Manager, Publications & Research (COF)

Council on Foundations; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Council on Foundations in Washington, DC seeks a Manager or Publications and Research to lead the publications and research function. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to guide projects from concept through design and execution, while writing and editing original pieces and shaping strategic messaging.

You will develop thorough project plans, manage timelines, and contribute to marketing concepts to build awareness and engagement across the foundation community.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and editing skills for publications and media.
• Strong project management with ownership of multiple projects.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the publications management process from concept through editorial, production, design and distribution.
• Develop and manage all aspects of the Council’s publications and research function.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to optimize publication projects.
• Write original pieces and provide copy editing support for each project.
• Develop field-testing protocols and report findings to ensure mission-driven products.

Skills

Project management

Writing

Cross-functional teamwork

Vendor management

Editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in English or Communications

Tools

Content management systems

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Department: Government Affairs & Strategic Communications

Reports to: Director of Communications & Marketing

Job Summary:

The Manager or Publications and Research serves as a lead on developing and managing all aspects of the Council’s publications and research function, including: working directly with key internal and external stakeholders to optimize publications projects, developing thorough project management plans from concept to design and working with the Director of Communications & Marketing to develop creative marketing concepts to build awareness and garner engagement. This position also requires strong writing skills and the ability to think strategically and work independently.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead creative process from concept through execution of all new product development
• Directly oversee the publications management process (concept, editorial, production, design and distribution)
• Cultivate an environment that inspires creative thinking and drives creative excellence and quality for each product, while maintaining process continuity
• Develop field-testing protocols, collect/analyze data, and report findings to ensure that every product is mission driven and meets its desired goal(s)
• Research educational trends and work with internal and external teams to translate data into clear product solutions
• Oversee execution of publication project plans, communicating regularly with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all steps in the publication life cycle support the Council’s mission.
• Support the revenue team by presenting goals for new products based on market analysis of the sector and internal sales forecasts
• Work with Director of Communications & Marketing to provide comprehensive plans for upcoming products, resources and outreach to support short- and long-range development of new products
• Support publication standardization to ensure consistent and compliant practices across cross-functional teams
• Conduct an initial assessment of existing web content for timeliness and accuracy of information and images
• Write original pieces, both technical and creative and provide copy editing support for each project.

Education and Experience:

• 3-5 years of communications, publications and/or project management experience with project ownership responsibility
• Bachelor degree preferably in English, Communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent writing skills, including experience writing for publications, editorial and media
• Strong organizational skills; great attention to detail
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams, and to execute multiple projects simultaneously and in a timely, and cost-efficient manner
• Ability to manage external vendors and provide clear, concise guidance.
• Experience managing publications processes, philanthropic sector preferred
• Proven track record successfully working against aggressive deadlines
• Capacity to keep ahead of current trends and introduce appropriate new best practices
• Familiarity marketing via email and web sites
• Knowledge of content management systems and other technologies to manage and operate web sites
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and a keen understanding of Adobe Suite

NOTE: As organizational needs change, management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time. This document represents a description of intended job content and should not be construed in any way to be a contract of employment.