Hybrid Lead for Conservation Media & Editorial Strategy

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Tuition-free Extramural Study and Aide

Comprehensive health care options

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Managing Science Editor for the Center for Conservation Media, a leadership role shaping editorial strategy and partnerships. You will mentor staff, guide editorial content across projects, and coordinate with internal partners to advance conservation storytelling.

The position emphasizes collaboration with external stakeholders, travel as needed, and delivering high-impact media that supports conservation science and public education goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation sciences, science journalism/communication, or relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in a Science Editor capacity or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a management role supervising full-time staff.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a partnership development role with external stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in researching, synthesizing, and communicating complex scientific concepts.
• Demonstrated presenter skills and ability to communicate to internal and external audiences.
• First-hand experience with contemporary uses of scientific information in explanatory media and storytelling.
• Proven experience cultivating effective working relationships with scientists, non-profits, and media contractors.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging, and well-being practices to business goals.
• Advanced degree or professional accomplishments in conservation science.
• Knowledge of bird species and landscape-scale conservation issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build networks that support partnership and story development.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese in addition to English.

Responsibilities

• Research, seek out, and identify opportunities where CM can have the greatest impact.
• Advise Center Director on conservation opportunities to pursue based on how those opportunities mesh with current work and/or advance areas of interest.
• Lead the development, implementation, and management of the unit’s story development pipeline and impact framework.
• Lead, mentor, and manage full-time Science Editors, part-time freelance staff, and interns.
• Work closely with Science Editors, project leads, and Producers to ensure factual information within each production is properly presented and meets Cornell University’s editorial standards as well as the terms set out with external partners.
• Advise Producers, Science Editors, and other staff on story development.
• Direct topical research efforts across multiple projects and assume Science Editor responsibilities for designated productions as needed.
• Identify the leading organizations in conservation that align with CM initiatives, pursue leads, and build relationships.
• Edit research briefs for select projects with attention to how media contributes to conservation or public education.
• Liaise with the Lab communications team to identify crossover outreach opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Editorial planning

Partnership development

Research synthesis

Presenter skills

Inclusion and belonging

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation sciences, science journalism/communication, or relevant field

Advanced degree in conservation science (helpful)

Job description

Cornell University is seeking a Managing Science Editor for the Center for Conservation Media, a leadership role shaping editorial strategy and partnerships. You will mentor staff, guide editorial content across projects, and coordinate with internal partners to advance conservation storytelling.

The position emphasizes collaboration with external stakeholders, travel as needed, and delivering high-impact media that supports conservation science and public education goals.