"CAFES Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications"

South Dakota State University’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is seeking an innovative and collaborative Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications. This position supports the development and implementation of the college’s marketing and communications strategy, with a strong focus on creating and managing visual media. The Assistant Director will play a key role in telling the college’s story, advancing its land-grant mission and ensuring brand consistency across digital and print platforms. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota and is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is one of the eight colleges that make up South Dakota State University. Like the university, the college has a three-fold mission to teach, conduct research and use extension programs to serve people in South Dakota, the nation and the world. This position would contribute to supporting the college’s research and teaching efforts. In addition to the main campus in Brookings, the SDSU West River Research and Extension in Rapid City is an outreach facility of the college that supports teaching, research and extension in the western part of the state. Other locations throughout the state include eight regional extension centers, three Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program offices and eight research field stations. The college is made up of six academic departments. Research and extension staff are distributed among the academic departments. Nearly all faculty have an appointment that is a combination of two or three of the mission areas.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collect, develop and manage visual media, including photography, video, graphics and branded templates, ensuring alignment with SDSU brand standards.
• Oversee the college’s visual content library and maintain digital assets for accessibility and consistency.
• Supervise student employees and interns, including hiring, training, assigning projects and reviewing work.
• Support the college’s overall communications strategy by planning projects, analyzing performance metrics and monitoring marketing trends.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the college and university, represent the communications team on committees and events, and step in for the Director as needed.

BENEFITS: SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of professional experience in videography, photography or graphic design. Experience in multiple areas is a plus; Willingness to learn and improve skills in areas with less experience;
• Proven proficiency in using design/editing software above and beyond drag and drop platforms;
• Proven experience with creating visual media for multiple platforms while maintaining brand identity;
• Proven experience contributing to a social media strategy involving multiple platforms;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a collaborative environment;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in graphic design, visual media, communications, agricultural communications or other relevant discipline;
• Experience managing social media strategy and accounts;
• Higher education experience; and
• Experience supervising or mentoring student employees.

APPLICATION PROCESS: SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. Please submit with your application materials a work sample that shows your skills in photography, videography and/or graphic design. Included in your submission should be an explanation of the role you played in the development of the sample. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date: 09/25/2025

Closing Date: 10/16/2025

Open Until Filled: No

Advertised Salary: The salary range for this position is $55,339-$66,407.

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Work Hours: The normal schedule is Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. This position includes irregular night and occasional weekend expectations, in which cases the normal work week may be adjusted as approved by the supervisor and in accordance with university policies.

Appointment Type: Regular

Faculty Status: No

Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

This position requires: Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License