Publications Manager (Communications Consultant 4)

Full Job Description

What you will be doing:The Publications Manager is responsible for the Society’s publications production including the triannual magazine, annual preview, annual report, and other periodic publications.

Duties include soliciting and curating content, editing, managing author contracts, securing advertising for the magazine and managing ad contracts, writing, managing design and publication branding, as well as managing print and/or digital production and distribution.

This position is integral to the Society’s educational mission because it produces our ongoing public history journal COLUMBIA Magazine, which is used by scholars, students, WSHS members, and the public to learn about the Pacific Northwest history.

The Publications Manager produces other reports and publications that help WSHS constituents, and the public to learn about the various educational offerings of the Society.

The position will also support organizational communication with the public and partners by writing emails, releases, alerts, and writing copies for agency projects.

A little about us:
Founded in 1891 and now into its second century of service, the Washington State Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's diverse and storied history. Our work illuminates the past, enlightens the present, and informs the future.

Our mission is to partner with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Our vision is to be the recognized destination for Washington State history. We achieve this by serving as our state's primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome.

The Society serves individuals and organizations statewide through publications, outreach programs, curriculum, free virtual public programs, and other online services. However, the majority of the Society's interactions with the public occur at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington. The Museum traditionally serves more than 80,000 annually, including more than 15,000 K-12 school children visiting the museum on a field trip. We also welcome more than 10,000 visitors free of charge each year through a variety of access programs.

We are much more than a regional museum. We continually ask ourselves how we can better serve Washingtonians across our state. Our Heritage Capital Projects grant program distributes up to $10M per biennium to fund public heritage, history interpretation, and historic preservation projects across the state. Our popular public history magazine COLUMBIA is enjoyed by readers of all ages. And the Historical Society’s collections at our Research Center, along with a digital collections database, are a resource to scholars and researchers from across the nation.

The Washington State Historical Society is a dynamic place to work with a dedicated staff. We expand our impact by connecting with communities across the Evergreen State through exhibitions, heritage projects, workshops, public programs, publications, and conversations. Our goal is to bring history into focus in such a way that the participant cannot help but discover valuable insights from and feel deep connections with the people and events of the past.

We have an active commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and are looking for team members who have a passion for professionalism and serving the public, and a desire to contribute to a positive work culture.

Requirements

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:

• Identify potential manuscript authors, cultivate magazine submissions, and maintain positive relationships with public history scholars and writers
• Select and edit manuscripts and illustrations that promote excellent scholarship in PNW history and advance the inclusive history goals of WSHS
• Gather content elements, procure illustration materials and license images
• Write text as needed
• Proofreading – work with volunteer proofreader to ensure timely final review of each issue before printing
• Communicate directly with authors to ensure on-time, efficient production of the magazine
• Manage payment process for authors
• Manage outside tribal review of articles related to tribal histories, including contracting services, generating invoices as needed and processing stipend payments
• Plan and coordinate with graphic designer to define quarterly production schedule
• Direct graphic design and oversee designer’s coordination with print vendor and mail house to ensure on-time production and delivery of the magazine
• Develop and execute strategies for increasing subscriber base
• Seek advertising sponsors to help offset costs of publication
• Research and implement options for digital distribution
• Procure content and images from agency staff and community partners to write, edit, and produce the Annual Preview of exhibitions and events
• Procure content from agency staff and community partners to write, edit and produce Annual Report in print and digital format
• Procure content from agency staff to write and distribute monthly e-newsletter email
• Assist with writing and sending emails to distribution lists
• Writing media alerts and press releases
• Work with agency staff to help form written content for projects

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Seven (7)) years combined education and experience in marketing, communications, humanities, journalism, publications management, or related discipline
• Excellent writing skills for print and digital media
• Competency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Ability to adapt to new digital technology
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills; demonstrated written communication skills
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work both independently and to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop a high-quality product
• Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and produce quality results on schedule with attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility

PREFERRED:

• Four (4) years' experience in communications, journalism or publications management.
• Knowledge of Washington State History
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Experience with Constant Contact or other similar email distribution platforms

Additional Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information.

Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

NOTE: This position is in a bargaining unit and falls under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the state of Washington and the Washington Federation for State Employees (WFSE).

Conditions of Employment:

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:

The Washington State Historical Society celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.Contact Information:For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan at email jobs@des.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.