NSPA is hiring a director of communications

The National Scholastic Press Association, headquartered at the University of Minnesota is seeking a dynamic individual with vision and energy to serve as director of communications for the organization. NSPA and its divisions cooperate with student media associations and non-student groups and businesses that share its mission to educate and recognize the work of student journalists, to improve the quality of student media and to foster careers in media.

Director of Communications will set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate NSPA’s mission. The Director of Communications will ensure that NSPA is viewed as the primary source, disseminator, and conduit of information within the scholastic journalism community. The Director of Communications will work closely with executive director and coordinators as the communications partner on a variety of membership, services, projects and other strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • With the executive director, the director of communications will develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan across NSPA’s membership and outreach.
  • Lead the generation of online content that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action.
  • Put communications vehicles in place to create momentum and awareness as well as to test the effectiveness of communications activities.
  • Manage the development, design, distribution and maintenance of all social media, print and electronic communication including, but not limited to outreach, newsletters, brochures, programs and NSPA’s website.
  • Responsible for website administration and coordination.
  • Coordinate webpage maintenance—ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly.
  • Track and measure the level of engagement within the network over time.
  • Manage development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic communication including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, social media, e-newsletters and website.
  • Manage all other digital assets, including membership software, registration software, etc.

Specific requirements include:

  • Highly collaborative style; willing to oversee development and implementation of communications strategies
  • Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent design skills.
  • Thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
  • Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to “manage by influence”
  • High energy, maturity and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
  • Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, program participants and other supporters
  • Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in journalism or communication field. Strong social media, writing and design skills a must. Website administrative skills a plus. Understanding of scholastic media a plus.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, list of three references and three writing, design and social media campaign examples to complete your application. Deadline is July 3, 2019.

Applications should be sent to Laura Widmer at commdirector@studentpress.org.

The National Scholastic Press Association, based and incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit educational association, provides journalism education services to students, teachers, media advisers and others throughout the United States and in other countries. Our headquarters are based in Minneapolis.