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The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the public awareness, media, and governmental relations for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County. The primary responsibility is to ensure that all program areas of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and their subject matter, program impacts and human-interest stories are kept before the public, press, elected officials, and decision-makers in Suffolk County. This position requires cultivating and sustaining active professional networks with local and regional media outlets, reporters, editors, producers, and public information officers to ensure CCE Suffolk’s work is consistently represented accurately, timely, and favorably across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. The Public Relations and Development Director must demonstrate the ability to translate highly technical, scientific, and policy-oriented expertise into clear, engaging messaging that resonates with mainstream and diverse audiences, while preserving accuracy and integrity of the underlying science.

The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for creating marketing goals for the Association and implementing them in a timely manner through mass media, e-newsletters, Association websites and social media outlets. Supervising the Marketing Specialist and volunteers. Provide liaison between print and electronic media for CCE Educators and serving as marketing and communications consultant to staff.

The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for specific fundraising development activities as pertains to the entire Association. The role includes leading or coordinating fundraising for private donations, requiring familiarity with modern fundraising strategies such as donor cultivation, sponsorship development, special events, annual campaigns, targeted solicitations, and digital giving—along with evolving practices for measuring fundraising effectiveness, donor retention, and engagement.

The Public Relations and Development Director is also expected to support or co-lead grant development efforts, including identifying external funding opportunities and contributing to proposal narratives, impact statements, communications plans, stakeholder and partner engagement methods, and dissemination strategies across multiple CCE divisions.

Required Qualifications:

+ Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Management, Journalism or related field. An associate degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field, plus two years transferable program/functional experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.

+ Demonstrated experience building and managing media relations, including established relationships with local press, producers, and reporters

+ Ability to meet regular travel requirements associated with this position. A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for agency insurance coverage are required.

+ Ability to meet acceptable background check requirements.

+ Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

+ Ability to effectively direct, manage and coordinate the Association public affairs direction and efforts.

+ Ability to effectively direct, manage and coordinate the Association financials including but not limited to fundraising and successful grant research, writing and management.

+ Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

+ Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Constant Contact, Canva, client relations management database, internet software and social media platforms.

+ Ability to communicate effectively.

+ Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.

+ Ability to effectively market the Association and regional events including through the use of social media.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Demonstrated experience communicating scientific or technical subject matter to public audiences (e.g., agriculture, marine science, nutrition, environmental issues, energy, climate)

+ Experience developing integrated communications campaigns that use both earned and paid media, digital content strategy, and measurable engagement outcomes

+ Demonstrated ability to plan and execute private fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation and stewardship, sponsorship acquisition, event-based fundraising, direct appeals, and digital fundraising campaigns; ability to evaluate fundraising effectiveness using modern performance measures (e.g., cost-per-dollar-raised, donor retention, conversion rates, engagement metrics).

+ Strong writing portfolio including press releases, long-form storytelling, newsletters, donor communications, and web/digital content.

+ Experience in crisis communications, public issue response, or reputation management.

+ Familiarity with nonprofit development practices, donor stewardship, and fundraising performance metrics.

+ Experience supervising staff or leading multi-stakeholder teams

+ Demonstrated ability to use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights, email campaign dashboards) to guide strategy.

+ Experience in government relations or communicating with elected officials and public agencies.

POSITION DETAILS:

Salary: $85,000-$90,000 per year

Schedule: EXEMPT – Reg: 40+ Hours per Week

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available

HOW TO APPLY:

Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates is obtained.

Applicants need to:

Attach/upload a resume to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload a cover letter to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload contacts info for three references to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.

In the "Experience" section of your application, use the Paperclip icon to search for file(s) or use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application. Once the application is submitted, you will not be able to change your submission or add attachments.

External Applicants: (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations), please refer to the Applying for a Job (External Candidate) (https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/how-we-hire) document for additional guidance.

Internal Applicants: Current employees of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association indicated in this job posting are considered internal applicants; please refer to the Applying for a Job (Internal Candidate) (https://apps.hr.cornell.edu/workdayCommunications/Recruitment%20job%20aids/applying\_for\_a\_job\_internal.pdf) document for additional guidance.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform their essential functions. If you require an accommodation to participate in the selection process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Human Resources at (631) 727-7850 or via email at [email protected]

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

Job Title:

Association Communication Manager

Level:

002

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Ashley Downs

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement (https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs) . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.