Managing Story Editor - Center for Conservation Media

Department Background:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Conservation Media (Conservation Media) is a full-scale media production and communication strategy group, specializing in science-based content primarily focused on biodiversity conservation. Our explanatory media, documentary films, data visualizations, educational materials, and social media are designed to support scientific institutions, governmental agencies, conservation practitioners, local communities, and organizations around the world to impact priority environmental issues that are integral to sustaining species, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.

Our operating approach is to identify urgent issues where science is under-utilized; forge alliances with the local, regional, and international stakeholders leading established initiatives to accomplish specific objectives; work closely with those partners to co-design and produce high-quality content, educational tools, and media kits for tactical outreach; and disseminate media assets to all groups that are dedicated to a given conservation issue.

Position Summary:

The Managing Story Editor (MSE) is a leadership role responsible for the strategic growth of CM's array of conservation partnerships and projects. The MSE collaborates with the Center Director and the Senior Producer to identify new and advance existing conservation media opportunities. The MSE manages the day-to-day operations of the story and research unit including leadership of science editors, works with project leads to develop editorial content that aligns with CM's near and long-term content strategy, builds partnerships that deliver on the Lab's mission, and leads their own projects as needed.

The MSE will occasionally travel nationally and internationally to meet and gather story information from various organizations, scientists, and researchers.

This is a demanding and intellectually stimulating role that calls for a keen interest in collaborating with internal and external partners to develop media communications that reach their audiences of influence.

Position Summary:

Editorial Development

• 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.
• Develop, implement, and manage the unit's story development pipeline (slate).

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and train science editors, freelance staff, and interns.
• Work closely with science editors, project leads, and producers to ensure factual information of each production is properly presented, meets Cornell University's editorial standards, as well as the terms set out with external partners.
• Advise all Producers, Science Editors, and other staff on story development.
• Project lead on discrete projects.

Partnership Development

• Identify the leading organizations in the areas of conservation that align with CM initiatives, pursue leads and build relationships with these organizations.
• Edit research briefs for select projects with particular attention to how media can contribute to advancing conservation or contributing to public education.
• Liaise with the Lab Communications team and other Lab Centers to identify crossover outreach opportunities.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (Cornell.edu, multimedia production), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, campus statements, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication).

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all unit communicators.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2-3 days per week and on-site 2-3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What You Need (Qualifications):

We are seeking a team member who is highly organized, a highly competent communicator and storyteller with proven leadership skills and passion for collaboration.

• Bachelor's degree in biology, conservation sciences, science journalism/communication, or relevant field with a minimum of 5 years' experience working in a science editor capacity or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role that balances project objectives and professional development.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a partner development role with emphasis on collaborating with key stakeholders to tell their story.
• Extensive experience in researching and synthesizing complex scientific information and communicating for a wide range of audiences.
• Extensive experience working in a science editor capacity or equivalent for a recognized national or international media platform.
• Highly capable and confident verbal presenter.
• First-hand experience with contemporary uses of scientific information in explanatory media and storytelling.
• Demonstrable success cultivating effective working relationships with colleagues, scientists, professionals, and other external entities.
• Must have demonstrated ability for working collaboratively and inclusively in a team environment where cooperation between colleagues and flexibility to different styles and approaches is required.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• Advanced degree or professional accomplishments in conservation science.
• 7+ years professional experience in science communications for a newsroom or a large media organization.
• Knowledge of bird species and landscape-scale conservation issues.
• Professional connections in conservation networks that can produce strong leads for partner/story development.
• Written and/or verbal fluency in a language in addition to English.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role
  remotely 2 day per week and in-person 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• This position is based in Ithaca, New York. Employees who work remotely may receive
  multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1 and two floating holidays. Learn more about holiday and accrued time off, visit: https://hr.cornell.edu/about/employment-policy-practice/employment-policies/time-and-leaves/holiday-and-accrued-time
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

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