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 88,000 people in 50 states with a total economic impact of $155 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 POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS ROLE:

Reporting to the Vice President of Public Affairs, the Sr. Manager will increase the visibility of TFI, building its reputation as an engaged “white hat” industry among congress, regulatory agencies, and trade press. Serving as an internal public affairs resource to the Legislative Affairs and Public Policy teams, the Sr. Manager will help create consistent, targeted messages to policy makers that brand TFI and the fertilizer industry as relevant in the legislative and regulatory arenas. In addition, the Sr. Manager will develop messaging to association membership to encourage participation in the PAC and grassroots activities.

Overall, the Sr. Manager will be responsible for 1) raising PAC funds; 2) increasing grassroots engagement; 3) communicating legislative & regulatory activities to members; 4) producing GR collateral for Congress, regulators, and members; 5) writing and collecting information (excluding desktop publishing); and 5) generating media leads through trade publication placement.

Primary responsibilities will be focused on PAC activities, and will also include generating white papers, fact sheets, web updates, grassroots letter writing campaigns, fundraiser marketing and event planning; and coordinating with related agricultural associations.

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

PAC Communications

• Serve as key coordinator for FERTPAC Committee activities
• Coordinate preparation of annual FERTPAC budget
• Prepare FERTPAC annual report
• Develop and maintain “prior approval campaign” to obtain authorization from TFI members for PAC contributions
• Coordinate annual FERTPAC fundraising events and implement means of raising funds for FERTPAC
• Organize FERTPAC “meet and greet” events with key members of Congress
• Maintain PAC Website and work with senior staff and legal counsel to manage compliance with FEC obligations
• Maintain regular communication with PAC donors (including emails, conference calls and quarterly newsletter)

 

Grassroots Mobilization

Manage Grassroots programs

• Draft “action alerts” and other communications to members to facilitate member engagement in public policy issue campaigns
• Maintain TFI’s grassroots website and make appropriate and timely updates.
• Assist public policy team in coordinating site visits by members of Congress and Agency Officials

Advocacy Communications

Support TFI’s public affairs team:

• Develop and update TFI policy issue briefing papers
• Maintain the policy/government affairs area of TFI’s website
• Generate and distribute news releases and public statements based on TFI activities and policy positions

• Develop working relationships with key trade press including BNA, Inside EPA and the E&E suite of publications
• Serve as an editor of the Institute’s advocacy related communication materials including comments to regulatory agencies and testimony to Congressional committees, etc.

• Support the Director of Public Affairs in production and distribution of TFI’s weekly Report to Members and News Briefs and the monthly report from TFI’s president to the Board of Directors.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5 years’ experience in a political communications / public affairs role within an association, Capitol Hill or agency setting
• A passion for political affairs and policy, viewing politics as a means to affect business advocacy
• A “marketing-mindset” and talent for using public affairs messaging to engage stakeholders
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to influence internal and external audiences
• 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.