Senior Manager, Communications

Exempt, full-time

Reports to: Executive Director, Student Reporting Labs

JOB OBJECTIVE

The Student Reporting Labs Senior Manager, Communications and Partnerships, oversees communications strategy in an exciting period of growth with partnership coordination, marketing plans, external communications, earned media and engagement to cultivate interest and awareness of youth voice, student storytelling and the program’s impact on local journalism ecosystems. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Senior Manager, Communications and Partnerships is part of the leadership team and is responsible for setting priorities and implementing an effective communications strategy. Essential functions include writing, editing and distributing content including press releases, marketing materials, conference proposals; presentations and communication with local and national media; campaigns to reach audience growth and engagement objectives; setting targets, measuring and reporting impact and success; supporting event management with slide deck preparation, rehearsals, schedule coordination. This position is the internship program supervisor, selecting candidates, developing, and sustaining interns. You will oversee the award calendar and ensure that SRL is positioned to garner recognition for our work by drafting and facilitating program award submissions; assisting in the creation of program promos; coordinating and sourcing student interviews for partner events. You will oversee public facing newsletters and marketing campaigns with station partners. You will help organize events such as the annual Student Academy, Teacher Workshop and conference presentations with the goal of growing the reach, scale and visibility of student media, youth voice and educator empowerment. 

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

With a passion for communications strategy, systems and details, you must be adept at balancing multiple projects at once, articulating goals, identifying issues, finding solutions, analyzing outcomes and celebrating successes.

• Creative thinking and positive leadership skills.
• High proficiency in project management tools such as AirTable, Slack, and Google
• Impeccable writing skills.
• Demonstrated organization and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to create and implement internal and external communications workflows to meet department goals.
• Excellent project planning, presentation and time management skills.
• Exemplary attention to detail and iterative mindset.
• Dedication to contributing to a positive team culture.
• Ability to work effectively in a department that consistently works with leaders and producers in a fast-paced content setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures while collaborating positively and enthusiastically with a team.
• Ability to manage, supervise, and mentor seasonal interns.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years experience in communications for a media, journalism and/or education organization, writing and editing marketing material, creating campaigns and measuring success.  

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations.  We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA.  WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible.  Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

VACCINATION POLICY

WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community.   In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.

In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment.  Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships.  WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.