Senior Communications Leader, Strategic Communications

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly collaborative communications leader to guide the association’s communications function and serve as a key advisor to the President & CEO and senior leadership team.

The title of Senior Director or Vice President will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. Regardless of title, this position will have significant responsibility for shaping and executing ASTA’s strategic communications program and advancing the association’s advocacy priorities, reputation, member value, and public profile.

The position will serve as a principal communications advisor to the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team. The successful candidate will develop and execute communications strategies that position ASTA as a leading and credible voice for the U.S. seed industry.

This is a strategic leadership role requiring strong judgment, political and policy awareness, exceptional communications skills, and the ability to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities. The successful candidate will help shape ASTA’s organizational narrative, strengthen its public voice, and translate complex agricultural, policy, and industry issues into clear, compelling communications.

The position will also lead and further develop ASTA’s communications function, ensuring that communications strategies, priorities, and deliverables are coordinated across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead ASTA’s multi-year strategic communications strategy aligned with the association’s strategic plan and advocacy priorities.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the President & CEO, Board, and senior leadership team.
• Anticipate emerging issues, opportunities, and reputational risks and develop proactive strategies.
• Help shape ASTA’s organizational narrative, positioning, and public voice.

• Lead ASTA’s communications team and ensure alignment of communications strategies, workflows, and deliverables across the organization.

Media & Thought Leadership

• Lead a proactive national, agricultural, business, and policy media strategy.
• Build relationships with key reporters, editors, and media organizations.
• Position ASTA and its leadership as credible thought leaders on issues affecting agriculture and the seed industry.
• Oversee press releases, statements, opinion pieces, speeches, interviews, and other external communications.

Issues & Advocacy Communications

• Develop communications strategies supporting ASTA’s legislative, regulatory, trade, and public-policy priorities.
• Work closely with ASTA’s policy and government affairs leadership to integrate communications and advocacy strategies.
• Lead communications planning and response for significant emerging or high-profile issues.

Executive & Member Communications

• Prepare the President & CEO and senior leaders for media interviews, congressional and Administration engagements, speeches, testimony, and other public appearances.
• Develop communications that demonstrate ASTA’s value to members and elevate member voices and expertise.
• Lead ASTA’s Communications Committee and related meetings and summits.

Digital, Brand & Team Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for ASTA’s website, social media, newsletters, digital content, and brand.
• Lead, develop, and manage ASTA’s communications and marketing team.
• Manage communications resources and budget and determine the appropriate use of external agencies and consultants.
• 7 – 10+ years of demonstrated experience in membership, association management, business development, member engagement or a related field, with a track record of delivering measurable results
• Significant experience advising a CEO, president, elected official, senior executive, or comparable leader.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic, multi-year communications programs.
• Experience managing complex policy, political, reputational, or public issues.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience leading and developing professional teams.
• Strong understanding of the political and public-policy environment.
• Agriculture experience strongly preferred; knowledge of the seed industry is a significant plus.
• Experience with Congress, federal agencies, or national agricultural policy is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, public policy, agriculture, business, or related field.

The ideal candidate for this role will understand that communications is a strategic organizational function and a source of influence – not simply a service function.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to ASTA’s COO Ann Jorss.