Communications Director

Center for Rural Affairs; Fort Wayne (IN); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a dynamic Communications Director to shape strategies that amplify rural narratives and promote their mission. This integral role involves leading a communications team, enhancing digital engagement, and driving impactful media relations. The position offers flexibility in work location while requiring travel to the main office in Lyons, Nebraska.

Benefits

97% employer-paid family health insurance

Retirement options

Paid time off during holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Experience managing and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Expertise in crafting content for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications team to create effective messaging.
• Direct digital presence and media outreach strategies.
• Ensure alignment with equity principles and community-first mission.

Skills

Relationship building

Drive to achieve results

Inclusive leadership

Setting and managing priorities

Commitment to equity and social justice

Job description

Communications Director - Lyons w/flexible work location

Are you a strategic storyteller with a passion for rural communities, policy advocacy, and economic opportunity? Do you thrive at the intersection of media, mission, and leadership?

Read on. We might be looking for you! In this senior leadership role, you’ll shape and lead bold, forward-thinking communications strategies that amplify our impact across rural America. From launching initiatives in climate resilience and food systems to expanding access to capital for small businesses and communities, your work will directly influence how rural stories are told - and heard.

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a Communications Director. This position is based in Lyons, Nebraska, with flexibility in work location. Regular, reliable travel to the Lyons office is required.

Who We Are

The Center for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non-profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We’ve done this work for 50 years and we do it from rural places with a flexible work environment. Our work creates opportunities for beginning farmers, new business owners, and first-time advocates. The Center’s work is rooted in principles of diversity and inclusion. We believe that a diversity of people and ideas strengthens our work, our workplace, and our communities. We celebrate this diversity and we are committed to advancing practices that create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and we encourage applicants to see if our Mission and Values match yours! Additional information can be found at www.cfra.org.

What You’ll Do

The Communications Director reports to the Chief of Staff and will work closely with the Chief Lending Officer and Chief of Programs and has the following responsibilities:

• Lead a talented communications team in creating messaging that matters—reaching rural communities, policymakers, donors, media, and partners.
• Direct and expand the Center’s digital presence, media outreach, brand visibility, and engagement strategies.
• Partner with executive leadership and program teams to lift up advocacy, lending, and development efforts.
• Serve as the Center’s voice on pressing rural issues—crafting powerful narratives that drive impact.
• Ensure alignment with the Center’s core values, equity principles, and community-first mission.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves)

To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:

• Relationship building: You know how to talk with people to learn what needs they have through conversation and inquiry. People trust you because you’re efficient with their time and have their best interests in mind. You’re able to build networks, as well as alliances, and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests on your time. You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and can bring in allies and partners from marginalized communities, such as people of color, people with disabilities, low-income families, and immigrants.
• Drive to achieve results: You know how to work to your strengths to achieve your own ambitious goals, and you anticipate hurdles as merely a momentary inconvenience. You possess a competitive drive and are creative when prospecting clients. You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to come up with pragmatic, yet innovative, solutions. You have financial acumen and an affinity for the details.
• Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership in your work with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others with lived experience in decision-making. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to clients, partners, and contractors to leverage time and resources for impact.
• Setting and managing priorities: You have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to staff, partners, consultants, and volunteers to leverage time and talent for impact. You understand the importance of effective delegation and empower others by assigning responsibilities that align with their strengths to maximize efficiency and results.
• Commitment to equity and social justice: You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in addressing barriers. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about difference to overcome barriers. You recognize that investment in communities, people, and entrepreneurship are pathways to better outcomes. You’re a leader (or willing to become a leader) in incorporating the Center's Core Values effectively into internal processes, external programming and communications, and work relationships, as well as identifying opportunities to build capacity in centering equity into your work.

If you were here right now, you would be:

• Shaping a bold communications strategy that puts rural communities at the center of national conversations.
• Collaborating with passionate leaders and program staff to spotlight work in housing, solar energy, food systems, and economic justice.
• Leading a talented team of communicators and creatives, driving campaigns that inform, inspire, and mobilize.
• Meeting with media outlets and strategic partners to amplify advocacy and elevate the Center’s thought leadership.
• Writing messaging that moves people—from grassroots supporters to policymakers—to action.
• Driving digital growth across platforms, expanding our reach, and ensuring rural voices are heard, valued, and supported.

You have experience with the following:

• Developing and executing strategic communications plans that elevate mission-driven work.
• Managing and mentoring high-performing teams in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.
• Crafting compelling content for diverse audiences, including donors, media, rural communities, and policymakers.
• Leading media relations efforts—building press relationships, pitching stories, and securing coverage.
• Overseeing digital marketing efforts across websites, social media, and email platforms.
• Collaborating across departments to align messaging, support program goals, and enhance organizational visibility.
• Using data and analytics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and continuously improve outreach strategies.

What Else You Should Know

This is a full-time exempt position based in Lyons, Nebraska with a flexible work location. This position will require occasional travel by car to meet with community partners and individuals and include both overnight and out-of-state travel on occasion.

Compensation and benefits:

This position has a salary range of $75,000 - $100,000 with top-notch benefits that have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500, depending on family status and tenure with the Center. Benefits include a 97% employer-paid family health insurance that includes a contribution to a Health Savings Account, retirement options, a fantastic Employee Assistance Program, 12 paid holidays plus paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, Friday Summer Hours, and vacation and sick pay.

The Center for Rural Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify, is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals, and takes steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

How to Apply

If you would like to work for an organization that has a national reputation as one of the top organizations in the country working to make rural communities more vibrant, apply by sending your resume, cover letter, and three professional references by clicking here . In the cover letter, please include how your personal and/or professional experiences have positioned you for success in this role and any Equity-related work, skills, or expertise you want us to know about. Let us know how you heard about this position and why you want to work for the Center.

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