Company description

Farm Action is a nonpartisan, farmer-led watchdog working to hold government and corporations accountable in our food system. We expose how the concentrated power of a few large agribusiness corporations harms farmers, workers, consumers, rural communities, and our national food security—and we provide research-driven solutions to build something better.

Our vision is a fair, sustainable, and healthy food system that supports people and communities instead of corporate interests. Through bold policy work, strategic communications, and broad coalition-building, we’re driving real, measurable wins across the country.

Job description

Position Overview

Farm Action is seeking a Communications Director to lead our strategic communications and strengthen our rural, farmer-led voice in the national movement for fairness in food and agriculture. This remote, U.S.-based position is ideal for a mission-driven communicator with deep experience in strategic communications, narrative development, media relations, and team leadership—someone who can translate complex policy issues into compelling stories rooted in the experiences of farmers, rural communities, and food system workers.

The Communications Director reports to the Senior Director of Programs and supervises the Senior Communications Manager and Communications Coordinator. The Communications Director leads Farm Action’s communications across all platforms, setting strategy and direction for press outreach, digital channels, publications, and creative content. The Director ensures our public voice is consistent, compelling, and grounded in our values, research, and farmer-led perspective.

This position collaborates across departments and is accountable for implementing the organization’s overall strategic plan and communications goals.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Develop and lead Farm Action’s communications strategy in alignment with organizational goals, research findings, and policy priorities.
• Serve as a thought partner to executives on message development, narrative framing, and public positioning, grounded in Farm Action’s rural, farmer-led voice.
• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and evaluation processes.
• Identify upcoming opportunities (legislative moments, news cycles, releases, partnerships, etc.) and guide organization-wide content planning.

Team Management and Collaboration

• Manage and mentor the Senior Communications Manager and Communications Coordinator, supporting their professional growth and overseeing their workload and priorities.
• Oversee contractors, designers, video editors, and other external communications vendors.
• Foster close collaboration with the Research and Policy Department to ensure communications materials are accurate, accessible, and strategically aligned.
• Uphold a collaborative, organized, and proactive work culture within the Communications Team.

Messaging, Content, and Brand Stewardship

• Lead development and refinement of organizational messaging, brand voice, and narrative strategies, ensuring they reflect the perspectives and experiences of farmers and rural communities.
• Ensure clarity, consistency, and impact across all content: blogs, newsletters, press releases, reports, social media, action alerts, videos, graphics, and web content.
• Translate complex research and policy recommendations into clear, compelling, accessible materials for policymakers, the press, and the public.
• Develop talking points, FAQs, editorial content, and positioning statements for campaigns and legislative priority areas.

Media Relations and Public Engagement

• Serve as lead media strategist and, when appropriate, spokesperson for the organization.
• Oversee Farm Action’s media relations by providing strategic direction and high-level oversight.
• Oversee rapid-response communications during breaking news and relevant policy developments, ensuring timely, accurate, and accessible messaging.
• Identify opportunities for op-eds, interviews, and strategic content placement that amplify farmer and rural community voices.

Digital Strategy and Audience Growth

• Oversee management and growth of Farm Action’s social media channels.
• Ensure data-informed decisions by tracking engagement metrics and applying insights to strengthen outreach.
• Develop strategies to expand, diversify, and deepen supporter engagement across email, social media, and campaign actions.
• Guide creative direction for graphics, videos, animations, and other digital materials.

Cross-Organizational Support

• Collaborate across the organization to support grant writing, reporting, events, and educational programming.
  Ensure strong alignment between research, advocacy campaigns, and public messaging.
• Represent the organization at events, meetings, webinars, conferences, and coalition convenings as needed, effectively communicating Farm Action’s rural, farmer-led perspective.

 

Qualifications

• 7+ years of senior-level experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, digital advocacy, or a closely related field.
• Proven track record of leading communications for a high-profile, mission-driven organization, advocacy campaign, or public-interest initiative.
• Working knowledge of food systems, agriculture policy, antitrust issues, or rural advocacy—or a strong commitment and ability to learn these areas quickly.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex research and policy issues into clear, compelling, plain-spoken content for policymakers, the press, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to authentically represent and communicate the perspectives of farmers and rural communities.
• Strong understanding of media dynamics, narrative strategy, and message discipline, with experience shaping public narratives at the national level.
• Experience supervising staff, managing competing priorities, and maintaining high-quality output in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to collaborate productively across teams to ensure accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality communications in all formats.

 

Compensation, Hours, and Location

This is a full-time remote position. Compensation ranges from $82,750–$87,385, based on experience. A monthly $350 healthcare stipend is provided. Benefits include a four-day work week, office closure for two weeks in July and two weeks in December (around Fourth of July and Christmas), eight days off for recognized holidays, and 10 days of paid time off annually.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline