Company description

The Savanna Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Madison, WI and Champaign, IL, works with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities. For more information, please visit https://savannainstitute.org.

Job description

Job Opening: Communications Specialist

The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Communications Specialist to expand the Institute’s relationships with brands, provide communications support for the Agroforestry Coalition, and expand capacity for the production of excellent communication materials.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development. To that end, we are seeking a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Who We Are

The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, WI and Urbana, IL. Established in 2013, we work in collaboration with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities. For more information, please visit savannainstitute.org.

Job Description

Hours: full-time

Location: Madison, WI or remote

Start Date: 1/22/2024

Salary: $45,000 - $55,000

• This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 30 days paid time off per year, 3 weeks of paid family leave, a health reimbursement arrangement that can be applied to insurance premiums and approved healthcare costs, and a monthly home office stipend.
• This position reports to the Assistant Director of Communications

Duties/Responsibilities

• Brand Partnerships (25%): Working closely with the Senior Director Impact & Engagement, the Communications Team, and the Director of Development pilot Savanna Institute’s brand partnerships, including:
  • Working with Communications and Development to identify potential sponsorship packages and potential impact metrics for each product (could include sponsorships for events, communications products, and educational resources)
  • Connecting with business partners and pitching sponsorship opportunities
  • Coordinate with Commercialization Department to ensure alignment across programs
  • Managing sponsorship placements, relationships with brand marketing departments, regularly communicating impact metrics
  • Manage annual requests for sponsorships for the PFG and Open House
  • Managing conference sponsorships by booking and corresponding with conference hosts and any Savanna Institute staff attending

• Coalition Communications (30%): Working closely with Asst. Director of Partnerships and Asst. Director of Communications, ensure that:
  • The Agroforestry Coalition membership receives timely updates on Coalition activities
  • Coalition website is updated as needed, meetings are scheduled, and notes are taken and shared from Working Group meetings
  • Support Coalition Speakers Bureau requests
  • Support Communications Working Group in initiatives like Marketing Board creation, op-ed or article responses, and other communications needs for the coalition
• General Communications Projects (30%): Could include
• Placing and managing Savanna Institute’s advertising calendar so ads are relevant, on budget and make the most impact
• Supporting with newsletter production by gathering sponsor and partner content to include in the newsletter
• Writing and soliciting partner content for the Savanna Institute and Agroforestry Coalition blogs
• Supporting the management of the Savanna Institute communications archive of assets and materials
• Working with programs to develop program-related materials and copy
• Social media outreach, especially for events
• Overhead and meetings (15%)
  • Weekly Communications Team meetings
  • Regular one on one meetings with co-workers
  • Grant writing and research for proposals as needed

Required Qualifications

• Ability to accurately prioritize and take tasks to completion
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive, self-directed and reliable with excellent organizational skills and eye for detail
• Access to personal phone/computer

If you're excited about this job, we're excited to learn about your experience! Please be sure to address each of the qualifications in your cover letter — paint us a picture of how your unique skills, experiences, and/or education meet or exceed the qualifications. Cover letters should be no longer than one typed page.

Questions? Email Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Operations Manager, kathleen@savannainstitute.org.

Diversity Commitment

The Savanna Institute affirms the value of diversity of staff and stakeholders, and aims to foster inclusive environments and equitable outcomes of our work. We seek individuals who are committed to these goals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $45,000.00 - $55,000.00

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

December 20, 2023