The Association of Health Care Journalists, the world’s premier professional organization dedicated to improving the quality of health journalism and advocating for health journalists, is seeking a Director of Engagement to build on the organization’s strong foundation of training and educating health journalists. The association and its educational arm, the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism, are based at the world-renowned Missouri School of Journalism.

The Director of Engagement reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies geared towards membership outreach, growth and retention efforts consistent with the Association’s strategic objectives. While leading the Association’s overall efforts to recruit, retain and engage members, this leader will directly oversee the Membership Coordinator in developing the short- and long-term roadmap for delivering and ensuring the highest levels of service to our members:

• Create a roadmap for sustainable membership growth.
• Outline a data-driven member engagement, retention, diversity and recruitment strategy and implementation plan.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with other journalism organizations to enhance member benefits and services offered by the Association.
• Develop strategies to measure and strengthen member engagement, including processes for feedback on AHCJ membership, programs, and services.
• Work with the Web Producer in the collection, tracking and reporting of membership metrics and analytics, and to maximize the effectiveness of the membership database.
• Work with the Membership Coordinator to manage the entire member experience and processes, from recruitment, to joining and through the renewal process.

The Director of Engagement will also directly oversee the Events Coordinator in improving every member touchpoint, including crafting and implementing marketing strategies for conferences, workshops, fellowships and other training efforts, including marketing for the Association itself. Other responsibilities include:

• Maintain master event and marketing schedules of all AHCJ and affiliated events.
• Work with the AHCJ Contest Committee to execute the annual journalism awards program.
• Create and implement the Association’s social media strategies and campaigns.
• Streamline processes around fellowship, guest speaker and training feedback.
• Overseeing other special projects as assigned.

The Director of Engagement will have significant experience with marketing and social media campaigns, preferably in a journalism, media, or nonprofit membership organization. The ideal candidate will have proven success in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, a solid understanding of sound journalistic principles and have experience as a manager or supervisor. Periodic travel is expected for conferences and some fellowship programs.

Although AHCJ is an independent nonprofit organization, it is hosted by and plays an active role in the life of the School of Journalism, including employing undergraduates and graduate research assistants, offering training events and providing student fellowships to conferences. Contributing to the campus community, including teaching opportunities, may arise for a candidate with the appropriate background. This position is expected to be based in Columbia, Mo.

Application Materials
Please apply at https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic with job ID 35514.  Applications must include a professional resume, links to recent marketing and social media work by the candidate, references in the field and a cover letter that addresses the candidate’s qualifications and desire to contribute to AHCJ’s mission. Applicants also must provide a one-page diversity statement that specifically addresses how you would engage with a diverse student population with regards to teaching, research, mentoring, and advising.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred qualifications:

·         Combination of 10 years of professional experience in marketing and member engagement, including crafting and implementing social media campaigns.

·         Experience in a journalism, media, or nonprofit membership organization is strongly preferred.

·         Experience with planning and implementing strategies around membership growth and retention.

·         3 years of management/senior leadership experience.

·         Experience directing staff, including setting priorities for others and coaching them toward goals.

·         Experience in collaborative roles and relationship-building with diverse stakeholders.

·         Outstanding written and oral communication, as well as effective interpersonal and technical skills.

·         Understanding of journalism’s core values and ethics.

·         Strong computer skills with experience in database management.

·         Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to customer and member service.

·         Past involvement or membership in professional association or similar nonprofit.

The Association of Health Care Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public understanding of health care issues. With about 1,500 members across the United States and around the globe, its mission is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing. The association and its Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism provide training, resources and numerous benefits, as well as a professional home for journalists. Its offices are based at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Founded in 1908, the Missouri School of Journalism is the world’s oldest and leading journalism program and has been widely recognized for excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate education and scholarship. The school offers academic education and practical training to more than 2,000 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The School has a close and productive relationship with other academic units on campus, the media industry and the local community. It operates award-winning, community-based, multiplatform news outlets and produces comprehensive research-based advertising and public relations campaigns for real clients. The School also houses headquarters of prominent professional organizations, including the News Leaders Association (formerly ASNE), Investigative Reporters and Editors, Pictures of the Year International, and the Association of Health Care Journalists, among others.

About Columbia

Columbia, Mo. is known as an ideal college town combining small-town comforts, community spirit and low cost of living with big-city culture, activities and resources. It consistently ranks among the top small cities to live in the nation. Located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, MU is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System. Home to nationally acclaimed public schools and other colleges and educational centers, Columbia is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals.

The University of Missouri is a equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.