Strategic Marketing Specialist

Position Summary
GrowNYC’s Farmer Assistance (GFA) is GrowNYC’s farmer technical assistance program, providing both aspiring and established Greenmarket farmers with business technical assistance and training designed to ensure the long-term viability of participating farms and farmland. Technical assistance is provided through both in-house services and the engagement of third party consultants. The Strategic Marketing Specialist is a part of the Farmer Assistance team and will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a suite of marketing technical assistance programming for Greenmarket farmers and graduates of our two 9 week beginning farmer business and financial training programs, Farm Beginnings (for English speakers) and La Nueva Siembra (for Spanish speakers). This work aims to support business viability for each farmer client by assessing their needs and implementing marketing strategies that align with their identity, interests, and farm business goals.
The ideal candidate for this position has demonstrated people and project management experience, strong interpersonal skills, a nuanced understanding of agricultural marketing and businesses in the Northeast, and experience working one-on-one with farmers and managing consultants such as graphic designers, website developers and business planners. Bilingual, Spanish-speaking candidates are highly sought.
Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):
Promotional, Marketing and Business Planning Support– 70%
- Support farmers in developing farm branding, logos, and marketing materials with graphic designers and outside vendors
- Work with farmers to optimize their farmer’s market displays to increase customer engagement
- Support farmers in identifying and developing new market channels and B2B partnerships
- Work with farmer to identify best product mix to maximize sales, including assisting with value-added product development
- Analyzing sales and customer behavior to design profitable marketing strategies
- Working with farmers to create enterprise budgets to assess pricing and product profitability
Training and Outreach – 15%
- Facilitate educational workshops for farmers on customer service, market display, and evaluation of sales data.
- Promote GFA services in newsletters, at conferences, and through individual outreach to farmers and regional agriculture partners
Grant Administration and Management – 15%
- Craft grant deliverables and outcomes to support GFA programming
- Create and implement outreach plan for GFA technical assistance and services.
- Work with Assistant Director of Regional Agriculture to select farmers to participate in grant opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience delivering marketing and/or business technical assistance programming to a wide range of farm types or experience marketing agricultural products in a direct-to-consumer outlet such as a farmers’ market, farmstand, or similar channel
- Experience working with or as part of commercial agricultural businesses
- Skilled at recruiting, training, and managing outside consultants providing technical assistance
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced team environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite
- Passion for supporting regional farmers and commitment to a racially and socially just food system
- A dedication to anti-racist work and experience building trust-based relationships with people holding diverse and historically marginalized identities
- Strong initiative and excellent time management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
- Flexibility and willingness to meet farmers’ emergent needs and to occupy a position that may change in scope in accordance with the needs of the program and organization
- Must reside within commuting distance to the GrowNYC office in lower Manhattan and plan to work from our office 2-3 days per week.
Ideal Qualifications
- Basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Website design platforms such as Wix and Squarespace
- Spanish language proficiency
- A valid driver’s license
Additional Eligibility Requirements
- Ability to travel to farmers markets, regional farms, and other locations (a shared company vehicle is available for regional travel).
Schedule
This is a full-time (35-40 hours/week) position and requires occasional flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Occasional weekend and travel to regional and national conferences required.
Compensation
The position is an exempt, full-time, salaried position. It pays $65,000-$70,000 per year and includes full benefits.