who we are

Title: Communications Lead Reports to: VP of Network Strategy 
Position type: Full-time
Location: U.S.-based, remote from anywhere in the U.S.
Exempt or Non-Exempt (Salaried or Hourly): Exempt
Compensation Range: $80,000-110,000

Benefits: 100% premiums covered by SJN for medical insurance, access to dental and vision insurance, 20 days paid vacation, 3 floating personal days, 6 sick days, 8 paid holidays, the last week of December off, a technology stipend, and funds for professional development
Applications due: Tuesday, August 24, 5 pm ET
Interviews: Sept 7 - 10
Start Date: Oct 4 - 11

BACKGROUND:

Are you a dynamic storyteller, culture shifter and media expert eager to develop and implement communications strategies to transform journalism at the global level? If so, read on!

Since 2013, the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) has worked to legitimize and spread solutions journalism — rigorous reporting that examines not just problems, but also effective efforts to respond to them — in order to rebalance the news. We’ve made a strong case for how and why audiences and society benefit when solutions journalism is integrated into the news — and we’ve had real success. We’ve worked with over 500 news organizations and 20,000 individual journalists and, based on growing demand for our work, currently staff are working across the United States as well as in Africa and Europe. Around the world, solutions reporting is being adopted by news organizations because it increases audience trust and engagement, sharpens accountability and can open up new sources of revenue.

Today we believe it is more urgent than ever that we take bold action and significantly broaden our reach. Building on our foundational work with newsrooms, we are embarking upon an ambitious new strategy aimed at advancing a system-level change across the field of journalism, in which strong communications will play a critical role. Working with a core group of journalists, educators and allies, we aim to engage tens of thousands more along with hundreds of news organizations in a movement to ensure ready access to news that is informed by solutions reporting. Our vision of success is sweeping but achievable. With broad adoption of solutions journalism, we envision an increase in society’s capacity to solve problems, widespread reach of more complete and accurate coverage, advances in fairness and equity in reporting and a public that is actively involved in the stories being told about their communities. 

Central to SJN’s success will be our ability to communicate a clear and compelling vision for a better future for journalism, one that resonates with journalists, educators and audiences alike and inspires and invites them to engage in meaningful ways to drive the transformation in news that the world needs now. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

As Communications Lead you will play a central role that is essential to the success of SJN’s mission. You will be responsible for leading communications that provide an exciting vision for a better future for journalism and invite people to join in its creation. You will collaborate closely with SJN’s staff and partners to identify and disseminate compelling solutions journalism ideas, examples and stories that build awareness and enthusiasm among partners and network members across the globe, helping them deepen their journalistic skills and creativity. 

In this role, which will include a good share of strategic work but be anchored in execution, you will amplify insights about the impact of solutions journalism in newsrooms and communities, designing communication tools and strategies that can advance a new sense of possibility about how news can work better to improve the world. Within SJN, you will strengthen and coordinate messaging across a range of communications functions, including SJN’s website, newsletters, press releases, blog posts, social media and more. While SJN is grounded in a traditional non-profit organizational model, we are shifting to a more team-centric, decentralized structure. You will work closely with the team at SJN that secures financial support for the organization so that we can work effectively with local and national philanthropic funders to help them appreciate both the vital role they play today in supporting independent, high-quality journalism and the value of the solutions journalism approach to surface and share problem solving insights for society. 

As Communications Lead, you will: 

• DESIGN A STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION, ENSURING THAT THE PLAN ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR EQUITABLE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
• Work with the network strategy team to determine and communicate the organization’s broader communications goals 
• Work with staff members to tell powerful stories that resonate with SJN’s myriad audiences
• Collaborate with partners and SJN’s impact team to tell the story of the impact of solutions journalism
•  Surface and disseminate stories from across our network that showcase the transformation solutions journalism can bring to newsrooms and communities
• Bring consistency and unified purpose to SJN’s public-facing communications--in voice, content and design--including our website, social media, newsletters, blog, and teaching resources
• Define and track relevant communication-related metrics to help inform our approach 
• With the Online Engagement Manager and others, highlight the work of SJN’s initiatives, products, and programs to distribute knowledge, activate network members and build community
• Advise and execute on content creation including publications, reports, videos, and social media, and ensure alignment with overall strategic goals
• Conceptualize and oversee all aspects of SJN’s annual report
• Manage SJN’s contract copy editor 

Does this sound like your calling? We hope so: We’re an energetic, ambitious and fun bunch, and we’re seeking great people to join us as we embark upon a purposeful pivot toward much-needed change in journalism. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Strong strategic thinker who understands how to effectively incorporate data and analytics into their work 

• Problem-solving orientation and an appetite for experimentation

• Storytelling in support of a compelling vision for how solutions journalism can build a better, more equitable media ecosystem and world

• Experience cultivating relationships, partnering on projects and working closely with colleagues and stakeholders across the broader media industry

• Commitment to centering equity in all aspects of the work

• Clear and powerful oral and written communicator with strong editing and proofreading skills

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish a plus

• Adept with digital, visual and social media

• Demonstrated ability in taking initiative and working independently

• Operate as a proactive and highly collaborative team player

• Excellent organizational and process skills

• Effective judgment, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

• Disciplined, focused and able to navigate ambiguity effectively

Do you have skills or experience that we haven’t thought of that would bring meaning to this role? Tell us how.

We welcome a broad range of applicants. The salary will be determined, within the range of $80,000-110,000, based on level of experience.  

Equity, Justice, Diversity and Inclusion at SJN means a workplace where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. Diversity of perspective, identity and experience are important to us. We aim to reflect and serve the whole of society, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to seek employment. We make all employment decisions, however, without regard to race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factors protected by federal, state or local law. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Eva Blanc (eva@solutionsjournalism.org).

Timeline:
Applications due: Tuesday, August 24, 5 pm ET
Interviews: Sept 7 - 10
Start Date: Oct 4 - 11

Click the "Apply for this Job" button above and fill out a quick form if you would like to receive notifications about job, internship, or volunteer opportunities with the Solutions Journalism Network. You will also be able to specify what volunteer opportunities interest you.