Director, Health & Wellness Communications

Position Overview (office-based in Rosemont, IL with hybrid flexibility; relocation is not available for this position):

The Director of Health and Wellness Communications will lead meaningful work on behalf of America’s dairy farmers to communicate how dairy foods contribute to health and wellness during a time when good nutrition is at the center of conversations from food as medicine to sustainable food systems. This position will serve as a key team member collaborating with colleagues to bring forth the delicious and nutritious attributes of dairy foods, including culturally appropriate options, to illustrate the contributions they make to modern health & wellness and sustainable food systems to a thought leader audience. This role also has a lead responsibility engaging in collaborations with National Dairy Council’s (NDC) Ambassadors & Advisors, a dynamic group of credentialed third-party health and wellness experts. This position reports to the VP, Health and Wellness Communications.

 The dairy community has a broad vision to provide sustainably produced dairy foods that help meet people’s health and wellness needs today and in the future. Dairy Management Inc. is seeking an experienced communications professional with a foundational knowledge of nutrition, health and sustainable food systems and the ability to translate science and insights into relevant messages and compelling content. This role resides within the broader Marketing Communications and Affairs team and collaborates closely with nutrition and environmental researchers and subject matter experts to synthesize science and insights into relevant information that can be amplified to advance understanding, acknowledgment and practical application of dairy foods in healthy, sustainable food systems.

In this role, the candidate will represent the dairy community for Dairy Management Inc. and National Dairy Council, as appropriate.

Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by America’s nearly 26,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. DMI works with state and regional promotion organizations to implement these programs across the country. 

National Dairy Council® (NDC), the non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers and funded by the national dairy checkoff program, has been committed to research-based nutrition education and communications since its start in 1915. NDC is dedicated to bringing to life the dairy community’s shared vision of a healthy, happy, sustainable world – with science as its foundation. NDC’s staff of registered dietitians, researchers, and nutrition educators communicate about dairy’s contributions to health and sustainable food systems.

DMI and its related organizations cannot engage in policy or lobbying activities.

 Responsibilities

·         Take ownership of messaging and proof points addressing dairy’s contributions to nutrition, health, wellness and sustainable food systems (SFS).

o   Partner with and project manage the work of the Science to Storytelling team – a cross functional team that works to translate science into compelling, science-based proof points and messages.

o   Develop core and tiered messaging to support communication on U.S. dairy’s contributions to nutrition, health, wellness and sustainable food systems.

o   Identify and fill messaging gaps and ensure messaging evolves to align with current science, insights and the strategic plan.

o   Manage databank of nutrition, health, wellness and sustainable food systems-related topics, proof points, messages and terms on the intranet and provide counsel on their use.

·         Create and manage content and materials to support direct engagement and dialogue with external thought leader audiences and partners.

o   Develop communication briefs and plans with appropriate audience-specific narratives, messaging and supporting assets (e.g., fact sheets, topical briefs, audience bios, overview presentations, resources, social media copy, etc.).

o   Manage approved health, wellness and sustainable food systems assets on the intranet.

·         Support stakeholder engagement with external thought leaders and organizations.

o   Lead and/or provide counsel to support conversations and stakeholder engagement (e.g., NDC Ambassadors & Advisors, new partner meetings or briefings, roundtables, conferences, events, etc.)

o   Provide input on setting relationship goals, guiding productive dialogue and outcomes .

o   Represent U.S. dairy at conferences and events for NDC, DMI, etc. (requiring travel).

·         Collaborate and advise communication colleagues and subject matter experts (SMEs) on customization of health, wellness and sustainability messages and content for diverse audiences (internal and external).

o   Contribute content for newsletters, articles, social/digital posts, etc.

o   Partner with cross-functional teams to support SME spokespeople, including external partners and key stakeholders (e.g., media trainings, interview opportunities, keynotes, conference speaking engagements, etc.).

o   Support the MCA team on message and proof point needs for earned media opportunities or issues preparedness and responses in the nutrition, health, wellness and sustainable food systems space.

o   Coordinate joint communication with external partners on materials related to shared projects.

Requirements

SKILLS REQUIRED

·         Develop and execute strategic and tactical plans, including clear objectives and measurement.

·         Command of verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail and knowledge of evolving social, digital and technology landscape.

·         Comprehend and translate complex and technical issues into succinct, effective and compelling messaging and communications in support of strategic priorities.

·         Build trusted relationships through stakeholder engagement best practices.

·         Troubleshoot/problem solve for solutions and connect to bigger picture and future state, driving consistency and alignment.

·         Listen with an open and curious mind.

·         Provide constructive counsel, respectfully and with conviction, in the best interest of the dairy community.

·         Support leadership decisions and direction.

·         Take initiative and personal accountability to meet deadlines and deliverables.

·         Lead processes, operate independently as well as collaborate cross-functionally.

·         Manage multiple, simultaneous projects and shifting priorities.

·         Manage resources, including agency.

QUALIFICATIONS

·         Bachelor’s degree in communication or another related field such as nutrition or sustainable food systems.

·         At least seven years of experience working as a team in a fast-paced business, agency, healthcare or nonprofit environment.

·         Foundational knowledge in translating nutrition, health and sustainable food systems information into succinct, understandable messages and content.

·         Expertise in project management and stakeholder engagement preferred.

Successful candidates will have a passion for sharing accurate and compelling science-based, relatable messages and content and a command for making the complex simple through creative writing and engagement strategies.

Moderate travel required.

Benefits

We know that in order to meet our goal of growing dairy demand, we need the best people. Our culture is highly collaborative and we appreciate unique perspectives and diversity of style and thought. DMI's Rosemont office is conveniently located across from O’Hare Airport and is accessible to the CTA Blue Line and Metra transit. We offer free regular and chocolate milk on tap.

Our comprehensive health and welfare plans offer medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability and flexible spending accounts (health care, dependent care, transit and parking). We also offer generous maternity and paid paternal leave plans. Our 401k provides up to a 10% match and includes a Roth account. DMI reserves the right to change or end its benefits plans or programs at any time.

ABOUT DMI

Dairy Management Inc.™ is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to the principles of diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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