Specific Responsibilities:

• Serve as chief communications expert and authority on International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) communications disseminated to external and internal audiences to achieve association and departmental goals and mission;
• Serve as lead IBWA media spokesperson and govern the release of materials to media and consumer audiences;
• Provide advice to the President in carrying out policies approved by the Board of Directors;
• Organize and direct a program of work and budget to implement a strategic approach to issues as identified in the strategic planning process or that develop throughout the year; including positioning bottled water as a highly regulated packaged food product with consistent safety, quality, good taste and convenience and as a healthy alternative to other packaged beverages.  Other issues may include industry ground water usage and environmental stewardship, recycling, nutrition, and other regulatory, legislative, scientific or social/consumer matters;
• Position IBWA as the leading U.S. bottled water authority and resource;
• Work with other IBWA departments and outside experts to develop credible, scientifically valid information and resources that can be used to proactively or reactively represent the best interests of IBWA and the bottled water industry;
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with third-party organizations or individuals that can help the association and industry achieve its strategic goals and tasks;
• Serve as communications counsel and strategic partner for other IBWA departments on government relations, scientific and technical and other association promotional matters (e.g., membership and convention);
• Keep  IBWA communications up-to-date with outreach strategies that involve print, Internet website development and other social media outlets;
• Establish and maintain a sound structure to manage the work of the association communications staff; direct staff and resources as contained in responsibilities of IBWA Communications Manager and IBWA Publications and Special Projects Manager;
• Serve as staff liaison to Communications Committee chairperson(s).  Coordinate and direct, as warranted, Communications Committee meetings and functions (including preparation of agenda, materials and minutes) as well as tasks of related task and working groups;
• Support IBWA President.

Professional Characteristics Required:

Requires relevant college undergraduate and/or advance degree and significant experience in public relations and public affairs.  Must be expert strategist, writer and communicator who is able to manage and direct staff and outside counsel and/or vendors.  Must be highly organized with keen attention to detail and demonstrate the ability to manage multiple projects.  Must demonstrate understanding of bottled water industry and trade association communication needs.

Reports to:                              President

Supervises:                             Communications Manager and Publications and Special Projects Manager

Terms of Employment:           Annual salary to be determined by IBWA President

Evaluation:                              Performance of this job will be evaluated annually

Compensation:                        Commensurate with experience

Please submit cover letter and resume addressed to Joseph K. Doss (IBWA President and CEO) to ibwainfo@bottledwater.org

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) located in Alexandria, Virginia is the trade association representing the bottled water industry. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and International bottlers, distributors and suppliers.