Overview
ACAP (Accelerating Appalachia) is a pioneering organization that created the world's first regenerative agriculture accelerator. ACAP aims to build networks in regenerative agriculture that foster resilient communities and local economies, support commodity supply chains in Central / Southern Appalachia, and create producer pipelines to regenerative commodities. ACAP works with producers across 8-state underserved regions, including those impacted by job losses in mining, forestry, and the textile industry. ACAP launched Building Appalachian Agricultural Resilience (BAAR) in 2023 to incentivize regenerative practices across eight states, offering direct cash payments and training / marketing assistance, funded by the USDA, donors, and foundations.
Position
The Marketing Specialist is responsible for assisting the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) with internal and external communications, shaping ACAP's public image, reputation, and stakeholder relationships by developing and executing comprehensive communication plans aligned with the organization's vision and goals. The Marketing Specialist will support communications related to marketing the BAAR program, regenerative practices, and commodities produced by producer participants. The Marketing Specialist works closely with BAAR program staff to expand market opportunities, improve farmers' access to markets, and increase economic opportunities for farmers. ACAP employees work primarily remote and may travel throughout the 8-state service area to witness innovative farmer support work and peer-to-peer learning networks.
This description reflects the responsibilities and expectations for the Marketing Specialist role.
Responsibilities
Work alongside BAAR team to expand marketing opportunities for farmer participants, provide technical assistance to producers about go-to-market strategies, and help producers develop business plans.
Collaborate with BAAR team to implement comprehensive communication strategies across all channels (traditional and digital) to support ACAP objectives, including brand messaging, crisis management, and reputation management.
Assist with creation and distribution of project-related content (press releases, social media posts, website content, and other communications materials).
Assist with internal channels to keep employees informed about updates, initiatives, and strategic direction; monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication efforts and propose improvements.
Support the CCO in communicating with the media, stakeholders, and other audiences; foster and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (investors, customers, community leaders, partners); provide guidance to BAAR team and contractors on communications and marketing strategies; serve as a thought partner to the CCO regarding external communications including social media presence and community partnerships; perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Strong communications skills, including excellent written and verbal abilities to craft compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
Location, Hours, and Travel
ACAP is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Working hours are flexible, and the TA Specialist should be reasonably available and responsive to the ACAP team, partners, and farmers. Some evening and weekend work may be required, but not extensively. The TA Specialist must be willing and able to travel regularly to meet with farmer participants in the program and attend in-person meetings throughout the project area. The project footprint includes Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, northern Georgia, and southern Ohio.
Benefits
Equal Employment Opportunity
Accelerating Appalachia offers equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and / or expression, or marital status. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace.
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Marketing Specialist • Washington, DC, United States