Director of Strategic Communications

Reports to: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-time salaried
Location: Brattleboro, VT – Onsite/Hybrid

Retreat Farm connects people to the land and each other. Free and open to the public 365 days a year, Retreat Farm serves as a vital public common and community resource. The Farm’s 500+ acres of forest and farmlands, 10+ miles of trails, and historic farmstead are home to a series of integrated programs and events that honor the land, connect visitors to Vermont’s rich agricultural history, and celebrate regional farmers, producers, and artisans.

A new position, the Director of Strategic Communications will work closely with the Executive Director and be instrumental in designing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and strategic communications plan. The primary goal of this position is to elevate the profile of Retreat Farm to engage a broad audience with diverse interests in the Farm’s programming and mission, including media, thought leaders, donors, and the general public. This is a unique opportunity to lead the creative direction and messaging of a mission-driven organization working to create a more just, healthy, and sustainable world.

Located in Vermont and on the borders of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Retreat Farm’s location annually attracts over 80,000 visitors from across New England. With the restoration of the historic North Barn into the region’s largest indoor event venue and the opening of a regional food center and 2,300 sqft interactive retail experience in 2024, this job is a unique opportunity to work with an energetic and passionate team in a multifaceted and growing organization.

What You Will Do

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive marketing, communications, and outreach plans (on-site signage, web, digital, print, social, public relations) with the objective of elevating Retreat Farm’s brand awareness, reputation, profile, and impact.
• Identify exciting and engaging ways to tell the story of Retreat Farm’s work to multiple audiences with diverse interests.
• Lead advertising and promotion efforts to ensure Retreat Farm’s programs and events are well attended.
• Manage creation and production of a wide range of print and digital communications, ensuring brand quality and consistency across all channels and program areas.
• Manage relationships with media outlets and partners, draft and coordinate press releases, and coordinate regular opportunities for earned media.
• Develop reporting tools and metrics to analyze the effectiveness of campaigns and inform future marketing investments.
• Work closely with the Executive Director on annual appeal and donor communications, identifying fundraising and donor engagement opportunities throughout the year.
• Works collaboratively with the Program Director to identify key engagement moments that enhance the visitor experience and reinforce Retreat Farm’s mission.
• Partners with Strategic Initiatives Advisor on development of annual strategic communication priorities, ensuring activities across programs advance strategic priorities and support revenue targets.
• Proofread all Retreat Farm communications for external audiences.
• Supervise Marketing Intern, who focuses on event communication.
  

What You Will Bring to Retreat Farm

• A passion for storytelling.
• At least seven years of communications, marketing, and/or strategic planning experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to community building and conservation.
• Extensive experience managing communications programs or thought leadership campaigns.
• Ability to deliver clear and concise strategic communications that spur action and demonstrate value to multiple audiences.
• Self-starter with exceptional organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and manage multiple long-term and short-term tasks simultaneously.
• Exceptional writing skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Eye for graphic design and page layout.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven, and team-oriented work environment.

Benefits

Salary range is $60,000 to $75,000. Retreat Farm offers a range of benefits, including generous paid time off, a one-week company shutdown, flexible scheduling, and retirement savings with a 3% employer match.

Retreat Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe diverse teams make the strongest teams and encourage qualified people of all backgrounds, identities, ages, and abilities to apply.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a writing sample, cover letter, and resume as a single combined PDF to jobs@retreatfarm.org with the subject “Director of Strategic Communications.” Application review and interviews will take place on a rolling basis.