Social Content and Media Relations Manager

Overview

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is searching for a talented social content and media relations manager who will own the strategy, content creation and execution of our social media and also support our public relations and media outreach efforts. This person will produce compelling social media content, manage the deployment of this content, and track the impact of that content across all our digital channels.

They will also help increase and track media coverage by supporting our PR efforts and contributing to press outreach. Your work would play a critical role at Bigelow Laboratory — a nonprofit research institute that uses innovative approaches at the frontiers of science to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on our planet.

Most of the organisms we study are microscopic in size, but their influence and potential are unmatched. In addition to creating half of the oxygen we breathe they sustain all life in the sea. No plankton = no whales! This is a hybrid position, and candidates will ideally be located (or be willing to relocate) within driving distance of Bigelow Laboratory’s beautiful, state‑of‑the‑art campus in East Boothbay, Maine.

This is a full‑time role that offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and a full benefits package. Local travel may occasionally be required. Hours are typically regular and constitute a 37.5‑hour workweek, but some additional, evening, and weekend work may be required due to events, deadlines, or other timely reasons. The salary band for this position is $72,000 – $82,000.

• Produce engaging social media content aligned with our communications strategy.
• Find opportunities (and gather relevant assets) to celebrate our laboratory’s science, culture, and community engagement through posts across each of our social channels.
• Track and leverage data across social channels to better reach specific audiences.
• Help manage our institution’s digital assets, including imagery and video libraries as well as collateral.
• Capture and edit photo/audio/video content and post it to our website, social, and You Tube channels.
• Help our institution's PR and media efforts by spotting opportunities, nurturing media relationships, and leveraging PR tools to promote efficiency and reach.
• Be the on‑site liaison for visiting media and journalists when they visit the lab and help coordinate their visits and interview requests.
• Help draft engaging and impactful content for media outreach, including talking points for key stakeholders, press releases, pitches, and newsletter stories.
• Assist in the training and preparation of our scientists and key personnel for engagement with the media.
• Execute basic graphic design tasks that meet a high professional standard, including marketing emails and other promotional materials.
• Help maintain a content calendar shared among the team, which includes a director of communications, a lead science writer/public relations manager, and digital communications manager.
• Consistently apply Bigelow Laboratory’s brand voice and visuals to diverse communications and help ensure that others do the same.
• Edit and proofread to ensure the highest quality and accuracy standards are met.

• 5+ years running the social strategy and execution, preferably at a science or research‑based institution.
• Ability to translate complex science in order to craft, and contribute to, compelling content, including social media posts, press releases, and website copy.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, science writing or other relevant field.
• Proficiency with social media posting services, like Hootsuite.
• Demonstrated ability in building and maintaining media relationships.
• Success generating earned media and familiarity with PR management tools preferred.
• Seasoned news judgment and solid understanding of how journalists work.
• Familiarity with project management applications, like Asana is a plus.
• Experience in Adobe suite of products.
• Design background a plus.
• Photo/video/audio editing…