Job Description

Join boundless thinkers from all walks of life working together to feed the world. Take pride in working with powerful brands, including Purina Animal Nutrition, Nutra Blend, WinField United, Vermont Creamery, KozyShack, and more.

You'll join a global team committed to everything from the seeds that go into the ground, to the technology that improves crop yields and sustainability, to the nutrition that animals need, to marketing the final product.

Community Relations Manager

Job Summary:

This position will lead and execute strategic programs and initiatives that build strong community relationships, have community impact and build the positive reputation of Land OLakes. It will support business goals through community relations initiatives that further our corporate values and social investment in the community.

The position will maintain and build effective internal relationships with individuals, teams and departments and externally with strategic community partners and organizations.

This position will lead teams in managing complex, highly visible community and hunger relief initiatives by relying on advanced organizational, project management, interpersonal and community relations skills and expertise.

The position will lead initiatives that engage Land O'Lakes employees and retirees in community opportunities through volunteering initiatives, participation in community events, and serving on community boards.

The position will focus on Community Relations including employee giving local, national and global initiatives; American Red Cross, local, national and global disaster relief initiatives; Land O'Lakes member, employee and retiree programs and volunteer initiatives; and other community and sponsorship partnerships.

This position will manage all contribution and in-kind donation requests.

Strategic and Project Leadership:

1.Create and manage strategic projects and teams in the community relations department. Provide leadership and overall direction for the team, synthesizing and integrating efforts to maximize results and efficiencies. Collaborate with key business partners in the creation and implementation of strategic community relations initiatives.

2. Analyze internal and external community relations opportunities and make strategic program recommendation. Lead strategies and programs. Evaluate effectiveness of community strategies and tactics and lead changes as needed to shape future efforts.

3. Coordinate implementation process for projects, identify barriers and use problem-solving and mentoring skills to help team meet deadlines and budget requirements.

4. Develop strong relationships with senior staff, business partners, internal and external staff and external resources (e.g. vendors, strategic partners, distribution channels) to partner effectively and achieve results that directly support company, community and business goals. Set up necessary structures and processes that support ongoing collaboration.

External Relations:

Represent Land O'Lakes as a leader in the community. Represent the company with external audiences, partners and community organizations to raise the positive reputation and opinion of Land O'Lakes in the community.

Internal Relations:

Engage employees and retirees as ambassadors for Land O'Lakes in the community. Manage, lead, and execute the annual employee giving campaign/s. Lead volunteer and fundraising initiatives to raise employee engagement and raise the positive reputation of Land O'Lakes as a great place to work and have a career.

Finance and compliance:

Coordinate with finance and legal and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and accountability standards.

1) Prepare and manage budgets; reconcile with expenses, coordinate with finance and VP of Community Relations.

2) Coordinate with legal team to ensure all contracts and legal agreements are created, approved and maintained for all community, foundation and sponsorships initiatives.

Communication Initiatives:

Set strategies with corporate communications team oversee execution of all internal and external communications to represent the community relations and Foundation initiatives in a proactive and positive manner. Communication materials may include correspondence, letters, website, social media, brochures, Annual Reports, presentations, awards and other communication materials as needed.

Education and Experience Required:

* Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience.
* 5 years experience managing project(s) involving multiple team members and including task assignment, working with key customers (internal or external), managing team and customer relationships and managing project deliverables.
* Excellent writing skills with demonstrated ability to develop accurate and appropriate communications in a variety of forms.
* Excellent oral communications skills for a multitude of presentations and meetings and the ability to work and negotiate with key contacts both internally and externally.
* Demonstrated personnel management skills necessary for managing direct staff, volunteer staff and cross-functional teams.
* Demonstrated project management skills for coordinating the planning and implementation of internal and external corporate campaigns.
* Excellent research, problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to work under tight time frames.
* Advanced organizational and interpersonal skills are required to manage complex business relationships and to coordinate the efforts of team. members, business partners throughout the company, cross-functional communications resources, and external resources as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience with employee giving campaigns
* Cause marketing experience
* Public speaking skills and experience

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including pre- and post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land OLakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

Land O'Lakes endeavors to make Landolakesinc.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.