Communications Specialist

Position Summary: 

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is the voice of the U.S. animal food industry, influencing policy and connecting people. Together, its communications and policy departments work closely to communicate members’ legislative, regulatory and trade policy positions to members of Congress, regulatory bodies, White House officials, international delegations and media. This position will play a pivotal role in bringing AFIA members’ stories to life in public and member communications through various channels. The ideal candidate will have a background in conducting communications campaigns in a government affairs capacity (e.g., Capitol Hill or campaign experience, public affairs office, grassroots advocacy). 

Position Responsibilities:

•       Serve as a back-up to the Director of Communications for AFIA media requests on policy issues or crisis topics. This includes being able to work with issue managers to foster an in-depth understanding of AFIA’s policy issues, legislative priorities and crisis topics and supporting staff spokespeople with interview prep and message delivery. It also includes editing and/or preparing news releases, talking points, official letters, op-eds, articles, rapid responses or other materials for release to news media, monitoring news clips and cultivating relationships with trade media. 

•       Write and edit policy content for AFIA’s various communications channels, including the weekly member e-newsletter FeedGram, AFIA Feed Bites blog, printed state of the industry report, quarterly Manager’s Minute and CEO e-newsletters, action and issue advisories, email blasts, issue papers and websites (afia.org and safefeedsafefood.org). Keep abreast of newsletter best practices and trends and track and report success of campaigns (i.e., analytics) to staff and AFIA leadership on a regular basis. Supports the Director of Communications in managing the AFIA Style Guide. 

•       Prepare grassroots advocacy and other social media campaigns on domestic and international policy issues. This includes developing multimedia content (e.g., social media graphics/videos) in coordination with the policy or trade staff and/or industry coalitions, maximizing exposure by using social media best practices and trends, and tracking and reporting success of campaigns (i.e., analytics) to staff and AFIA leadership on a regular basis. 

•       Manage AFIA’s media relations monitoring tool, Meltwater to ensure AFIA is fully capturing relevant news clips and social media conversations relevant to the animal feed and pet food industries. Alerting staff daily to any important news or social media posts warranting response from AFIA or its members. 

•       Develop videos on AFIA’s policy priorities and grassroots advocacy programs to bring more awareness to challenges facing the animal food industry and ways members or stakeholders can get involved to make a difference. This includes working with issue managers to develop goals/key messages, setting up and breaking down studio equipment, prepping and interviewing staff/members, shooting and editing, and final delivery and marketing of the videos. 

•       Support the membership team by developing and implementing communications strategies that drive member recruitment and retention. Create compelling messaging, campaigns and materials that promote the value and benefits of membership to prospective audiences. 

•       Strengthen relationships with current members through consistent, engaging communications such as newsletters, updates and member stories.

•       Manage AFIA’s social media channels in cooperation with other members of the            communications team. 

•       Assist the AFIA communications team with other activities as needed, including          event marketing, graphics development, PowerPoint support, video production,                      photography, content writing for the Institute for Feed Education and Research (AFIA’s           public charity), B-roll inventory, etc. 

•       Support the AFIA Marketing and Communications Committee, member interest group and other member stewardship efforts.

Tools Utilized: 

The successful candidate will have experience with some or all of the following: 

•       Microsoft 365 programs, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams. 

•       Email marketing systems (e.g., Higher Logic’s Informz). 

•       Content management systems for uploading content to websites (e.g., Mura CMS) and audio readers (e.g., Trinity Audio). 

•       Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram) and other online tools (e.g., Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo), including posting software (e.g., Hootsuite) and tracking analytics (e.g., Google Analytics). 

•       Media monitoring tools (e.g., Meltwater). 

•       Graphics and video creation software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Photoshop). 

•       Professional video equipment (e.g., Cannon camera, backdrop, lighting) and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Otter.ai for transcription). 

•       Association management software (e.g., Association Anywhere).   

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will display exemplary soft skills in: 

•       Staying organized and managing cross-departmental projects with limited guidance, producing quality work with fast, and often competing, deadlines. 

•       Bringing creative ideas to the AFIA Director of Communications to improve communications, social media and grassroots advocacy strategies. 

•       Embracing new technology and platforms, including learning new tools and explaining utility to staff and members, as appropriate.

•       Being a team player across departments and providing excellent customer service to AFIA members.

Knowledge and Experience: 

•       Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science or related field. Two to three years of professional experience working in a fast-paced public affairs, communications or press office conducting advocacy or communications campaigns to achieve political outcomes. Internships accepted. 

•       Proven written, verbal and visual (e.g., multimedia) communications skills. Proficient in writing and editing using journalistic style (i.e., AP Stylebook). 

•       Ability to travel if needed (5-10% of the time).  

Support Resources Available: 

•       AFIA graphic and web design manager.  

•       AFIA staff and membership. 

•       Allied associations and related resource groups.

To Apply: 

Interested applicants should email careers@afia.org with a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and 2-3 relevant work samples that demonstrate writing and social media capabilities. Applications will be accepted through November 7, 2025.