Communications Specialist, The New Teacher Project

http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=121987&c=jejdpr


The New Teacher Project (TNTP) strives to end the injustice of educational inequality by providing excellent teachers to the students who need them most and by advancing policies and practices that ensure effective teaching in every classroom. A national nonprofit organization founded by teachers, TNTP is driven by the knowledge that effective teachers have a greater impact on student achievement than any other school factor. In response, TNTP develops customized programs and policy interventions that enable education leaders to find, develop and keep great teachers. Since its inception in 1997, TNTP has recruited or trained approximately 43,000 teachers and worked with more than 200 districts in 31 states - benefiting an estimated 7 million students. Meanwhile, TNTP's acclaimed studies of the policies and practices that affect the quality of the teacher workforce -- most recently including The Widget Effect (2009) and Teacher Evaluation 2.0 (2010) -- have influenced federal education policy and inspired reform efforts across the country.

TNTP is active in more than 25 cities, including 10 of the nation's 15 largest. For more information, please visit www.tntp.org .

We are currently seeking a full-time Communications Specialist for our Communications Team. The location of this position is flexible and may be based in the central TNTP office in Brooklyn, NY or from a home office anywhere in the United States. This position is available immediately.

Communications Team
The Communications Team is a small, dynamic group responsible for TNTP's marketing, public relations and communications efforts. Among other things, the Communications team manages TNTPs brand and marketing strategy, writes and edits TNTP publications, provides strategic communications support to more than 25 TNTP project sites, generates proposals for new business, and ensures that TNTPs 300-person staff is well-informed. In 2010, the team coordinated the release of a half-dozen influential reports, advanced reform-oriented communications campaigns in partnership with several large urban school districts, and secured more than 50 editorials in prominent publications.
Role and Responsibilities

We know from experience that effective communications can be the deciding factor in the success or failure of education reforms. Simply designing the right policies isnt enough; TNTP must convey complex ideas in a compelling and accessible way in order to shape opinions and create momentum for change.
One of TNTPs main communications tools is its website, TNTP.org. In 2010-11, TNTP intends to transform its website into an engaging, dynamic platform that provides a continually evolving range of information, resources, and tools for teachers, school administrators and education policymakers. Through the website, TNTP hopes to articulate its vision for a 21st century teaching profession and provide the supports necessary to make this vision a reality.
The Communications Specialist will work closely with the Director of Marketing Communications to develop and execute a comprehensive online communications strategy aligned to TNTPs organizational communications plan and bring the new website to life over the next six months. After launching the site, s/he will be primarily responsible for maintaining and continuously improving it.

Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Develop and manage new TNTP website content
Post, organize and maintain online resources, tools, publications and other materials
Standardize processes for identifying, posting and archiving website content
Develop and execute integrated online communications campaigns to support TNTP publication releases or reform efforts
Coordinate with other teams whose work involves an online component
Ensure seamless brand and design identity across online platforms (e.g., micro-sites, TNTP Facebook page, HTML-based email newsletters)
Track and report on website traffic, and implement strategies to increase user engagement
Manage vendors engaged in TNTPs online activities, including graphic designers, technology providers and developers
Provide strategic support and guidance on website development across TNTP, as necessary
This position reports to the Director of Marketing Communications.
Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who believe deeply in our organization's mission, who thrive in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment, and who demonstrate a record of achievement. Successful candidates will also demonstrate:

Exceptional writing ability
Excellent organizational and project management skills
At least 2 years prior experience in website management / new media
Experience in communications/public relations/journalism/public education (preferred)
Obsessive attention to detail
Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills
Ability to synthesize large amounts of information effectively and strategically
Flexibility in a fast-paced environment of rapidly changing priorities and tight deadlines
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously and independently
Familiarity with basic HTML and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) a plus
A willingness to work non-standard hours and/or occasional weekends
Compensation
The annual salary for this position is $50,000 or commensurate with experience in a similar position, with the potential for a performance based bonus. TNTP offers a motivated team of dynamic colleagues, a collegial atmosphere that values professional development and valuable feedback, a comprehensive benefits plan effective on the first day of employment including low cost medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, a 403(b) plan with matching, potential opportunities for performance based bonuses as well as the chance to impact the direction of a growing, mission-driven company that is committed to the success of our nations children. For more information on TNTPs competitive benefits package, please visit http://tntp.org/join/our-benefits/

To Apply
Please submit your resume and tailored cover letter online at:
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=THENEWTEACHERPROJECT&cws=1&rid=917
We review applications on a rolling basis so it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. We will not consider applications without a cover letter tailored to this position, which can be addressed to Human Resources. Please note that an offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of a background check. The New Teacher Project is committed to fostering and capitalizing on the diversity of our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and seek individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply to this position. If you would like to learn more about our mission, please visit our web site at www.tntp.org.