Corporate Communications Specialist - GROWMARK, Inc. - Bloomington, IL

SALARY RANGE: $60,100.00 - $82,662.50

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

The Corporate Communications Specialist supports GROWMARK's internal and external communications efforts by providing photography, writing, event coordination, social media content, and administrative support across multiple communication functions to advance the company's mission and culture.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides basic corporate photography including employee headshots and event photos; manages photo library and ensures images are organized and accessible for department use.
• Writes and distributes various internal communications including announcements, newsletters, and other employee-facing content to keep staff informed and engaged.
• Provides administrative and logistical support for the Annual Meeting and the Cooperative Leadership Development Conference, including booking external speakers, securing materials, managing timelines, and coordinating with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Assists with developing and scheduling content for GROWMARK's social media channels; monitors engagement and contributes ideas for campaigns aligned with company messaging.
• Administers company all-employee meetings, including coordinating logistics, preparing run-of-show documents, managing technology, and supporting presenters.
• Assists with writing and editing articles for the company's quarterly SOURCE publication; conducts interviews and gathers information from subject matter experts across the organization.
• Provides administrative support for the GROWMARK Foundation, including correspondence, recordkeeping, and coordination of Foundation-related events and activities.
• Serves as department project manager, establishing and tracking project milestones, coordinating timelines across team members, and ensuring deliverables are met on schedule.
• Administers the Taste of the System employee program, including sourcing System-grown products, coordinating program logistics, and overseeing promotion and delivery of products to employees.
• Supports press release drafting and distribution, media monitoring, and maintenance of media contact lists as needed. Monitors industry news and online mentions of company and competitor activity.
• Assists in tracking communications metrics and preparing periodic reports on the reach and effectiveness of internal and external communications initiatives.
• Assists with video production coordination, including scheduling, logistics support, and basic editing tasks for internal communications content.
• Assists with the creation of presentations and visual materials for leadership and department use.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Represents the Corporate Communications department in cross-functional project teams and company workgroups as assigned.
• Follows GROWMARK's Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Normally requires a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or the equivalent thereof, and 1 to 3 years or more of related work experience to demonstrate knowledge of corporate communications, writing, and content development.
• Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and engaging content for varied audiences.
• Experience with or aptitude for photography, including basic composition, lighting, and photo editing software.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content scheduling tools.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with content management systems, email distribution platforms, and digital asset management tools preferred.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Prefer an understanding of GROWMARK's cooperative structure and agricultural business environment.
• Must be able to travel independently and overnight as required to support conferences, meetings, and other communications activities.
• Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK's policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.

At GROWMARK, we are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and parental leave, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.  In addition to base pay, certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, incentives, and commissions.