Communications and Marketing Project Manager/Coordinator* (Science News)

The primary responsibilities of this position are to:

• Provide editorial oversight of the science news (weekly) content for external audiences, and to be the lead writer and editor for science news content; package ideas with sources for writers; assign, schedule and edit stories; and keep editorial calendar of web content. (50%)
• Provide marketing support to other departments. Assist with marketing of our products and services to internal audiences (members, customers, certified professionals, attendees). (50%)

Can be office-based in Madison or remote. Can be in-office part of week or remote.

Position duties:

• Manage science news story process for the Societies’ websites. 
• Assign, edit, and schedule science news stories. 
• Post news stories to websites on a weekly basis; correspond with featured authors. Keep story calendar. 
• Manage the work of freelancers for websites. 
• Promote news stories via news release weekly; promote blogs in same manner. 
• Collect and analyze earned media metrics (currently done in Cision). 
• Help maintain science social media presence. 
• Develop contacts in the science journalism field, and relationships with public information officers at universities and other scientific societies and institutions (e.g., USDA-ARS, Ecological Society of America).
• In the absence of the department director, process media calls and find members to communicate with media. 
• Help with communications and media training for members. 
• Manage the annual member photography contest. 
• Assist with internal/external information sections of all three Society websites. 
• Work collaboratively across departments. 
• Assist department marketing/communications people with their promotional efforts leading to revenue growth. 
• Help market/promote, create, and manage revenue-producing products (examples: blogs, promotional weeks, training workshops, etc.)

Travel:

This job requires at least one week of travel per year to the Societies’ annual meetings; in some years there may be travel to split meetings or specialized conferences to cover the science. Additional travel may be required to cover stories, public events, or attend professional conferences. As much as 20% travel may be expected.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to the various Society Boards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in science, science communications, marketing, journalism with a strong background in scientific or technical writing.
• Preferred: scientific knowledge of agronomy, crop, and soil science. 
• One to three years of experience in science/technical writing, media relations, and public relations/outreach. 
• One to three years of experience marketing products and services. 
• Ability to write about science and research in a compelling, captivating, and accurate manner, and in a variety of styles and formats, including, news stories, news releases, online content, and others. 
• Proven ability to proofread and edit readability for the average college graduate (internal testing required). 
• Excellent ability to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Competent in Cision, Newswise, Drupal, Wordpress, Google Analytics, social media. 
• Competent with photography and photo editing software (Photoshop preferred). 
• Ability to coordinate the work of others in a cooperative, motivational way. 
• Excellent time management, project management, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Preferred: One to three years working for a not-for-profit association/membership organization.
• Preferred: Experience with online and in-person trainings, and leading groups in workshops. Title will be based on experience. 

$40-60,000 depending on qualifications. Title dependent on experience. We offer a generous health, dental, life insurance and 401K with 4% immediate match. A bonus match of 15% is on a vesting schedule of 6 years. Vacation, sick and parental leave. Other perks - possible remote, satisfying job, great team, working with scientists who strive to feed the world and protect the environment.

DEPARTMENT: Public and Science Communications

REPORTS TO: Director of Public and Science Communications

FLSA: Exempt

• This is a full-time, salaried (40+ hours/week) position in Madison, WI.
• Reports to Director of Public and Science Communications.