The Conversation U.S. is an independent, nonprofit media organization that publishes daily news analysis and explanatory journalism written by academics and edited by journalists for the general public. We take our work seriously, but we also offer a fun and flexible work culture with great benefits and lots of opportunities to shine and make a difference. We will consider candidates working remotely in locations across the U.S. We currently have offices in Boston and New York, and can offer a hybrid of in-person and work-from-home for candidates in those cities.

The Conversation is deeply committed to inclusion and diversity. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented groups – including Black, Latino/a, Asian American, Indigenous, LGBTQ, or armed services veterans – to apply to join our team.

The data specialist supports the editorial, fundraising and outreach teams by gathering and interpreting the data needed to show the impact of our work. You’ll ensure the accuracy of this data by designing methods for collecting it; managing databases; and presenting data to colleagues, university partners and other stakeholders. The data specialist also finds ways to improve analysis and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collects and analyzes data related to tracking contributors, their affiliations and publication data
• Identifies and works with the team to implement improvements to our existing workflows and tools, including our editorial base in AirTable – our main project-management tool
• Maintains and builds a database of experts, used to identify scholars to write for us and to recommend to outside media organizations
• Provides metrics and data to universities and team members on the impact of our journalism
• Compiles data for annual reports
• Conducts annual author and reader surveys, and works to collect and analyze feedback from our contributors, readers and supporters
• Develops ways to capture and share the impact of our work more efficiently
• Collects data for grant reports and suggests ways to improve the process
• Compiles our daily newsletter approximately one week per month on a rotating basis with colleagues
• Provides other support to the editorial and university relations teams as needs arise

As part of the TC editorial team, you are expected to:

• Understand and embrace our mission of democratizing scholarly knowledge for the public good
• Attend daily news meetings as well as monthly planning and staff meetings
• Be part of The Conversation’s public outreach, running training sessions for scholars and participating in conference panels as appropriate

Salary: $50,000-$60,000

Benefits: 401(k) matching, PTO, sick days, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, parental leave, vision insurance, paid holidays

Position: Full time

Experience: 3-5 years

Reporting manager: Deputy Managing Editor

Location: U.S.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Analytical thinker
• Proactive attitude to create and manage new ideas and projects
• Team player
• Self-starter
• Database management
• Experience scripting processes or programming languages such as R, PHP or Python desirable
• Experience with AirTable, or similar project-management software, including automation
• Excel or Google Sheets
• Data visualization
• Good listener
• Attention to detail
• Excellent communications

Qualifications:

● College degree, preferably in a library sciences or a data management/analysisfield

● Ability to be productive remotely

Tasks over the next year:

50% maintaining existing data sources, including finding and implementing improvements
20% compiling data for external partners like grant-giving organizations and university partners
15% producing reports to support internal teams, including editorial, fundraising and outreach
10% newsletter production
5% miscellaneous duties as they arise

Please send your application and cover letter to sumalita.bhuyan@theconversation.com