SRL Associate, Communications

Reports to: Director, Communications and Partnerships

Status: Full -Time/Regular/Exempt

Work Schedule: Hybrid preferred, remote optional

Salary Range: $55,000-$65,000

Position Overview:

SRL seeks a strong and enthusiastic writer, excited to contribute to our communication efforts, including newsletter production, outreach and marketing plans, and earned media that cultivates new interest and awareness of youth voice, perspectives, and SRL’s impact on local journalism ecosystems. The Communications Associate is a full time position reporting to the Director, Communications + Partnerships. The person in this role will be responsible for writing, editing and distributing external communication and outreach assets such as press releases, SRL’s suite of newsletters, marketing/outreach kits, conference and award proposals, and other support as needed.

You are: a clear and creative writer adept at working across different projects on the team, executing with attention to detail, analyzing outcomes, and celebrating team successes. You find purpose in supporting youth voices, public service journalism, and being a key member of a creative and talented team. If you are a strong writer and a strategic communications professional who is eager to join a creative, collaborative team — this could be the role for you!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Write, edit, and publish SRL’s suite of newsletters:
  • Weekly Sundays in StoryMaker (in collaboration with Community Engagement lead)
  • Quarterly Alumni Newsletter
  • Analyze content performance based on key metrics and adapt strategy to grow engagement and audience

• Event communications:
  • Draft event communications leading up to SRL’s tentpole events like the annual SRL Academy and Teacher Workshop

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS:

• Announcements:
  • Draft press releases, announcements and blog posts as needed
  • Research and support communications with local and national media as needed under the direction of the Director, Communications and Partnerships

• Awards and conference proposal development:
  • Maintain awards calendar, research new programs/awards to pursue to ensure SRL is positioned to increase visibility and recognition for our work
  • In collaboration with the Director, Communications & Partnerships and other team members, draft and coordinate program award submissions.
  • Contribute to drafting conference proposals and materials as needed

• Earned media support:
  • Collaborate to develop and send local and national pitches to increase visibility of student work in local and national outlets
  • Research and prospecting to discover contacts at aligned non-profit organizations and news organizations for potential pitches, partnerships, events, etc.

GENERAL COMMS MANAGEMENT:

• Help ensure that SRL’s messaging is consistent and engaging across platforms
• Support communication with SRL’s network of teachers, students and partners to promote SRL’s educational mission and brand.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Impeccable writing skills, with a creative voice that aligns with the SRL brand
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exemplary attention to detail, and an iterative growth mindset
• Demonstrated organization and analytical skills
• Proven ability to execute communications workflows (and contribute to their continued improvement)
• Excellent project planning, presentation and time management skills
• 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 with multiple priorities.
• Ability to balance independent work/execution and collaboration with a small and creative team.
• Enthusiasm for the potential of journalism, education, public media, local news, student voice, etc.

Preferred:

• Experience in community engagement and/or events.
• High proficiency in tools like AirTable and MailChimp (or willingness to learn)
• Familiarity with video journalism or broadcasting
• Interest in occasional travel to conferences, training events, etc.

Education and Experience

• College degree in communications, journalism, writing, marketing or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years in communications or a related field like journalism, writing, project management, etc.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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. Please also see our Benefits: Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously.

Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.

We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.