Vice President, Communications

The National Milk Producers Federation; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid position

2 remote days per week

Generous paid time off

Retirement benefits (11% max)

On-site gym

Free Parking or Metro Benefits

Job summary

The National Milk Producers Federation is seeking a Vice President for Communications to serve as a senior strategic advisor to the President & CEO. The role directs external and internal communications for NMPF, the National Dairy FARM Program, and related entities, shaping the organization’s narrative and brand strategy.

You will lead a team, partner with senior leadership on messaging, and drive a cohesive communications program across channels, including digital and media relations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications or related field.
• Experience operating at the executive level and advising senior leadership.
• Understanding of federal policy and the legislative landscape in Washington, DC.
• Experience in dairy or agriculture is a plus; Capitol Hill or trade association background is a plus.
• Experience in content development, writing, editing and proofreading.

Responsibilities

• Set and direct strategic communications direction across channels and stakeholders.
• Lead cross‑industry message alignment with dairy cooperatives and allied orgs.
• Set digital and social media strategy; oversee planning and production.
• Define metrics, oversee tools, and report results to CEO and leadership.
• Shape marketing and brand strategy to strengthen member value and policy messaging.
• Ensure a consistent brand across all entities and collaborations.
• Oversee publications; serve as a spokesperson and media contact.
• Lead crisis communications in partnership with dairy organizations.
• Advise the CEO on positioning, reputation, and public policy messaging.
• Direct staffing, workflow, and budget priorities for communications.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Media relations

Content development

Stakeholder engagement

Messaging & positioning

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or journalism

Master’s degree (plus)

Job description

The Vice President for Communications is a senior strategic advisor to the President & CEO and a key member of the leadership team, oversees the strategic direction for all external and internal communications for the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Dairy FARM Program and entities that NMPF manages. This includes shaping the organizational narrative and brand strategy, overseeing publications and informational materials, and partnering directly with the President & CEO on messaging, positioning, and communicating the organization's vision.

What you will do:

• Set NMPF's strategic communications direction, working with senior leadership to forge a coherent organizational message across multiple channels and stakeholders
• Lead and coordinate cross-industry message alignment with dairy cooperatives and allied organizations, building consensus on shared advocacy priorities
• Set NMPF's digital and social media strategy, directing the team's content planning and production to ensure it is timely, credible, and on-brand
• Define digital performance metrics, oversee tools, and report results to the President & CEO and senior leadership
• Set NMPF's marketing and brand strategy to strengthen member value, support recruitment and retention, and build awareness among policymakers, industry, and the public
• Ensure a consistent NMPF brand across all NMPF-affiliated entities and collaborations
• Oversee editing and production of all NMPF publications
• Serve as a spokesperson and media relations contact for NMPF, representing the organization in press inquiries, interviews, conferences, and public appearances
• Lead outreach to dairy stakeholders beyond NMPF membership
• Partner with NMPF's departments to identify and promote departmental wins and member success stories across NMPF's channels and to external audiences
• Lead crisis communications response in partnership with other dairy organizations
• Serve as communications counsel to the President & CEO on organizational positioning, reputation management, and public policy messaging
• Direct the Communications team's staffing, workflow, and budget priorities to ensure efficient, high-impact execution of NMPF's communications strategy
• Other duties as assigned by President & CEO

What you have done:

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications, journalism, or a related field
• Experience operating at the executive level, managing staff, advising senior leadership and contributing to organizational strategy
• Exceptional knowledge of federal policy and the legislative and regulatory landscape in Washington, DC
• Experience in dairy or agriculture a plus
• Experience on Capitol Hill or at a trade association a plus
• Experience in social media required
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Master’s degree a plus
• Experience in content development, writing, editing and proofreading.
• Experience in managing multiple priorities independently and in a team environment to achieve communications/marketing goals with varying deadlines and degrees of importance
• Ability to build strong relationships and work with internal staff, stakeholders, and contracted vendors
• Experience in collaborations with external industry stakeholders as primary organization representative

Skills for success:

• Ability to interact, engage confidently and communicate clearly and concisely with internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of agricultural policy and the specific key players within agriculture a plus
• Excellent organizational skills, interpersonal management skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with agriculture and/or the dairy industry and on-farm production strongly preferred
• Some travel for industry-related events required.

We regret it is not possible to communicate with candidates except those who most closely match our current business needs. Thank you.

The National Milk Producers Federation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, or any other characteristic protected by the law.

• Hybrid position, 2 remote days per week
• 7.5 hour work day
• Retirement benefits, 11% maximum contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Free Parking or Metro Benefits
• Exceptional health, vision and dental benefits
• Short-term, long-term, life and disability insurance
• On-site gym