The Fertilizer Institute

www.tfi.org

 

ABOUT THE FERTILIZER INSTITUTE

Experts estimate that there will be more than nine billion people on our planet by 2050. That’s nearly three billion more people that are alive today. People from all walks of life with all kinds of ideas, but who share one common challenge: each will experience hunger, requiring food to survive. Fertilizer has played—and will continue to play—a key role in meeting this eternal challenge. TFI’s members are the global producers, retailers and suppliers in the fertilizer industry that are feeding a growing world, while improving nutrition security. The industry directly employs 85,000 people in 50 states with a total economic impact of $161 billion.

STAKEHOLDER EDUCATION

TFI plays a vital role in promoting and educating stakeholders on the benefits of environmental stewardship and nutrient science. The association is advancing the fertilizer industry’s sustainability efforts by helping manufacturers and producers meet current food and fiber protection needs without compromising the ability of future generations to further increase crop yields.

As an example of these educational efforts, TFI endorses a best management practice concept known as 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4R philosophy is an innovative and science-based approach that enhances environmental protection, expands production, increases farmer profitability and improves sustainability. The concept is to use the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, with the right placement.

Ultimately, TFI’s educational efforts center around two key areas: 1) encouraging the fertilizer industry to adopt a mindset of shared values so that producers, retailers and suppliers understand the actions required to be sustainable and good stewards of their products; and 2) promoting those values to external audiences including legislators, regulators and interested third parties such an environmental NGOs and food companies with agricultural interests. Ultimately, the goal is help farmers increase adoption of stewardship practices and use fertilizer responsibly.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING ROLE:

Reporting to the Vice President of Public Affairs, the new Senior Manager will develop and execute integrated public relations and marketing strategies geared toward members and external audiences using a variety of brand marketing and communication techniques. Examples of notable upcoming projects include: developing content for a major website redesign, boosting visibility for the 4R campaign, and packaging results from the “State of the Industry” sustainability report to be presented to the board of directors in February.

 

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the vice president of public affairs in developing and executing integrated communication campaigns to positively position the fertilizer industry before federal policymakers, NGO’s and targeted media outlets.

 

• Provide communication counsel to TFI’s stewardship and sustainability team. Assist with the development of brochures, infographics, PowerPoint presentations and ads related to these initiatives.

 

• Produce and distribute TFI’s weekly Report to Members and News Briefs.

 

• Write regular editorial columns for CropLife Magazine, Ag Professional Magazine and other publications as requested.

 

• Supervise the design and production of TFI materials, including TFI’s annual report, ads and brochures. Serve as an editor of Institute communication materials such as communication with TFI members.

 

• Assist TFI’s member services team in developing a membership marketing plan, assisting with implementation on an as-needed basis.

 

• Assist TFI’s conference team in maintaining and growing TFI’s reputation for top-notch meetings. Assist with speaker selection, provide creative direction for branded meeting materials and write general session introductory remarks for use by TFI’s member leadership.

 

• Manage TFI’s website and generate ideas to improve its effectiveness as a communication tool. Advise and support TFI’s Stewardship and Sustainability team as it manages nutrientstewardship.org.

 

• Serve as the backup spokesperson on key issues.

 

• Provide strategic direction for TFI’s social media strategy.

 

• Manage the Institute’s social media networks, including TFI’s Twitter feed and YouTube channel.

 

• Establish dashboard metrics to track effectiveness of TFI’s social media strategy and other communications outreach on an ongoing basis.

 

• Field public and member requests for industry information.

 

• Periodic domestic travel to three annual conferences and site visits member companies.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience, skills, and attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 7 years’ experience serving in a B2B externally-facing marketing role, focused on industry branding.

 

• A strong public relations mindset while interested in using marketing communication skills to promote TFI’s stewardship and sustainability message to stakeholders.

 

• Strategic thinking yet comfortable engaging in the tactical work of daily communications

 

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to influence internal and external audiences

 

• A passion for contributing energy and innovative ideas to developing creative communications campaigns, both traditional and digital

 

• A commitment to teamwork and advancing the industry with one collective voice

 

• An interest in agriculture and supporting the advancement of this vital industry

 

TO APPLY:

This is a retained search. Email cover letter with salary requirements and resume to Shira Harrington, Purposeful Hire, Inc. at shira@purposefulhire.com. All candidates must be vetted by Purposeful Hire.

 

 

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