Digital Communications Specialist

MRA-The Management Association
vision insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, retirement plan
United States, Iowa, Muscatine
Feb 11, 2025
The Stanley Center for Peace and Security, an MRA member, has an exciting opening for a Digital Communications Specialist. Do you want to be a part of a mission-driven organization devoted to real-world change? The Stanley Center for Peace and Security seeks a digital communications specialist to contribute to the organization's vision, mission, and strategic goals by executing organizational and activity-specific social media, website, and mass email strategies; creating content across online channels; tracking metrics and creating metric reports; aggregating relevant online media and key influencer content; supporting search engine optimization (SEO) efforts; and working collaboratively with all staff and outside partners while communicating effectively in an open, professional manner. The selected candidate will be innovative, curiosity-driven, and impact-oriented with: A deep interest in global governance and policy, especially as it relates to our issue areas. The ability to communicate complex, interdisciplinary policy-action strategies and impacts across a variety of channels and audiences. An understanding of the value, need, and means for creating a strong organizational brand. A demonstrated ability to think creatively and collaboratively. The ideal candidate will have: A bachelor's degree with coursework in international affairs, communications, political science, and/or related fields, or equivalent professional experience. An abiding interest in diverse cultures and worldviews. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to pay careful attention to detail. The ability and interest to learn quickly from colleagues across departments and disciplines. Experience creating content for multiple communications channels under one brand. The ability to adapt complex content for diverse audiences. This is a full-time, nonexempt position with the option to work remotely up to three (3) days per week, flexible scheduling, and an optional half day off on Fridays. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We offer competitive pay, opportunities for learning and professional growth within the organization, and a generous benefits package. Please see the job qualifications and responsibilities, benefits details, and application requirements below. Only complete applications will be considered. About the Stanley Center The Stanley Center for Peace and Security partners with people, organizations, and the greater global community to drive policy progress in three issue areas-mitigating climate change, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons, and preventing mass violence and atrocities. Based in Muscatine, Iowa, the center's home is one of the most ecologically sustainable office buildings in the world. FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION The Communications Department oversees communication strategy, brand management, publications, and media relations at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. The digital communications specialist is an essential member of that team and works across departments to contribute to and implement communications plans that are in keeping with our values and in service of our vision, mission, and policy goals. The role of digital communications specialist is particularly focused on executing social media, website, and mass email strategies; content creation; tracking metrics, online media, and key influencer content; and supporting SEO efforts. Primary Responsibilities The digital communications specialist implements key aspects of organizational and activity-specific communications plans that support programming related to our three issue areas-climate change, nuclear policy, and mass violence and atrocity prevention. On occasion, the digital communications specialist may also be called on to assist with the communications needs of our global education programming for the Iowa community. The digital communications specialist: Works with the director of communications, the creative director, digital communications strategist, and programming teams to plan and produce top-flight digital content for the organization's website, e-newsletters, publication promotions, and social media channels (X, Facebook, Bluesky, and LinkedIn) in keeping with the organization's brand guide and mindful of target audiences. Contributes to a comprehensive weekly and monthly online content calendar aimed at increasing brand awareness, generating relevant inbound audience traffic, and maximizing reach. Takes full advantage of best-fit content-marketing search solutions to: Monitor traditional and social media coverage of issues relevant to the organization's desired real-world outcomes and policy-change goals and shares this content with appropriate staff in a timely manner. Record all instances of the organization's work republished or cited in traditional and social media outlets. Create a comprehensive quarterly report of key performance indicators to help inform and improve content-marketing strategy. Implements website and SEO strategy as necessary, in consultation with the director of communications and digital communications strategist. Assists in managing relationships with printing and production vendors in consultation with the Creative Director and Director of Communications. Remains current on ethical considerations for and emerging trends in online communications tools and platforms that could serve organizational and activity-specific communications plans. Assists with the migration of archival online content as needed. Ensures accessibility for digital communications platforms are increasingly maximized. Supports center efforts to practice anti-racism and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Communicates needs and expectations, meets deadlines agreed on with others, calls out behavior that seems contrary to the environment we desire for our workplace, celebrates success and shows appreciation to others, and keeps an open mind willing to hear others' ideas. Performs other duties as directed, such as participating on organizational committees or other groups focused on tasks outside of primary responsibilities. Qualifications The ideal candidate will demonstrate an interest in and commitment to our three issue areas-mitigating climate change, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons, and preventing mass violence and atrocities. In addition, the ideal candidate will have: A bachelor's degree with coursework in international affairs, communications, political science, and/or related fields, or equivalent professional experience. An abiding interest in diverse cultures and worldviews. