📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, FAPC Communications & Media
🔹 Company: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater (OSU)
🔹 Location: Stillwater, OK
🔹 Job Type: Staff Full-Time
🔹 Category: Food & Ag Prod Res & Tech Center
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-15
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and managing communications and media programs for food industry clients.
- Collaborating with industry personnel, regulatory agencies, and trade associations.
- Mentoring and training plant leadership on food safety, quality, compliance, and marketing issues.
- Managing and leading internal and external media and communications workshops and training sessions.
- Creating and implementing social media content and strategies.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of communication, leadership, and organizational skills. It involves working closely with various stakeholders and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in all FAPC activities.
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in all food industry client communications and media programs.
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in internal and external media and communications workshops and training sessions.
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in all client, Oklahoma regulatory agencies, food industry Trade Associations and private sector agricultural agencies.
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in all food industry client media and communications activities associated with food safety, safety compliance, food product labeling, product recalls, and other food safety and food quality-related consumer/client needs.
✅ Manage, lead, and/or participate in communications and media training, instruction, and mentoring of plant leadership on food safety and quality, technical, compliance and marketing issues.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, requiring strong adaptability and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's in Journalism, Ag Journalism, Ag Ed Comm and Leadership, Ag Marketing, or related field.
Experience: 5 years’ experience in Marketing and Public Relations
Required Skills:
- Engage in communications with industry personnel and management
- Understand how to communicate issues in the agricultural and food industries
- Strong computer and word processing skills
- Strong competency in writing reports and the content for multiple mediums such as email, print, social media and web and communicate the content of information to a broad spectrum of industry personnel and consumers.
- Strong ability for oral expression, verbal defense of findings, and defense of actions
- Experience in using Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
- Edit, publish and create social media content, publish and implement a social media calendar and brand strategy
- Self-driven, organized, and attentive to detail
- Manage and serve as a supervisor and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students that assist with communications tasks
Preferred Skills:
- Master's in Journalism, Ag Journalism, Ag Ed, Comm and Leadership, Ag Marketing, or related field. MBA
- Certified Communications Manager
- Accredited in Public Relations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong educational background in a relevant field and significant experience in marketing and public relations. Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees and professional certifications.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 (Based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plans (401k and pension)
- Tuition waiver for employees and dependents
- Generous vacation and sick leave policies
- Employee assistance program
- Discounts on various services and products
Working Hours: 8:00 to 5:00 Monday - Friday with 1 hour for lunch
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles, experience levels, and locations. Benefits are typical for a university setting and may vary based on the employee's specific situation.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: The role is within the Food & Ag Prod Res & Tech Center at Oklahoma State University, focusing on the food and agricultural industries.
Company Size: Oklahoma State University is a large public research university with over 36,000 students and more than 4,000 faculty and staff members.
Founded: Oklahoma State University was founded in 1890 and is one of the largest and most comprehensive universities in the state.
Company Description:
- Oklahoma State University is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution that offers a comprehensive range of academic programs and research opportunities.
- The university is committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student body and conducting cutting-edge research in various fields.
- OSU is also dedicated to serving the people of Oklahoma through its outreach and extension programs.
Company Specialties:
- Agriculture and natural resources
- Engineering and technology
- Health sciences
- Education and human sciences
- Business and industry
Company Website: https://okstate.edu/
ASSUMPTION: Oklahoma State University offers a comprehensive range of academic programs and research opportunities, with a strong focus on agriculture, engineering, and health sciences. The university is committed to providing a high-quality education and conducting cutting-edge research in various fields.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the management level, requiring significant experience and leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The Manager, FAPC Communications & Media reports directly to the Director of the Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC).
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position with standard university working hours.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement within the Food and Agricultural Products Center or related departments.
- Opportunities to expand skills and knowledge through professional development and training programs offered by the university.
- Possibility to take on additional responsibilities or lead special projects as the department grows and evolves.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the university system. The specific growth opportunities may vary depending on the department's needs and the individual's performance.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The office is located on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Office Location(s): 148 FAPC, Stillwater, OK 74078
Geographic Context:
- Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma with a population of approximately 46,000 people.
- The city is known for its agricultural industry and is home to several food processing and manufacturing facilities.
- Stillwater is also the location of Oklahoma State University, which is a significant employer in the area.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 to 5:00, with a one-hour lunch break.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is on a university campus, offering a diverse and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. The geographic context is a mid-sized city with a strong agricultural industry, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration within the field.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Applicants will be screened based on their resume and cover letter.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an initial phone or video screening.
- Candidates who advance will be invited for an on-campus interview, which may include a presentation or writing exercise.
- Finalists may be required to provide references and participate in a background check.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Leadership and management abilities
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Knowledge of the agricultural and food industries
- Technical proficiency with relevant software tools
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the required and preferred skills listed in the job description.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the agricultural and food industries and your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
- Showcase your leadership and management skills through examples of your past experiences.
- Prepare for interview questions that assess your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Leadership, Management, Agricultural Industry, Food Industry, Stakeholder Relations, Media Relations, Social Media, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and applicants should tailor their materials to highlight their relevant skills and experiences. The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, as well as their knowledge of the agricultural and food industries.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram)
- Content management systems (CMS) and website platforms (WordPress, Drupal)
- Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard in the marketing and public relations fields. Proficiency in these tools is essential for managing communications and media programs effectively.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching, research, and service
- Integrity and honesty in all actions
- Respect for the diversity of people and ideas
- Accountability and stewardship in the use of resources
- Collaboration and teamwork
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
- Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Supportive of a healthy work-life balance
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the company's core values?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you approach mentoring and supporting the professional development of others?
ASSUMPTION: Oklahoma State University values a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with the company's core values and work style during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working with tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Candidates may need to travel occasionally to attend industry events, conferences, or client meetings.
- The role may involve working with stakeholders who have varying levels of communication and collaboration skills.
- The agricultural and food industries can be subject to rapid changes and unexpected challenges, requiring adaptability and quick decision-making.
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to time management, communication, and adaptability. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their strategies for overcoming these challenges in the interview process.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on the agricultural and food industries and the specific requirements for managing communications and media programs within a university setting.
- Compared to similar roles in private industry, this position may offer more opportunities for research and academic collaboration.
- However, the role may also have more stringent reporting requirements and less flexibility in decision-making due to the university's governance structure.
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications and media management positions, its focus on the agricultural and food industries and its university setting make it unique. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the specific aspects of this role that appeal to them and how their background and skills make them a strong fit for the position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy for a food industry client, including content creation, scheduling, and analytics.
- Managing a media relations campaign for a food safety recall, ensuring accurate and timely communication with stakeholders and the public.
- Collaborating with industry personnel and regulatory agencies to create and distribute educational materials on food safety and quality topics.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and the need for strong communication, leadership, and adaptability skills in this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experiences and how they have successfully managed similar projects in the past.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and reporting lines for this role?
- How does this position fit into the overall communications and marketing strategy for the Food and Agricultural Products Center?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the agricultural and food industries currently, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does the university support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the department, and the university's goals and expectations. They also provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the industry and their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Prepare a one - two page cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Create a resume that emphasizes your qualifications for this position, including your education, experience, and relevant skills.
- Provide contact information for three professional references.
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Roy Escoubas, one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
