The Communications Manager will help build the global brand reputation of U.S. Soy, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), and our Soy Excellence Centers (SECs), and drive U.S. Soy’s B2B communications and marketing efforts with international food and feed industry customers and related international and domestic stakeholders, in active partnership with USSEC’s focus areas, regions, market access teams, and colleagues in other U.S. Soy organizations.

This position reports to the Director - Communications and works closely with, Soy Excellence Centers (SECs), Focus Areas (Animal & Aquaculture, Soy foods & Oil, and Sustainability), Regions, U.S. Soy Grower Leaders, USSEC leadership, colleagues at the American Soybean Association (ASA), United Soybean Board (USB), and Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs), and communications agency partners and contractors.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of insights-led integrated communications and marketing strategy and plans in partnership with Focus Areas to elevate, differentiate and facilitate market access for U.S. Soy in international markets
• Support USSEC thought leadership and global media relations
• Support Communications operations and coordination, including the newsroom and issues management
• Assist with budget management
• Partner with Focus Area teams and Regional communications team members on branding, marketing material development, communications including content development, amplification, measurement, and reporting
• Work closely with senior leaders in worldwide and regional roles to build and tell USSEC’s story to inspire continued confidence and investment in U.S. Soy
• Manage agencies and freelancers including scope development, prioritization of work flows, and content development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead development and execution of impactful and measurable communications programs at global scale through proactive collaboration and open communication
• Comfortable working with evolving priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment where multi-tasking is required
• Demonstrated experience as a team player and collaborator who is sought after as a partner to work on overall organizational issues.
• Ability to bring creativity to technical content
• Have a growth mindset and pursues operational excellence
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
• Proficiency in social media platforms and integrating communications for the highest impact
• Advanced proficiency with Office 365 products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and related software

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of communications, marketing, or a related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of global communications experience
• Food / agriculture / consumer goods / education sector communications is a plus
• Familiarity with food & ag industry and knowledge
• Familiarity with U.S. agriculture, agricultural programs, and policies a plus
• Success working across cultures and nationalities
• Demonstrated leadership and maturity when engaging up-down-and-across the organization and internationally

Physical Requirements

• Light sedentary office work
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to travel (up to 25%) domestically & internationally, and work productively across international time zones

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, functions, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, functions, and activities may be modified, changed or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice, subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

About USSEC

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) builds preference for U.S. soybeans worldwide by creating demand through educating soy users and connecting soy professionals. We are a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing soybean producers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations.

The USSEC team is governed by core values. These values shape our culture and define the very character of our organization. They guide how we behave and make decisions. AT USSEC WE … DELIVER WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE, ACT RESPONSIBLY, FOSTER OUR DIVERSITY AND TRUST OUR TEAM. To learn more, visit www.ussec.org/ussecvalues.

USSEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact USSEC at (Number and Email for the contact person). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging program discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at:

https://www.ascr.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Complain_combined_6_8_12_508_0.pdf or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax: (202) 690-7442; or email [email protected]. Additional information on filing a program discrimination complaint can be found at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.

This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.