Director of Communications

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. NCAT is a national, private non-profit organization providing trusted, individualized technical assistance, hands-on training opportunities, practical educational resources, and peer-to-peer learning networks on nationally acclaimed projects in food, agriculture, energy, and climate resilience. Headquartered in Butte, Montana, NCAT has offices in 13 states. NCAT is committed to advancing racial equity and inclusion in its work and organization.

NCAT’s Director of Communications will be responsible for setting NCAT’s communications and content strategy, including oversight and execution of earned media and PR strategies, storytelling and creative content development, social media, and delivery. The Director of Communications will build and sustain NCAT’s reputation and drive conversation about our work in the media, online, and among NCAT target audiences.

The Director of Communications will develop an editorial and creative vision for NCAT, and partner closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to think big about how NCAT tells its story. We seek someone who is driven to make regenerative agriculture, food systems transformation and climate solutions actionable to all audiences, and who is ready to use creativity across a variety of channels to help spark this message.

QUALIFICATIONS:
We’re seeking someone with 6-10 years of demonstrated experience developing and executing successful communications strategies. We’re looking for someone who not only has amazing creative skills, but who can effectively manage a team and demonstrate impactful, compassionate leadership. You are a storyteller with top-shelf writing skills who also brings an entrepreneurial drive for excellence, and who can balance immersive, creative work with the daily demands of managing a team responsible for multiple deliverables.

LOCATION:
NCAT’s main office is in Butte, Montana with satellite offices over a dozen states. While this position can be fully remote, this person will be expected to travel occasionally to report on NCAT’s fieldwork—a Soil for Water workshop, for example, or an AgriSolar field day—as well as travel periodically to meet with NCAT staff at our regional offices. The successful applicant must reside in the continental United States. This position provides an outstanding opportunity to work with a dedicated and professional staff on a national level and to advance understanding of regenerative agriculture, climate solutions, and community resilience.

THE ROLE:
As a senior leader at NCAT, the Director of Communications will:

• Promote and support NCAT’s mission;
• Manage NCAT’s brand, reputation, and public image, including potentially reshaping the organization’s brand in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board;
• Expand and grow our storytelling to showcase the full diversity of partners we serve. Leading the Communications team who employs a variety of channels—print, documentary film, podcasts, multimedia—you will help bring our mission to life for a wide audience including a growing, mainstream public audience interested sustainability, climate solutions and regenerative agriculture;
• Develop and implement a strategic communications and marketing plan as called for in the NCAT 2020-2025 Strategic Plan;
• Review recent communications audit and utilize the information in development of communication strategies, and use that to plan, supervise, and evaluate outreach efforts;
• Serve as a member of the NCAT Leadership Team, joining with executives and program directors to coordinate and implement communication and organizational strategies using a DEI lens;
• Manage a talented Comms team of 5-6 staff. Set strategic direction for the Comms team and coordinate with field staff to develop excellent content and design for NCAT websites, social media, podcasts, video, annual reports, and other content delivery. Guide program use of media platforms to share compelling stories about staff, partners and constituents involved in sustainable agriculture, clean energy solutions, and community resilience;
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists and external media, and ensure regular national, trade and local coverage of NCAT;
• Increase awareness of NCAT activities, role and mission with constituents, partners, policy makers, funders and other stakeholders;
• Engage internal and external constituents in periodic review and improvement of NCAT media content and delivery;
• Support the Development Director in reviewing and advising on grants, bringing a creative lens to fundraising materials and strategy;
• Work with other staff on outreach to promote workshops and events organized by NCAT and its partners supporting and platforming diverse voices;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Commitment and passion for the NCAT mission;
• Strong interest and knowledge of mission driven or non-profit organizations;
• Proven experience securing media coverage for causes or organizations;
• Excellent storytelling skills. You are a top-shelf writer and editor with an eye for delving into the worlds of regenerative agriculture and renewable energy and bringing out the human story;
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, desktop publishing software, content management systems, and social media platforms;
• Strong organizational and planning skills with attention to detail;
• Self-motivated, with an ability to work independently while also managing a remote team;
• High level of emotional intelligence and diplomatic skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across NCAT’s multiple geographies and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and to complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Ability to manage, coordinate and delegate tasks to the Comms team;
• The ability to build relationships and collaborate with community organizations, government agencies, non-profit organizations and other partners;
• Ability to travel (estimated 10-15% of your time).

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (nice to haves):

• While not required, some familiarity with sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and science-based technological solutions to climate change would be helpful;
• Experience in public speaking, with the potential to represent NCAT at conferences;
• Experience either creating, or working with other creators, in documentary film, podcast delivery, and/or visual storytelling;
• Spanish language proficiency, or familiarity working with translators.

PORTFOLIO:
In addition to your cover letter and resumé, please email us a portfolio (PDF doc or similar) with 3-5 examples of your communications or creative work. This could be a blend of writing samples, videos created or produced, podcasts produced or edited, content you created for a website, stories and media you’ve earned, an OpEd you wrote, or more. Whatever you feel is representative of your best creative work. Email your portfolio as a PDF document to jobs@ncat.org

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
$90,000-110,000 (negotiable) annually depending on qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits include a flexible schedule, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, and a cafeteria and 401(k) plan. NCAT is also known for its friendly work environment and commitment to supporting employees in managing a healthy work-life balance.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate can be identified. Early applications are encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to visit www.ncat.org and attra.ncat.org to learn more about NCAT. NCAT employees interested in the position should email Human Resources a letter of interest as soon as possible. All persons interested in being considered for the position should upload a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. Please submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications. Resume and cover letters can be uploaded at  https://ncat.bamboohr.com/careers. Simply choose the position you are applying for and then click “apply for this job” to upload the required resume and cover letter. Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Kriss Sullivan, Director of Human Resources
e-mail: jobs@ncat.org

NCAT’s mission is to help people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources. We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status. Diversity creates healthy communities. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve. NCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information about NCAT please visit our homepage.