Communications and Marketing Project Manager

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a farmerowned cooperative dedicated to delivering quality dairy and value to our members and employees. The Corporate Communications and Marketing team leads projects and campaigns that support our mission and connect with diverse audiences across internal communications, marketing, social media, and public relations.

As a Communications and Marketing Project Manager, you will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage delivery across the full project lifecycle, and drive continuous improvement. Success in this role requires strong planning and communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The Communications and Marketing Project Manager is responsible for tactical execution across the project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, and closeout. The PM develops detailed plans and timelines, coordinates cross-functional teams, manages resources and budgets, assesses risk, and ensures high-quality outcomes on time and within scope. The PM partners with Project Leads (PLs), who set strategic direction, own stakeholder alignment and approvals, and make key scope and prioritization decisions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and success metrics in collaboration with PLs and stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, clarify roles, and establish effective communication and meeting cadence
• Assess risks, document dependencies, and support project approvals
• Oversee day-to-day project delivery, assign tasks, track progress, and adjust plans to meet deadlines and budgets
• Facilitate collaboration and approvals across teams and vendors, ensuring brand and quality standards
• Leverage project management platforms (e.g., Asana) and AI tools to optimize workflows and reporting
• Monitor project status, report key decisions, and escalate risks or scope changes as needed
• Lead project debriefs, document lessons learned, and ensure proper archiving and documentation
• Conduct annual process reviews, recommend improvements, and update resources and tools to support best practices
• Support department work streams by defining and measuring project success
• Assist in developing and implementing new or improved processes, tools, and standards
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the evolving needs of the Communications and Marketing department

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 2 to 5 years of project management experience in communications, marketing, or agency environments
• Proven success managing multiple projects and cross-functional teams; PMP desired

Core Competencies and Skills

• Strong planning, organization, and risk and issue management; able to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Advanced written and verbal communication; skilled in collaboration, influence, and stakeholder management
• Attention to detail and brand stewardship; continuous improvement mindset
• Proficiency with project management platforms (e.g., Asana) and Microsoft Office; familiarity with creative workflows and assets
• Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT) for research, summarization, content iteration, and workflow optimization is preferred
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; professional presence and accountability
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans