Society for Science

Work with the editor in chief and senior management team to establish an editorial strategy that aligns with the SNMG mission and the goals of growing audience and increasing loyalty.. Collaborate with the editor in chief and senior management team to improve workflows to better achieve SNMG editorial goals.. Work with the digital director and team to educate staff about SEO best practices and develop and implement new ideas to grow audience and increase loyalty.. Support the editor in chief and publisher on funding proposals, ensuring that they align with SNMG editorial goals.. 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 and remain true to that vision today.

executive editor

Science News Media Group (SNMG) seeks a visionary, innovative executive editor for our signature print and digital product Science News to help lead us through the next iteration of our 103-year-old independent nonprofit news organization.
We have just wrapped up a major editorial strategic planning effort and are poised to advance in our goals to connect new audiences with science, serving their needs by diversifying our storyforms and channels. Working alongside our editor in chief and publisher, the executive editor will help define strategic priorities and play a prominent role in identifying and implementing the best ways to achieve these priorities with our award-winning team of journalists.
The executive editor will have a lead role in our daily news operations, working closely with writers, editors, designers, and producers to make coverage decisions and coordinate coverage across platforms. The role includes editing features and other content, and collaborating with staff to develop series, special projects and major news event coverage.
The ideal candidate for this leadership position understands and has experience in engaging audiences across internal and third-party platforms and knows how to maximize engagement on each platform. The executive editor must be a creative thinker and problem solver, who has new ideas and is able to introduce and implement them and inspire a talented team of journalists to do the same. Additional consideration will be given to candidates with direct experience in change management.
The executive editor is responsible for coordinating editorial coverage across SNMG products and platforms, including our Science News Explores vertical for younger audiences and our Science News Learning education outreach program. The executive editor will also manage newsroom processes to ensure that department workflows and policies align with SNMG editorial and business goals, and work with the publisher and business team to develop special content that supports SNMG revenue goals.
The executive editor works to unite teams towards common goals and to maintain our exceptional standards of accuracy as a trusted, unbiased source of the latest news in science, medicine and technology, as well as how science helps us understand our lives and the world around us. This position reports to the Editor in Chief, SNMG.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Work closely with the Science News team develop and produce news coverage on multiple platforms, including print, digital, video and other multimedia, and social media.
Set short- and long-term content goals and lead the newsroom in achieving those goals.
Edit print, digital and multimedia stories and direct the creation of long-form reporting and special projects in a collaborative manner, ensuring content is inclusive and reflective of our diverse audiences.
In collaboration with the rest of the editorial team, identify and implement innovative approaches to our journalism and storytelling that engage more diverse audience segments.
Work with the editor in chief and senior management team to establish an editorial strategy that aligns with the SNMG mission and the goals of growing audience and increasing loyalty.
Oversee the implementation of the editorial strategy.
Supervise writers, editors and other staff as appropriate.
Identify and successfully leverage content alignment across our subject verticals and across properties, including Science News, Science News Explores and Science News Learning.
Ensure all journalistic content meets our exacting standards of accuracy, integrity and transparency.
Collaborate with the editor in chief and senior management team to improve workflows to better achieve SNMG editorial goals.
Work with the digital director and team to educate staff about SEO best practices and develop and implement new ideas to grow audience and increase loyalty.
Support the editor in chief and publisher on funding proposals, ensuring that they align with SNMG editorial goals.
Support the publisher and business team in developing a business strategy and products that align with SNMG editorial goals.
Look for opportunities to innovate around the SNMG mission.
Qualifications
12 years or more of leadership experience in a newsroom, or news reporting environment
7 years or more digital content creation with knowledge of traffic metrics, audience. engagement, leadership, writing, reporting experience as a journalist.
Substantial experience developing and editing multiple storyforms, including news, features and multimedia.
Proven management/leadership track record.
Experience covering science, medicine and technology, or a strong interest/knowledge of the fields.
Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Content strategy and development
Editorial Strategy
Excellent editorial judgment and writing/editing skills along with a good eye for photo and design that complements storytelling
Project Management skills
Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in an extremely fast-paced environment
Strong understanding of digital media (including SEO/SEM), social media, and emerging digital platforms and trends.
Proficient at interpreting data and providing actionable recommendations based on learnings.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to think creatively and strategically with an entrepreneurial and inventive approach to problem-solving.
Experience with budget management.
A respect for and commitment to the importance of quality journalism.
Required qualifications for all Society positions:
Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science.
Exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and external clients.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree from a college or university
Advanced degree in journalism preferred
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.
Salary Range
$133,000 - $158,000; salary is commensurate with experience.
Work Environment
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 in Washington, D.C. The Society is working on a hybrid work schedule.
Position Type and Expected Hours
This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours of the Society. Some light travel may be necessary in this position.
How to Apply
Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Please apply through Applicant Pro.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Science News
For more than a century, Science News journalists have covered advances in science, medicine and technology for the general public. 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 and remain true to that vision today. Our mission is to provide independent, unbiased coverage of science and give people the tools to evaluate the news and the world around them.
We connect with audiences through our print magazines-Science News and Science News Explores-and their associated websites-ScienceNews.org and SNExplores.org. While Science News is targeted to adults, Science News Explores (which launched online in 2003 and as a print magazine in 2022) makes science accessible for young people ages 9 and up. Additionally, teachers and students in nearly 6,000 high schools read us in print and online through the Science News Learning program.
Science News is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education and scientific research through its award-winning publications and world-class science education competitions.

Society for Science
Founded in 1921, 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 & the Public 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 identify 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.

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