Employment Opportunities with SPJ

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based membership association for journalists. We are dedicated to the preservation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. To accomplish this, SPJ hires smart, energetic individuals who are hell-bent on improving the Society’s offerings and operations while also making a name for themselves.

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– Program Coordinator
– Part-Time Bookkeeper

Part-Time Bookkeeper

Application Deadline: Position will be filled ASAP

Basic Function

The Society of Professional Journalists, based in Indianapolis, is the nation’s largest and most broad-based membership association for journalists. This part-time position will report to the Director of Finance. Ideal candidates work well with others and can stay organized and focused during high-level multitasking.

What we’re looking for:

– Someone who has a background in accounting and financial record keeping. Students majoring in accounting are encouraged to apply.
– Someone who has meticulous attention to detail, and double checks (then checks again) their work.
– Someone who can handle voluminous data entry.
– Someone who has experience with Quickbooks and Excel. iMIS database management software experience a plus.
– Someone who has the ability to solve routine problems independently.
– Someone who cares deeply about the quality of their work.
– Someone who has regular availability on a week to week basis up to 20 hours.
– Ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but not required.

Primary duties may include but not be limited to the following:

– Perform data entry of all incoming receipts and credit card income transactions into Quickbooks.
– Responsible for entry of vendor invoices, credit card expense charges and monthly account reconciliation.
– Assist Director with outgoing payments to vendors and chapters.
– Assist Director with the month-end and year-end procedures as needed.
– Other duties as assigned.

Also, please note:

– Ability to climb a flight of stairs, sit for extended periods of time and minimal lifting on a regular basis is required.
– Position is NOT remote.

Application deadline

The position will be filled ASAP.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to Director of Finance and Administration Amy Wong. Applications without the above requirements will not be accepted.

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Program Coordinator

Reports to: Executive Director
Works closely with: Program Manager, Associate Executive Director

Basic Function

The Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and managing the Society’s awards programs and working closely with the Program Manager to coordinate and manage other programs and events as directed.

Responsibilities

– Serve as primary coordinator and manager of the Society’s awards programs from beginning to end each year. These programs include: Mark of Excellence Awards (college student awards), Sigma Delta Chi Awards (professional awards) and other awards and honors that are presented annually.
– Serve as a resource for all internal and external awards information inquiries.
– Prepare and maintain a yearly timeline for each awards program, including submission, judging and notification deadlines and ensure that each program remains on schedule, which includes the management of member volunteers.
– Secure judges for all contests.
– Manage all facets of an awards program, including logistics, promotions, marketing, communications and planning. This will involve coordinating vendor and volunteer responsibilities and working closely with Communications team to promote award programs.
– Notify winners and distribute awards and materials for each contest’s awards presentations (regional conferences, Sigma Delta Chi Awards Banquet and President’s Banquet).
– Maintain SPJ’s proprietary online awards platform for each awards program to include judges, entries, and the tracking of awards submissions, and work with IT firm to manage and enhance the database.
– Communicate regularly with webmaster to ensure all rules, category information and other award program details are properly updated on website and award systems throughout the contest season.
– Coordinate all site logistics for three awards banquets including developing scripts for each of these events (Sigma Delta Chi Awards Banquet, Mark of Excellence Awards program and President’s Banquet).
– Prepare and monitor program budgets to ensure that each program remains within budget. Review all bills and expenditures.
– Coordinate and communicate with Awards Committee to determine changes and improvements to awards programs each year.
– Manage, coordinate and organize other Society programs/events: scholarships, board meetings, board elections, Excellence in Journalism conference, regional conferences, partner association conferences, etc.
– Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

– Strong organizational skills are a must.
– Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in work.
– Persistent self-motivator who can work with minimal oversight and achieve team goals.
– Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement.
– Good interpersonal skills.
– Ability to manage multiple projects and follow each carefully from inception to completion.
– Excellent writing and communication skills.
– Proven ability to meet deadlines and successfully motivate a wide variety of individuals.
– Experience in event planning preferred.
– Strong computer skills, with the ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and databases.
– Some travel required.
– General familiarity with journalism/news media and awards programs is strongly preferred.
– Bachelor’s degree preferred.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie. Applications without the above requirements will not be accepted.

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