Public Education and Communications Program Manager

The Communications Manager will lead communications and promotional programs aimed at educating the public about the Wisconsin cranberry industry and its growers in Wisconsin, maintaining a strong reputation for the industry, and promoting the consumption of cranberries. Qualified applicants will be considered. Specific qualifications for the position are:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, strategic communications or a related field
• 3-5 years of full-time professional public relations/communications experience 
• Excellent writing and editing abilities 
• Strong, effective interpersonal and communication skills 
• Demonstrated experience with media relations 
• Experience with social media management including content, ad buying and analysis
• Experience with event management 
• Self-starter, detail-oriented, able to work independently and in team environments 
• Flexibility to staff events offsite and/or on weekends, ability to travel (approximately 10%), driver’s license/insurability 
• Basic graphic design, photography and videography skills an added plus.

The Communications Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and leads communications and promotional programs aimed at educating the public about the Wisconsin cranberry industry and its growers in Wisconsin, maintaining a strong reputation for the industry, and promoting the consumption of cranberries.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Working with the Executive Director and Public Relations Committee to develop an industry public relations and communications plan 
• Implementing the public relations and communications plan, including various communications and marketing initiatives 
• Developing content for and managing WisCran.org website and Wisconsin Cranberries social media channels content and strategic ad program 
• Writing and editing various communications materials, including newsletter articles, annual reports, program books, news releases, pitch letters, talking points, articles and blog posts 
• Conducting media relations efforts on behalf of industry, including managing reactive and proactive news opportunities 
• Managing WSCGA’s partnership/sponsorship program, including logistics and contract negotiation 
• Managing approximately 10-15 sampling events each year, including on-site event logistics, staffing, volunteer recruitment, etc. 
• Managing WSCGA’s State Fair activation, including product and booth logistics, booth staff training, media relations and marketing 
• Coordinating and marketing the Made with Wisconsin Cranberries program, including establishing and promoting partnerships

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, strategic communications or a related field 
• 3-5 years of full-time professional public relations/communications experience 
• Excellent writing and editing abilities 
• Strong, effective interpersonal and communication skills 
• Demonstrated experience with media relations 
• Experience with social media management including content, ad buying and analysis 
• Experience with event management 
• Self-starter, detail-oriented, able to work independently and in team environments 
• Flexibility to staff events offsite and/or on weekends, ability to travel (approximately 10%), driver’s license/insurability
• Basic graphic design, photography and videography skills an added plus.

Competitive compensation package with Health Insurance, 401k, disability and life insurance.