[Hiring] External Communications Catalyst @Heifer International

Role Description

As part of the Global Communications team and the broader Heifer Communications Network, the Director of External Communications will help to interpret, socialize and co-execute with other communications colleagues across Heifer targeted strategies for external engagement that elevate Heifer’s farmer-led program model and program work, stories, messages, materials, people, farmers and strategic partners.

This position will include:

• Creating engagement materials and relationships.
• Facilitating work with PR Consultants to implement external engagement activities.
• Ensuring support for organizational and team priorities and objectives.
• Implementing a mix of methods and platforms, including:
  • Farmer voices
  • Campaigns
  • Mainstream media
  • Social and digital media
  • Influencer networks
  • Op-eds/thought leadership content
  • Live and virtual events
• Grounding implementation and stewardship in clear KPIs linked to organizational programs, positioning, and resourcing priorities.
• Collaborating closely with colleagues in Global Communications, regional Directors of Communications, and other members of Heifer’s Communications Network.
• Strengthening internal capacities across the communications network and within other teams.
• Supporting regional and country communications colleagues to elevate and tailor their external engagement activities.
• Serving as “eyes and ears” for regional and country colleagues to identify value-adding areas for collaboration.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering multilevel and multiplatform external communications initiatives.
• Experience working effectively with external consultant teams.
• A team player who collaborates well across geographies and functions.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Possesses relevant media and digital platform networks.
• Highly organized and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Core values: integrity, agility, collaboration, systems thinking, and dexterity to navigate competing priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (i.e., communications, marketing, media arts, international studies, relevant social science discipline).
• At least 10-12 years of related employment experience, preferably with globally oriented, mission-driven organizations.
• Minimum 5 years of communications leadership experience (managing large-scale projects, staff, initiatives).
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering organizational communications, PR, and engagement strategies in a global context.
• Established networks in media and digital platform content producers.
• Proven experience supporting organizational change initiatives or complex transformation projects.

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits including Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Saving Account.
• Employee assistance program.
• 403(b) retirement plan (match 1% employee to 2% employer up to a maximum of 4% match + 3% employer discretionary contribution regardless of employee contribution).
• 22 vacation days in addition to 12 statutory and discretionary holidays, and 10 sick days per year.
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D).
• Professional development and annual merit increase opportunities.
• Optional critical illness insurance, legal assistance plan, and pet protection.
• And more!