Public Relations and Development Director - Riverhead, NY

The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the public awareness, media, and governmental relations for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County. The primary responsibility is to ensure that all program areas of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and their subject matter, program impacts and human-interest stories are kept before the public, press, elected officials, and decision-makers in Suffolk County. This position requires cultivating and sustaining active professional networks with local and regional media outlets, reporters, editors, producers, and public information officers to ensure CCE Suffolk’s work is consistently represented accurately, timely, and favorably across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. The Public Relations and Development Director must demonstrate the ability to translate highly technical, scientific, and policy-oriented expertise into clear, engaging messaging that resonates with mainstream and diverse audiences, while preserving accuracy and integrity of the underlying science.

The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for creating marketing goals for the Association and implementing them in a timely manner through mass media, e-newsletters, Association websites and social media outlets. Supervising the Marketing Specialist and volunteers. Provide liaison between print and electronic media for CCE Educators and serving as marketing and communications consultant to staff.

The Public Relations and Development Director is responsible for specific fundraising development activities as pertains to the entire Association. The role includes leading or coordinating fundraising for private donations, requiring familiarity with modern fundraising strategies such as donor cultivation, sponsorship development, special events, annual campaigns, targeted solicitations, and digital giving—along with evolving practices for measuring fundraising effectiveness, donor retention, and engagement.

The Public Relations and Development Director is also expected to support or co-lead grant development efforts, including identifying external funding opportunities and contributing to proposal narratives, impact statements, communications plans, stakeholder and partner engagement methods, and dissemination strategies across multiple CCE divisions.

    

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Management, Journalism or related field. An associate degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field, plus two years transferable program/functional experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing media relations, including established relationships with local press, producers, and reporters
• Ability to meet regular travel requirements associated with this position. A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for agency insurance coverage are required.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Ability to effectively direct, manage and coordinate the Association public affairs direction and efforts.
• Ability to effectively direct, manage and coordinate the Association financials including but not limited to fundraising and successful grant research, writing and management.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Constant Contact, Canva, client relations management database, internet software and social media platforms.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
• Ability to effectively market the Association and regional events including through the use of social media.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience communicating scientific or technical subject matter to public audiences (e.g., agriculture, marine science, nutrition, environmental issues, energy, climate)
• Experience developing integrated communications campaigns that use both earned and paid media, digital content strategy, and measurable engagement outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute private fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation and stewardship, sponsorship acquisition, event-based fundraising, direct appeals, and digital fundraising campaigns; ability to evaluate fundraising effectiveness using modern performance measures (e.g., cost-per-dollar-raised, donor retention, conversion rates, engagement metrics).
• Strong writing portfolio including press releases, long-form storytelling, newsletters, donor communications,