Audience Engagement Editor

Science News Media Group seeks an Audience Engagement Editor to help grow and connect with our robust online audience of over 13 million unique visitors in the first six months of 2023. The Audience Engagement Editor will work closely with other members of the digital media team and editorial staff to ensure that our journalism reaches the broadest possible audience while maintaining our core brand values. We're looking for someone who is science-curious and an expert on various digital platforms, including newsletters, social media (established and emerging), and search engines.

The Audience Engagement Editor will lead the newsroom's web analytics and use that data to help inform our editorial strategies. They will research, develop and execute new approaches to promoting our content. At the same time, this person must ensure that our digital voice is consistent with our brand, which is built on the highest standards of credibility and over a century of excellence in nonprofit journalism.

A typical day on our team might involve reading our upcoming stories about black holes, climate change and/or unusual animals and workshopping headlines that will catch eyes on various platforms; advising an editor on how to better organize their stories for long-tail search; and using automated dashboards to report how past stories performed and what we might do better next time. At the same time, you might be juggling a special project that aims to increase site registration or newsletter signups, and collaborating with our marketing department and a technical vendor or two.

Whatever the challenge - and each day will bring a new one - the Audience Engagement Editor will collaborate with colleagues at all levels of the organization to bring the latest discoveries in science and how it helps us understand our lives and the world around us to the public square.

We are looking for a creative, hardworking individual with a unique perspective. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive, equitable environment for all employees. We especially encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities to join our team.

You'll be joining a group of creative, inquisitive people who come to science journalism from a diversity of backgrounds, education and experiences, and who are passionate about our work as independent nonprofit journalists.

Job Responsibilities

• Craft automated analytics reports to answer key questions about our audience
• Perform custom analysis for the occasional question not answered by those reports
• Manage updates and configuration of our core analytics platforms (GA4, GTM, Search Console, Social News Desk, Data Studio and Metrics for News)
• Set requirements and acceptance criteria for technical updates to these platforms
• Work with our Web Lead and editorial team to evaluate and iterate content strategy on social media platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads), Twitter, Reddit and TikTok based on audience metrics
• Use audience metrics to help editors understand which stories were shared widely and why
• Advise editorial team on how to better present stories over search and social
• Serve as backup producer of images, video and graphics for social media platforms
• Collaborate on experiments to grow our audience on various platforms
• Develop, edit and produce newsletters that build audience engagement
• Collaborate with our publishing (business) team to ensure that revenue strategies support our editorial mission and audience growth objectives

Competencies/Qualifications

• Experience and expertise in using social media professionally
• Strong work ethic and time management skills
• Organized and knows how to prioritize tasks
• Fluent in SERP optimization and industry best practices for SEO
• Well versed in Google Analytics and/or similar web analytics software
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro or similar multimedia editing programs
• Exceptional communications skills
• Ability to develop rapport with colleagues, vendors and clients
• Affinity with or interest in science

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. As of Sept. 5, 2023, the Society is working in a hybrid mode with staff in the office two days a week.

This position is based in the metropolitan area of DC, MD, or VA.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours. Occasional travel may be necessary in this position.

Salary

$82,000 - $92,000; salary is commensurate with experience.

• BA degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in SEO and analytics, preferably in a newsroom
• Knowledge of Wordpress
• Experience managing social media feeds in a professional capacity
• Excellent copy writing/editing skills, with an emphasis on social media writing

Additional Information

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.

Submit a professional resume and cover letter via ApplicantPro to be considered for this position. https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/societyforscience/jobs/3079733-560473

• Cover letter question: In your cover letter, tell us about a story, project or engagement effort you produced and/or had other roles in. What role did you play? What are you most proud of? What obstacles arose in producing it and how did you overcome those?

About Science News Media Group

For almost a century, Science News journalists have covered advances in science, medicine and technology for the general public, including the 1925 Scopes "monkey" trial, the advent of the atomic age in 1945, the space race, and the revolution of genetic engineering from the discovery of DNA to today's gene-editing technology.

We were founded as an independent nonprofit in 1921 by newspaper magnate E.W. Scripps and zoologist W.E. Ritter, who wanted to improve the quality and accuracy of science journalism. We remain true to that mission today.

We believe in the power of knowledge and the free flow of information to build informed, enlightened and engaged communities. Our mission is to provide independent, unbiased coverage of science and give people the tools to evaluate the news and the world around them.

The daily website at www.sciencenews.org drew more than 23 million unique visitors in 2021, and we have a strong following on social media. Our biweekly print magazine publishes concise, fiercely accurate, timely articles that appeal to both general readers and scientists, with a circulation of 120,000. The magazine and website also reach students and teachers at more than 5,000 high schools through the Science News in High Schools program. Our sister site, Science News Explores, explains the latest science for ages 9 and up, with more than 11 million unique visitors in 2021. We are an editorially independent nonprofit news organization.

About Society for Science

Science News is published by the Society for Science (Society), is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News Explores, the Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, is focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, education, and inspire.

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Society for Science is committed to equal employment opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.