Communications Manager

Description

NSF’s NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs:
Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations:
Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state‑of‑the‑art ground‑based observatories and providing data products and services for a diverse and inclusive community.

The Communications, Education & Engagement (CEE) group consists of approximately 30 individuals including communications specialists, educators, graphics professionals, and other content professionals. CEE is responsible for telling the story of NOIRLab and its programs in a cohesive and coordinated manner that is tailored to each of its target audiences.

As a critical member of the CEE group we are now hiring for NOIRLab’s Communications Manager. This position supervises the 5 pesticide? Communications-length? team and offers excellent opportunities to work in an exciting and diverse environment as well as for professional growth and advancement.

The Communications Manager is charged with leading the production of all NOIRLab communication products targeting internal and external audiences. This position manages all communication positions. The Communications Manager leads the short‑ and longer‑term strategic planning and annual budgeting of NOIRLab’s external and internal communication. This position leads social media, internal comms team, user comms teams, media relations team, Promotion, Events, Partnerships and supports the promotion and distribution of all CEE products.

• Leads the ongoing process of improving NOIRLab’s strategy for external and internal communications;
• Leads the production and dissemination of press releases, external announcements, and other external news products;
• Point of contact for media inquiries;
• Leads the implementation and the production of internal communication products such as internal news announcements via the Internal Newsletter, email and intranet;
• Leads social media strategic and tactical planning;
• Overseeing the integration of written and visual material in the development of audiovisual products;
• Maintains relationships with partners such as the NOIRLab Communications Network;
• Ensures continuity (and uniformity, where possible) in the many diverse functions at each site;
• Ensures that overall program scope and resources are in balance. Plans, prioritizes, and organizes project workflows to keep workload balanced for staff;
• Ensures that processes and workflows are established and in line with the CEE Values (e.g. to guarantee scientific authenticity, transparency, collaboration, inclusion, creativity, horizontal and efficiency etc.);
• Works with staff to set clear (SMART) goals;
• Monitors the progress of ongoing projects, provide feedback and prioritize and re-prioritize urgent and important tasks with staff;
• Coaches, mentors, supports, motivates, develops, and evaluates staff;
• Through personal example, set the highest standards;
• Facilitate a smooth flow of information to and from the team, including with peers in other CEE and NOIRLab teams;
• Supports communication activities for professional conferences and workshops;

• Bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, communications or a related field;
• Three years of experience working as a professional public science communicator;
• Previous experience as supervisor and manager;
• Demonstrated experience in project coordination and leadership (ideally in science outreach, news or marketing);
• Sufficient astronomy background to fully understand and communicate the main points of astronomy research papers;
• Native language level in written English and fluent language level in spoken English;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to lead and coordinate projects and work effectively and efficiently on a wide range of parallel…