Sr. Manager for External Relations

Senior Manager for External Relations

Full-time, Remote w/in New England

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.

Programming across the country, but especially within New England, has grown exponentially. That growth has been focused on supporting, building relationships with, and more deeply connecting to farmers, thought leaders, and policymakers across the region as we seek transformative change to our agricultural systems within the region.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

The Position

The New England Senior Manager for External Relations will inform, elevate, focus, and coordinate regional strategy and communications to serve high-level program, policy, and funding partners. The Senior Manager collaborates with AFT New England Program Leadership to drive meaningful strategic growth, program impact, and establish positive market perception. An exceptional catalyst and polished externally facing leader, this individual will be part of the NE Program senior management team, along with the Regional Director and Deputy Director.

Responsibilities center on two primary roles focused on helping to manage strategic relationships and strategic messaging as follows:

• Articulate, curate, and maintain an external message about the vision, priority goals, and impact of AFT’s work clearly and concisely in a manner that inspires and motivates allies and supporters.
• Sustain, deepen, and cultivate key relationships to build AFT’s reputation, visibility, and impact.

The Senior Manager will provide a unique blend of communications skills, operations capacity, and program strategy to deepen relationships, strengthen the brand, and grow the pipeline of impactful collaborations and allies that support an impactful AFT NE program. The Senior Manager will work with regional leadership and other staff to fully understand and articulate the strategies and tactics used, as well as the goals and objectives of the major programs within the region, including policy. Additionally, the Senior Manager will bring deep outreach and fundraising experience to collaborate with AFT’s New England Philanthropy Officer and national development staff, ensuring they have the tools and a strategic communications plan to succeed. Depending on the specific experience of the chosen candidate, a deeper role collaborating with the New England Senior Policy Manager would be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, deepen, and cultivate key relationships to build AFT’s reputation, visibility, and impact.
• Craft and deliver strategic messaging about the vision and impact of AFT’s work clearly and concisely to inspire and motivate allies and supporters.
• Support, build, and maintain high-impact external program relationships, including taking the lead on a portfolio of 8-10 key relationships.
• Oversee, evolve, and guide the development and implementation of a right-sized strategic communications and outreach strategy that supports high-level outreach, generates impactful partnerships, and supports fundraising through storytelling in print, media coverage, and speaking engagements in key markets.
• Supervise the NE Communications and Outreach Manager’s contribution to the above strategy.
• Craft and oversee the development of highly impactful communications (written and visual communications) that capture the environmental, economic, and human impact of the work to motivate and engage key audiences.
• Develop and hone key program messages and create content appropriate for key external audiences and settings, including donors, other funders, and policymakers.
• Support other NE program staff in strengthening the external program relationships they are uniquely positioned to hold.
• Train and support staff to effectively and consistently incorporate key program messages when engaging with external audiences.
• Support the NE Team as needed with strategy, talking points, marketing visuals, and tasks as assigned to advance key opportunities.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Approach, and Know-how

• You are a creative thinker who deeply understands people, including our issues, intended audiences, and levers for change.
• You’re energized by the opportunity to invite key thought leaders and stakeholders to engage with us and collectively be part of our solution.
• You are the consummate team player who knows that a rising tide lifts all boats and that our individual success depends on our teammates, and our teammates’ success depends on us.
• You enjoy working to solve problems. You are excited by the challenge of navigating the (sometimes) unknown and willing to experiment until you find the right mix.
• You want to leverage on-the-ground conservation work, public policy, and communications to calibrate our communication and development strategies in a way that builds support for the ongoing work.
• You can’t wait to shout AFT’s bold vision and energizing mission from the rooftops—and funders and influencers can’t help but be inspired and motivated to support this cause and work in the region.
• You are a generalist who knows external relations and development top to bottom, can quickly learn what you don’t know, and will roll up your sleeves to support the team and get things done.
• You understand impact communications and relationship-building fundamentals but thrive in a startup environment where initiative, creativity, and adaptation are key.
• You have figured out how to manage multiple tasks and projects with ease and calm.

Nuts and Bolts Experience

• You have demonstrated success managing and forging relationships with multiple stakeholders, and high-level, high-impact relationships.
• You have proven experience significantly growing an organization’s reputation, strategic partnerships, and revenue.
• You have at least five years’ experience in a senior-level development and/or external affairs/impact communications/advocacy position.
• You have experience managing communications and outreach staff.
• You have strong knowledge of best practices in public relations, business, and partnership development.
• You have experience or strong working knowledge in fundraising, especially in corporate and private foundation sectors, but are also skilled at individual donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship.

Compensation

The salary range is from $85,000 – $95,000, based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full-time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
• Medical & Prescription Coverage.
• Dental Coverage.
• Vision Coverage.
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD).
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment.
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 sick days per year).
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three floating holidays (depending on hiring month).

Why You Should Apply

• • Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced, and fun team.
  • A diverse and inclusive work environment.
  • A cause and mission you can be proud of.

Learn more here