Communications & Marketing Manager

Join our team at East River Electric Power Cooperative! Are you a strategic communicator and creative leader who is passionate about storytelling, member engagement, and building strong community connections? We are looking for a Communications & Marketing Manager to lead the planning and execution of our communications and marketing efforts that support our mission and strengthen relationships with our member systems and communities. In this role, you'll help shape how East River shares its story, promotes its values, and connects with those we serve through meaningful and impactful communication.

At East River Electric Power Cooperative we're dedicated to providing reliable and affordable wholesale power to our members across 40,000 square miles of service area. As a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, we provide electricity to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system serving eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the lives of the member-owners in their service territories.

Our Cooperative Community

As a cooperative, we do things differently! The decisions we make are made with our members in mind. We've built our foundation on Touchstone Energy's four cooperative values: integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. These values represent the cooperative difference, which is why we value things like community outreach, teamwork, and work-life balance.

This incredible job opportunity awaits you at our main campus in Madison, South Dakota. Madison offers a warm and welcoming small-town atmosphere combined with modern amenities that make it the perfect place for you and your family. Take advantage of great resources like the state-of-the-art Madison Regional Hospital, experience the innovative campus of Dakota State University, enjoy a thriving community center, and more. With two stunning lakes nearby, recreational opportunities are abundant, and you'll be just a short drive away from many of eastern South Dakota's most popular attractions.

What You'll Accomplish

As a valued member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Your education, skills, and experience will be put to excellent use, contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional wholesale power to our members. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who embody the cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. We believe in investing in your growth and development, which is why we offer paid training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. In this position you will:

• Help shape and share East River's story by developing creative communication strategies that highlight the cooperative and its member systems.
• Take the lead in planning and delivering East River's annual meeting, annual report, presentations, and other important communications projects.
• Support member systems through regional communication and marketing programs, including production of branding resources, outreach materials, farm safety campaigns, and educational initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with member cooperative staff, media contacts, and external partners to help advance East River's communication goals.
• Work closely with East River's contracted advertising agency to coordinate media buying, creative production and public relations activities.
• Write and produce monthly board video reports, keep an eye on social media activity, oversee a monthly newsletter and help ensure East River and its member systems communicate in a timely and effective way.
• Help guide department operations through planning, budgeting, resource coordination, and support of East River's strategic priorities.
• Lead and support your team by setting clear goals, offering coaching and feedback, encouraging growth, and fostering a positive workplace.
• Represent East River at local, regional, and national meetings, serve on various committees and share presentations with the Board of Directors, member systems, public officials, and other key stakeholders.

Showcase Your Knowledge, Abilities, and Expertise. Do you have?

• A bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, or media relations
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to write and speak clearly while creating engaging messages for a variety of audiences
• Proven leadership skills that foster teamwork, support employee growth, encourage sound decision-making, and drive effective project execution
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer technology tools
• Ability to stay organized, manage time well, and successfully handle multiple projects at the same time
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Benefits that Matter

At East River, we value your well-being and want you to thrive. That's why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical insurance with employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Access to a wellness program and financial planning resources
• Retirement pension plan and contribution to a 401(k) savings plan
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• 9/80 work schedule, which gives you every other Friday off to encourage a work-life balance.

Want to learn more about East River? Visit our website's career pages and hear what our current employees have to say.

Questions? Contact hr@eastriver.coop or (605) 256-4536.

Visit our Careers Page to apply. Applications accepted through June 26, 2026, with interviews expected to begin the week of July 6.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.