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to pay careful attention to detail. The ability and interest to learn quickly from colleagues across departments and disciplines. Experience creating content for multiple communications channels under one brand. Experience with desktop publishing, light video editing, and graphic design. The ability to adapt complex content for diverse audiences. Familiarity with WordPress, Google Analytics, mass email platforms such as Campaign Monitor, design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, and media-monitoring platforms such as Critical Mention and BuzzSumo. Familiarity with similar platforms or a willingness to learn quickly is welcome. Additional desirable traits include: Experience with photography and video capture for digital storytelling. Experience working across diverse cultural or international contexts. Foreign language skills. The position requires in-person work at the Stanley Center in Muscatine, Iowa, at least two (2) days each workweek. Applicants must be able to travel approximately one to two times annually; additional nonlocal travel may also be required Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. A preemployment background check is conducted after a job offer. Past justice system involvement does not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment; background checks are evaluated individually in relation to the specific role. What We Offer Flexibility and Benefits Work remotely up to three (3) days, with two (2) required office days (Mondays and Thursdays), per week. Flexible scheduling and optional half day off on Fridays. Minimum of 10 days' vacation leave annually (determined at hiring). Eight days health care leave annually. Eleven paid holidays plus two individual holidays per year. Up to nine weeks of paid parental leave. Medical, dental, and vision insurance; center pays approximately 95 percent of employee-only premiums; employee pays approximately $60/month for employee-only coverage. Flexible benefit plans. Retirement plan with up to 3 percent match plus annual contribution of 7 percent of compensation, 100 percent vested on day of hire. Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance. Tuition reimbursement and annual allotment for professional development. Lifestyle Spending Account: up to $1,500 per year for fitness, airline club memberships, veterinary expenses, home purchase closing costs, home office equipment, and more. Employee Assistance Program. Cell phone and internet stipends. Classification: This is a full-time, nonexempt, salaried position. Schedule: Monday-Friday, eight work hours per day, with some schedule flexibility, including optional half days on Fridays. Compensation: Salary commensurate with qualifications; a hiring pay range will be shared directly with all applicants. We cover most expenses involved with relocation, including housing-hunting trips and temporary housing, if needed. Our Location: 304 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, Iowa (work in-office at least Mondays and Thursdays). This position is located at the Stanley Center office in Muscatine, Iowa, a unique community of 23,000 people with affordable housing and a variety of recreational opportunities on the Mississippi River. From its founding in 1956, the center has been intentionally based in Muscatine. Our location provides a valuable vantage point from which to conduct global operations while also continuing the Stanley family's commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue, celebrating diverse perspectives, and promoting equity locally. We offer a beautiful, sustainable work environment: We have recently renovated the former public library to be our new home and have transformed the space into one of the most environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable buildings in the world. Within commuting distance of Muscatine are Iowa City (population 70,000)-UNESCO City of Literature and home of the University of Iowa, the renowned Iowa Writer's Workshop, and nationally recognized University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics-and the Quad Cities area, comprising Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, with a combined population of about 350,000. Application Instructions MRA-The Management Association is assisting us in filling this role. To be considered for this position, please apply using the application form on MRA's website. You will be asked to include a letter of interest, your resume, an academic or professional writing sample of 750 words or less, and at least three references. Priority Application Deadline: 5:00 PM Central time on March 14, 2025. The position is open until filled, but candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline. Position Posting Date: February 3, 2025 Target Hire Date: April 21, 2025 Hiring Process: Our hiring process can include an initial phone interview, a videoconference interview, and an on-site interview. The Stanley Center pays for travel costs associated with on-site interviews. We conduct reference checks before making an offer of employment. The Stanley Center is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, knowing that diverse perspectives lead to new and better ideas. We cultivate an organizational culture that reflects our vision for freedom, justice, and dignity for all people-one that is antiracist and in which all employees are valued and respected.