Community Relations Program Manager

Lead the implementation of community relations and engagement activities and programs in partnership with human resources, communications, and leaders across the organization. Drive community engagement goal attainment through effective program management and project management, well designed and documented programs, clear communications, and relationships with internal and external partners. Act as a community engagement and relations subject matter expert by contributing perspective, insights, and knowledge to enable the organization to achieve measurable results.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Partnership Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including non-profits, educational institutions, and community organizations such as Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), FFA, American Red Cross, Society of Women Engineers, and others, that align with the Cooperative's community relations, engagement and giving objectives
• Oversee community engagement and relations events/activations by helping to plan and coordinate participation in relevant national and regional conferences, events, or activations that build the Cooperative's brand, strengthen DFA's reputation in communities, and/or contribute to the organization's giving focus
• Coordinate scholarship giving in collaboration with diverse external organizations and oversee candidate selection, communication, and award distribution
• Help identify and initiate collaboration with external partners to supply development resources for Employee Resource Groups

DFA Cares Program Management

• Manage DFA Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by a farmer-led board of directors, and its programs
• Collaborate closely with Communications, Marketing, and Events teams to promote DFA Cares to our customers and vendors and manage DFA Cares online tool across all audiences
• Analyze metrics and prepare reports
• Identify volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Track monetary donations in an organized fashion to easily promote DFA's giving goals
• Track product donations in an organized fashion to easily promote how DFA is giving back
• Track community engagement events in an organized fashion to easily promote our reach
• Manage DFA Cares scholarship program, which includes applications campaign, tracking, and communication
• Manage DFA Cares disaster assistance program, which includes reviewing applications and administering financial assistance in partnership with DFA's finance team
• Develop fundraising strategy and lead fundraising efforts for DFA Cares Foundation
• Help organize and partner on volunteer and community engagement opportunities as requested by farmer-owners and DFA locations
• Collaborate with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on community engagement efforts
• Manage DFA's headquarters-based community engagement program by organizing events and volunteer opportunities, partnering with key internal and external stakeholders to promote DFA Cares, and leading major initiatives across community outreach

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following (or closely related fields):
  
  
  
  • Communications, Public Relations, Marketing
  • Nonprofit Management/Public Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Public Policy)
  
  
  
  
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in community relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), nonprofit program management, or public affairs
• Demonstrated experience managing external partnerships with nonprofits, educational institutions, and community organizations, including joint initiatives and multi-stakeholder coordination
• Experience working in large, matrixed organizations
• Fundraising exposure, such as annual campaigns, giving days, sponsorships, donor relations, or grants (even if not primary role)
• Track record of cross-functional collaboration (e.g., with leadership, sales, HR/DEI, procurement, and field locations)
  

• Preferred:
  
  
  
  • Program management for a nonprofit or foundation (ideally 501(c)(3)), including planning, execution, measurement, and reporting
  • Event/activation planning for community engagement (regional and/or national), including logistics, vendor/venue management, staffing, budgets, and post-event metrics
  • Hands-on experience with scholarship program administration (application cycles, eligibility and selection processes, communications, award tracking, and compliance)
  • Experience in cause marketing or integrated campaigns with Communications/Marketing/Events teams
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, multiple requests, and competing priorities; able to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines; able to prioritize work
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to problem solve and work creatively in ambiguous, time-sensitive environments
• Comfortable working with large groups, facilitating and leading presentations and sessions
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships and networks with partners of all functions
• Abilityto influence multiple stakeholders acrosstheorganization
• Ability to work in large, matrixed organizations
• Passion for fostering an inclusive workplace culture
• Solutions orientation and mindset
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Proficiency with CRM or donor management system such as Benevity, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, etc.
• Experience with project management tools or platforms such as Asana
• Ability to build dashboards, track KPIs and prepare impact reports
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans