, and meet deadlines. Ability to delegate when needed. Maintain structure and routines while remaining flexible.
• Highly organized and proactive; Manage the scheduled day/paperwork and people while taking the initiative are essential. Must be detail-oriented and have a high degree of accuracy, quality control and thoroughness.
• Customer Service Focused: Be friendly, positive, helpful, team-oriented and respectful to all employees, contractors and customers. Support these groups with a "how can I help?" attitude. Demeanor should be positive, professional, and passionate always while maintaining quality of work, being proactive and self-motivated.
• Strong personal initiative, accountability, problem-solving skills, creativity and ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Ability to work well in partnerships involving a wide variety of stakeholders and organizations.
• Adaptable and comfortable with evolving responsibilities

Company Values and Expectations:

• We believe in doing the right thing every day, operating with character and integrity, and being stewards of our resource by committing to:
• Our Animals
• Our People
• Our Environment
• Our Community
• The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We expect all leaders, managers, and employees to demonstrate, foster and promote:
• Respect: We treat people with respect regardless of personal opinions or differing backgrounds, and no one within the organization is more or less important than anyone else
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for completing our job responsibilities and following through on our commitments. We encompass our ability to recognize our own strengths and areas for improvement as well as accept responsibility for the performance and actions of ourselves and our teams without blaming others.
• Good Decision-Making: We are expected to continuously improve processes, attain results, and create efficiencies to achieve our mission while solving problems based on a combination of factual information, analysis, wisdom, and experience.
• Flexibility: We must react to changing circumstances, ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence, openness, positive energy, and optimism.
• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms bio-security policy at all times which includes reporting any violations or concerns to management team
• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policy at all times and partner with the Health and Care team in a timely manner if an incident occurs
• Compliance with Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures
• To maintain biosecurity standards, employees working on a farm are prohibited from cohabitating with employees from other production departments or support teams that access farms other than those assigned to their department.

Work Environment:

• The environment of this position will change daily pending weekly schedule and will have work that is performed both indoors and outdoors.
• Need to be able to work in any environment within Iowa Select Farms
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, cameras, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physicality Requirements:

• Required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
• The employee must have the ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds
• The employee must be able to continuously repeat necessary movements such as bending, lifting and different hand movements as needed to complete tasks.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include reading, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is an on-site position requiring all daily job duties to be performed in person at designated Iowa Select Farms locations, including office, warehouse, and farm sites, based on business needs and company policy.
• This is a full-time position that will typically require at least 40 hours a week, typically Monday - Friday. Must be available for weekend and evening work, when necessary.

Travel:

• Approximately 30 percent in-state travel will be required for this position through the utilization of a company vehicle.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• No direct supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Education, Experience and Other Qualifications:

• BA or BS degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related degrees, experience and/or background in agriculture preferred
• At least three years of work experience in public relations or communications.
• Candidate must have proven writing, content marketing and photography skills
• Candidate must have strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Candidate must have experience and be fluent in social media management, including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
• Must have fluency in Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Experience in content management and SMS system a plus (Constant Contact)