Communications Director - job 1 of 2

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Closing Date:

04/16/2025

Type of Position:

Marketing and Communications StrategyNo

Job Type:

Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)Day Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

Associate Director IFAIhttps://www.indigenousfoodandag.com/

Summary of Job Duties:

The Communications Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) within the University of Arkansas School of Law is responsible for advancing IFAI’s goals, missions, and objectives through the full spectrum of strategic communications and program analyzation. The Communications Director is responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining comprehensive communication, outreach, and engagement strategy to increase the visibility and profile of IFAI and its major national initiatives. This involves strategic planning, public relations, and direct outreach through social media, webinars, teleconferences, written materials, public speaking, and attending in-person meetings and events. This position is also responsible for supervising the IFAI communications staff as they manage IFAI’s social media presence, website, and assist in developing communications reports on IFAI’s grant portfolio. The Communications Director reports to and is evaluated by the IFAI Associate Director and works in collaboration with colleagues throughout the campus. This position involves occasional long-distance travel by air or vehicle on behalf of IFAI for various events and requires representation of IFAI and the University of Arkansas in public and private settings.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Media, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or related fields will be considered a substitute if the applicant has relevant experience or a post graduate degree in the listed fields

• At least five years of experience working with Tribal governments, Tribal businesses, inter-tribal organizations, and/or firms focusing on communications and outreach

• At least one year of experience leading, co-leading, or supporting national initiatives on issues of importance to Native American populations

• Experience providing outreach, assistance, and/or training for Native American populations, especially related to food/agriculture issues

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post graduate degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Media or a related field

• At least three years of supervisory experience

• Previous experience interfacing between American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian governments on complex issues related to Tribal sovereignty, governance, and/or food and agriculture

• Public speaking experience before large audiences on issues of importance to Tribal governments and Native American populations

• Willingness to work as part of a complex team of professionals on issues to support Native farmers and ranchers

• Prior work supporting Native American organizations, Tribal governments, and Inter-Tribal organizations and providing advice on communications and outreach plans

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the complex issues affecting Native populations

• Working knowledge of MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and evaluate problems, as well as devise effective solutions with minimal supervision

• Demonstrated skills in working with attorneys and other professionals in a professional environment

• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage workload

• Demonstrated ability to interface with the public on complex matters and ability to seek answers and solutions to complex matters through research and collaboration

• Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking skills to find solutions to complex issues facing Native communities

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues

• Ability to speak effectively one-on-one, in small groups, or in large and very large groups, as well as with media professionals

Additional Information:

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.

$76,000 - $90,000Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeProof of Veteran StatusBrenton Jones, Budget Director, baj005@uark.edu or 479.575.3227

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes