Employment Opportunities with SPJ
Program Coordinator
Application Deadline: June 24, 2017, 5 p.m. ET

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. After training, we get out of the way and give them the freedom to do just that.

We’re looking for a candidate to fill the position of program coordinator. The full-time entry-level job, based in Indianapolis, includes competitive salary, excellent benefits and paid vacation.

Complete details

Download a full rundown of the job — detailed responsibilities, qualifications and more — right here. [PDF]

What we’re looking for:

– Someone who is so organized, they know the birthdays and anniversaries of all their relatives (including in-laws and cousins).
– Someone who can jump from task to task with cat-like nimbleness.
– Someone who enjoys planning dinners, parties and receptions.
– Someone who sees the big picture, but doesn’t let details fall through the cracks.
– Someone who can think on their feet.
– Someone who isn’t an ass and gets along with just about anyone.
– Someone who always keeps a positive attitude despite difficult circumstances.
– Someone who asks a lot of questions, but knows when to shut up and get to work.
– Someone who cares deeply about the quality of their work.
– Someone who reads this detailed description from top to bottom.

Primary duties will include:

– Serve as primary contact for SPJ awards programs. These programs include: Mark of Excellence Awards (college student awards), Sigma Delta Chi Awards (professional awards), and other awards that are presented annually.
– Prepare and maintain a yearly schedule for the SPJ awards program.
– Develop and review timelines for each awards program.
– Ensure that each program remains on schedule, which includes the management of member volunteers.
– Work with IT firm to manage and enhance SPJ’s proprietary online awards platform.
– 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)
– Maintain a database for each awards programs to include judges, entries, and the tracking of awards submissions
– Secure judges for each contest.
– Manage all facets of an awards program, including logistics, promotions, marketing, communications, and planning. This will involve coordinating vendor and volunteer responsibilities.
– Prepare and monitor program budgets to ensure that each program remains within budget. Review all bills and expenditures.
– Serve as a resource for internal and external awards information inquiries.
– Provide assistance to local chapter leaders seeking information on local contests.
– Assist the programming department with program logistics such as processing registrations and preparing materials
– Manage, coordinate and organize other Society programs/events: scholarships, board meetings, 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.
– 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.
– Strong computer skills, with the ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases.
– Some travel required.
– General familiarity with journalism/news media is helpful.
– Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Application deadline and start date

Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET, June 24, 2017.

How to apply

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, résumé and three professional references to Tara Puckey with the subject line “Program Coordinator Position.”