Brand Journalist

Education Foundation of Sarasota County; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County seeks a Brand Journalist to lead storytelling and brand narratives. You will interview students, educators and partners, producing written and multimedia content for our website, email, social media, podcasts and donor communications in support of students and teachers.

You will collaborate across teams, maintain an editorial calendar, ensure accurate voice, and translate program outcomes into engaging stories that inspire philanthropic support while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of nonprofit/education communications experience.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with ability to adapt voice for different audiences.
• Strong interviewing and reporting abilities to build trust and uncover meaningful stories.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong written storytelling and multimedia content.
• Strong project management and organizational skills for multiple stories/timelines.
• Working knowledge of SEO, GEO, digital analytics and content performance measurement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related workplace tools.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify, report and produce stories that demonstrate the Foundation’s impact and illuminate issues affecting students, educators and public education.
• Build relationships with students, families, educators, staff, donors, partners and community members to develop a pipeline of stories.
• Capture and produce quality photo, video and audio content in-house for digital and social channels when appropriate.
• Manage podcast production from concept through completion, including identifying guests and topics, conducting pre-interviews, researching topics, developing interview scripts and managing production.
• Translate program outcomes, data and complex education issues into accessible, human-centered stories without losing accuracy or nuance.
• Maintain a story pipeline and content archive for cross-channel use.

Skills

Exceptional writing & editing

Strong interviewing & reporting

Portfolio storytelling & multimedia

Project management & organization

SEO & digital analytics

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications/public relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer

Work Location: Tom & Sherry Koski LaunchPad, 2000 Webber St Ste 130, Sarasota, FL

POSITION SUMMARY

The Brand Journalist is the Education Foundation’s lead storyteller, responsible for identifying, developing and producing stories that bring the Foundation’s impact and point of view to life. With journalistic curiosity and a strong understanding of brand, this role builds relationships across the organization and community to uncover meaningful stories from students, educators, donors, partners and other stakeholders. The Brand Journalist regularly works in the field to interview people, gather written and multimedia content, and translate those experiences into compelling stories for the Foundation’s website, email, social media, podcast, publications, thought leadership and donor communications. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, interviewer, and content producer who can move comfortably between journalistic storytelling and strategic communications. They understand how to capture another person’s voice as well as the Foundation’s, and can produce authentic, audience-centered content that builds awareness, trust, engagement and philanthropic support. He/she will demonstrate an orientation to nonprofit service and a passion for supporting students and teachers, upholding the Education Foundation’s vision to prepare each and every student for life.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Multimedia & Storytelling

• Proactively identify, report and produce stories that demonstrate the Foundation’s impact and illuminate issues affecting students, educators and public education.
• Build relationships with students, families, educators, staff, donors, partners and community members to develop a strong and ongoing pipeline of stories.
• Capture and produce quality photo, video and audio content in-house for digital and social channels when appropriate.
• Manage podcast production from concept through completion, including identifying guests and topics, conducting pre-interviews, researching topics, developing interview scripts and managing production.
• Translate program outcomes, data and complex education issues into accessible, human-centered stories without losing accuracy or nuance.
• Maintain a story pipeline and content archive that allows strong stories, interviews, quotes, photography and other assets to be used effectively across channels.

Brand Voice & Strategic Communications

• Serve as a steward of the Foundation’s brand voice, ensuring communications are authentic, consistent and appropriate for different audiences and channels.
• Develop content that ranges from journalistic and informational storytelling to donor and marketing communications.
• Produce and edit website content, newsletters, email communications, media materials and other organizational communications as needed.

Fundraising & Donor Communications

• Produce donor-facing storytelling for annual fund and campaign communications, appeals, stewardship, impact reporting and other fundraising initiatives.
• Translate program results and individual experiences into compelling narratives that help donors understand both the need and the impact of their support.
• Contribute storytelling and messaging to cases for support, campaign materials and other donor communications while maintaining authenticity and respect for the people whose stories are shared.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop strong working relationships across departments to continuously identify stories, emerging issues, milestones and opportunities for communication.
• Collaborate with Strategy & Impact to understand programs, outcomes and data and translate them into accurate, audience-centered content.
• Work with program staff to identify students, educators, families and partners whose experiences can help illustrate the Foundation’s work.
• Serve as a key contributor on the Marketing team, helping move communications and marketing projects from concept through completion.

Digital & Communications Execution

• Manage and update website content to reflect current programs, initiatives, stories and organizational priorities, implementing best practices for SEO and GEO, to reflect current programs, initiatives, and impact.
• Support email campaigns, newsletters, social media and other digital communications.
• Manage editorial calendars, content workflows, production schedules and assets through project management systems.
• Track content and communications performance and use audience insights to inform future storytelling and distribution.
• Maintain organized files and archives for written, photographic, video and audio content.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience, preferably in a nonprofit, education or mission-driven environment.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with ability to adapt voice, tone and style for different audiences and purposes.
• Strong interviewing and reporting skills, including the curiosity and interpersonal skills necessary to build trust and draw out meaningful stories.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong written storytelling and multimedia content.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple stories and production timelines simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of SEO, GEO, digital analytics and content performance measurement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related workplace tools.

Education Foundation Core Values

At the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, we are guided by our core values: I CARE about IT

• Integrity
• Candor
• Accountability
• Respect
• Engagement
• Improvement
• Thoughtful Innovation

About the Education Foundation of Sarasota County

With more than 35 years of experience, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County clears the path for students to graduate and go further. We support students and teachers with the well-being, resources, and relationships they need to succeed. As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to students and teachers in Sarasota County, we offer a full range of services, driving innovation and strength for the entire community. Guided by philanthropy, the Education Foundation unites the community to prepare each and every student for life. (EdFoundationSRQ.org)

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with benefits. Salary range is $60,000 – $70,000.