Marketing Communications and Community Engagement Specialist

Description

Primary Objectives of the Position:

This role supports Central United Cooperative’s marketing and communications. You’ll work closely with our external marketing partner—which leads brand strategy, creative development, and campaign planning—to coordinate, publish, and track day-to-day communications. You’ll also coordinate community engagement efforts and administer the community giving program. Ideal for a collaborative communicator who’s organized, detail-minded, and comfortable working across departments. Role could be based out of Winthrop, Buffalo Lake, or Sleepy Eye Minnesota.

Major Areas of Accountability

• Agency & Department Coordination--Serve as the day-to-day liaison with the marketing agency (briefs, timelines, asset routing, reviews, approvals). Gather inputs from operating departments; traffic copy, photos, product details to the agency. Maintain the marketing/editorial calendar and keep deliverables on schedule.

• Community Engagement Coordination--Administer the community giving program per established guidelines (request intake, tracking, responses, follow-up). Coordinate sponsorships and donation requests with local partners (schools, FFA/4-H, county fairs, civic groups, first responders, chambers).

Plan and staff community events and appearances (customer appreciation, safety days, parades/booths, local meetings).

Organize employee volunteer opportunities and record participation hours.

Track community budget and document impact metrics (attendance, reach, photos, testimonials) for internal reporting.

Capture and route event photos/stories to the agency for recap posts.

• Campaign & Asset Management--Assist with campaign launches (lists, landing-page checks, UTM links, QA). Manage brand assets (logos, photos, templates) and ensure consistent use of the Central United Cooperative name and logo across print/digital/signage.

Coordinate print orders, promo items, and vendor quotes (printers, promo, mail/fulfillment).

• Meetings & Events Support--Help plan and execute meetings and events (annual meeting, appreciation events, trade shows): invites, materials, check-in lists, basic A/V coordination. Track project status and light budgets; flag risks and bottlenecks early.

• Other Duties as Assigned--Jump in where needed to keep communications timely, accurate, and on brand.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

· Strong interpersonal skills; able to work with employees, members, vendors, and an outside agency.

· Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills.

· Experience creating/publishing content for print, web, email, and social.

· Familiarity with website CMS updates and basic image/file handling.

· Organized project coordinator who can manage multiple deadlines.

· Working knowledge of standard tools (e.g., Microsoft 365/Google Workspace; social scheduling).

· Two- or four-year degree in communications, marketing, or business; equivalent experience considered. Experience may be substituted for post-secondary education.

Value-Added Qualifications:

· 2 years in a marketing/communications and/or community engagement role.

· Experience with Adobe Acrobat (and basic Photoshop/Illustrator or Canva for light edits) is a plus but not required.

· Cooperative experience and/or an agriculture background.

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000