Communications Manager

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) – the UK agri-supply industry’s trade association – is recruiting a Communications Manager to drive the trade association’s messaging to its member businesses, policymakers, and agri-food industry stakeholders.

This exciting and diverse role works closely with AIC’s busy team of policy leads and technical managers to create high quality, engaging content for print and digital channels, as well as managing press relations and supporting events including the AIC Dinner & Conference.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, this full-time role benefits from a £55,000 salary, flexible hybrid working, a generous pension scheme, and other industry leading employee benefits.

If you are an agri-food communications professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with a high level of autonomy, we want to hear from you.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to work as part of a dedicated team which influences agricultural, food, and environmental policymaking throughout the UK, ensuring that the agri-supply industry’s voice is heard and understood.

Working in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture, the Communication Manager will assist AIC’s policy team by communicating the value of lobbying efforts made on behalf of member businesses.

This involves creating, publishing, and promoting a mix of digital and print content which informs and engages members, wider industry stakeholders (including the National Farmers Union, UK Flour Millers, Food and Drink Federation, etc.), and policymakers (politicians, civil servants, Food Standards Agency, etc.).

Handling media enquiries from agri-food trade publications and national press, building relationships with journalists, and issuing proactive briefings and reactive lines is a pivotal function of this role.

The successful candidate will also support AIC’s team of knowledgeable technical managers with the communication of important updates and information relating to assurance schemes which underpin food and animal feed safety, fertiliser security, and industry standards.

The position plays a key role in the promotion of events, including the AIC Conference, parliamentary receptions, and sector meetings and dinners.

The Communications Manager will also work with AIC’s Technical Managers and Business Support Team to ensure communications are seamless and proactive.

Occasional travel to meetings and events throughout the UK can be expected.

Essential Skills

Applicants must have the ability to:

1. Write clear, accurate, and engaging copy at speed
2. Translate complex policy and technical detail into accessible information for a range of audiences
3. Edit and proofread copy, maintaining high-quality standards with consistent style and tone
4. Manage multiple topics and respond to changing communications priorities and deadlines
5. Create and distribute press releases which generate strong coverage in the agricultural and food industry press, as well as national media
6. Foster strong relationships with journalists covering UK agriculture, environment issues, politics, trade, and food production, including specialist and national media contacts
7. Proactively brief journalists on hot topics, field press enquiries, coordinate interviews with technical experts, and draft and issue reactive lines
8. Use CMS proficiently to create website resources (news, blogs, briefings, FAQs, case studies, reports, etc.), email campaigns, and update webpages, as well as generate reports and evaluate performance
9. Manage social media channels by posting regular content, drive engagement, and analyse trends
10. Bring ideas to solve problems and improve the impact of AIC’s communications
11. Work as a team member within AIC and meet the values of AIC

Desirable Skills

This role would favour an individual with:

1. A background in journalism, PR, or marketing
2. An interest and experience in the agriculture or food production industries
3. Knowledge of design and production of promotional material and print products (e.g., magazines, newsletters)
4. Image and video editing skills (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite)
5. Basic project management skills
6. Experience of events management
7. Knowledge of writing for SEO and website design
8. Experience managing agencies and budgets
9. Speechwriting and letter-writing experience
10. Crisis communications experience
11. Used to being part of a team and ensuring proactive communication

Benefits

1. Salary: £55,000 per annum
2. 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
3. Pension: 11% employer contribution, with a minimum 3% employee contribution
4. 1-2 days a week working from AIC’s modern office in Peterborough
5. Industry-leading employee benefits

How to apply

Send your CV, cover letter, and any work examples to Julia Corr (julia.corr@agindustries.org.uk) by 24 January 2025.

Please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation about this role. Visit our website to learn more about our trade association.

About AIC

As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.

Its member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice, and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.

Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion turnover at farmgate.

AIC works on behalf of its members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.

AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.

These schemes and professional registers include:

1. Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
2. Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
3. Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
4. European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
5. Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
6. Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
7. Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
8. Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
9. AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)

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