Employment Opportunities with SPJ
Communications Postgraduate Internship

Application Deadline: May 4, 2018 at 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 perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. To accomplish this, SPJ hires smart, energetic individuals who are determined to improve the Society’s offerings and operations — while 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 a two-year internship for writing, marketing, social media and public relations efforts. The full-time position, based in Indianapolis, includes competitive salary, excellent benefits and paid leave.

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.
— Someone who is a whiz on social media, has experience with marketing and is capable of sharing information in ways that make people listen.
— Someone who can jump from task to task with cat-like nimbleness.
— Someone who knows journalism.
— Someone who gets along with just about anyone.
— Someone who asks a lot of questions, but knows when to get to work.
— Someone familiar with AP Style.
— Someone familiar with HTML coding.
— Someone familiar with Google AdWords.
— Someone who can work independently as well as with supervisors.
— Someone who cares deeply about the quality of their work.
— Someone who reads this detailed description from top to bottom.

Education requirement

There is no specific education or discipline requirement, though the position is ideal for a person who recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a journalism or communications program. Past interns have come out of undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing and public policy/public administration. Most important, the applicant should demonstrate a strong desire to create innovative communications strategies for SPJ and keep the organization moving forward with the dynamic industry it supports.

Primary duties will include:

— working with SPJ’s board and staff to create and distribute internal and external messages.
— managing, maintaining, building and expanding SPJ’s social media presence.
— providing editorial content for all of SPJ’s communications vehicles, including its member magazine (Quill) and weekly and monthly e-newsletters.
— building and maintaining media contact lists to advance SPJ’s advocacy.
— creating and implementing marketing plans for campaigns throughout the year.
— assisting in marketing and promoting all of SPJ’s products and services.
— organizing media inquiries, interviews and helping to prepare board members and leaders for media opportunities.

Application deadline and start date

Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET, May 4, 2018. The anticipated start date is May/June 2018, and will last two years.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, résumé and three professional references to Jennifer Royer via:

1. Email (preferred)

Send your application materials to jroyer@spj.org. Please type “Communications Coordinator Position” in the subject line.

2. Mail-in option

Society of Professional Journalists
ATTN: Jennifer Royer
3909 N. Meridian St., Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46208

For more information

Contact Jennifer Royer, director of communications and marketing, via email or by phone at 317-361-4134.