Description
The National Pork Board (NPB) is seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to serve as our Assistant Vice President (AVP), Communications. In this role, you'll lead integrated communications strategies that strengthen industry reputation, build stakeholder trust, and advance organizational priorities through impactful storytelling and engagement.
As a key member of the Communications leadership team, you'll oversee public relations, reputation management, strategic messaging, and omnichannel communications efforts while leading a high-performing team of communicators. You'll work closely with industry leaders, subject matter experts, state pork associations, and internal stakeholders to deliver communications that inform, influence, and inspire action.
What You'll Do
Lead Reputation and Public Relations Efforts

• Direct proactive and responsive public relations initiatives, including reputation, image, and issues management.
• Develop thought leadership strategies in partnership with industry experts and key opinion leaders.
• Collaborate with state pork association communicators and leaders on issues that impact industry reputation.
• Translate complex scientific, research, and agricultural topics into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on communications strategy and media engagement.
  

Drive Strategic Communications

• Partner with business leaders to develop and execute communications plans aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns across owned, earned, and paid channels.
• Establish messaging frameworks, editorial priorities, and content strategies that support NPB's strategic plan.
• Develop audience-focused communications that move stakeholders from awareness to understanding and action.
• Define and monitor success metrics, using insights and analytics to continuously improve performance.
  

Build and Lead High Performing Teams

• Lead and develop an integrated communications team responsible for public relations, content, social media, and stakeholder communications.
• Foster collaboration across Communications, Creative, Digital, and Operations teams.
• Establish priorities, workflows, and accountability measures that support organizational goals.
• Manage communications budgets and resources in partnership with leadership and finance teams.
• Oversee agency and vendor relationships to ensure strong performance and measurable results.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Agricultural Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic communications, corporate communications, public relations, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated success leading communications strategies for major food, agriculture, or consumer-facing brands.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing communications teams.
• Strong expertise in media relations, reputation management, crisis/issues communications, and thought leadership.
• Proven ability to simplify complex information and create compelling narratives across multiple channels and audiences.
• Experience developing integrated communications strategies across paid, owned, and earned media.
• Exceptional relationship-building and influence skills with executives, board members, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.
• Strong analytical mindset with experience using performance data and audience insights to optimize communications effectiveness.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with trade associations, membership organizations, or distributed stakeholder networks.
• Knowledge of agriculture, food systems, animal agriculture, or related industries.
• Experience leveraging audience insights and business intelligence to shape communications strategy.
  

At NPB, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of communications for one of America's most important agricultural sectors. You'll work alongside passionate professionals, industry leaders, and innovators committed to strengthening the pork industry's reputation and delivering value to producers across the country.
National Pork Board’s home office is in Clive, Iowa. Preference will be given to candidates that can work a hybrid schedule (at least 3 days per week) in the Clive office, however remote candidates may be considered. This role requires approximately 15–20% travel for industry meetings, stakeholder engagement, media opportunities, conferences, and events throughout the year. Valid driver’s license and/or passport required. Application deadline is 6/29, however, we may speak to qualified candidates prior to the close date.
Full-time starting salary range is $160-190K. Please note: This starting range is based on a general market pay assessment. However, individual salary decisions take into account a variety of factors including but not limited to: business and local market considerations, internal equity, and overall candidate skills, education and experience.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. Applicants should be able to able to support the mission of the organization with enthusiasm to serve U.S. pork producers.
The National Pork Board, an equal opportunity employer, offers an exceptional benefits package and work environment. Check us out at www.porkcheckoff.org