Communications Manager

The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743 and, today, the oldest and most distinguished learned society in the United States, seeks an entrepreneurial, ambitious, and detailed-oriented communications manager.  The communications manager will have the unique opportunity to create the Society’s first communications department to better enable the Society to serve its mission of “promoting useful knowledge.”

Today, the American Philosophical Society is a dynamic and multifaceted research institution with a mission of “promoting useful knowledge.” (It should be noted that “Philosophy” in the eighteenth century meant inquiry, and the Society today embraces its motto of nullo discrimine (“without distinction”) by supporting the advancement of knowledge in all fields of knowledge through several program areas.) The Society is led by dynamic, new leadership that honors its venerable history while finding ways to increase its impact in the modern world:

• Research: The Society plays an important role in providing independent research support to the brightest young minds —particularly important in a time when research dollars are scarcer. Its international grants and fellowship program funds over 300 scholars a year and supports research projects on all seven continents and in virtually all disciplines.
• Unique Collections and Resources: With over 14 million pages of manuscripts, including the papers of Benjamin Franklin, the journals of Lewis and Clark, and seven Nobel Laureates, its Library is home to one of the most distinguished research collections in the United States. The Library houses four research centers and supports a museum next to Independence Hall that regularly receives 100,000 visitors from around the country.
• The APS Press, the oldest continuously operating imprint in North America, produces a series of thought-provoking books and journals every year.
• Convening Conversations: At the heart of the Society sits its many convenings of thought leaders who share cutting edge research in all fields of knowledge, a tradition that dates to the Society’s founding.
• A Home to Pathbreakers: As a learned society, the APS is guided and governed by its elected membership, which includes approximately 1,000 individuals who were elected because of their significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge. It is considered the most distinguished learned society in the United States. Seventeen presidents, dozens of Pulitzer Prize winners, Academy Award winners, Supreme Court justices, governors, and nearly 100 Nobel Laureates have been elected to Membership.

Collectively, the Society’s work and culture embody “the life of the mind.”

THE POSITION

The Communications Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a vital role in allowing the Society to serve its mission to “promote useful knowledge.”  

The successful candidate will report to the CEO, manage a communications assistant, and serve as the staff liaison to the Society’s newly-formed Communications Committee, a standing committee composed of distinguished APS Members. The successful candidate must embrace the Society’s scholarly spirit and be open to promoting all fields of knowledge.  The successful candidate must also embrace the ideal of a learned society, an organization formed to bring leading thinkers together to share knowledge and one that is largely run by these members.  The manager must be willing to work closely with these preeminent scholars to develop strategies to promote the work of the Society.

Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to the Society’s CEO Patrick Spero (email mromney@amphilsoc.org) to learn more about the opportunity, the Society’s current operations, and its future goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create and manage a centralized department that oversees the production and dissemination of all APS communications, including social media posts, digital and analog newsletters, physical mailings, mass emails, marketing, especially of events and books, and other forms of communication to APS constituencies and the general public
• Work with the APS’s Communications Committee to identify the APS’s communications objectives, priorities, and strategies
• Develop and implement new plans, projects, and initiatives to promote the Society’s mission and work, especially through the successful embrace of new media techniques, such as podcasts, videos, and other forms
• Develop and maintain press relations and strategies to increase APS public relations
• Work closely with the Development Department to craft communications strategies to enhance the Society’s fundraising efforts
• Track and report on media and communications activity to continuously improve and refine strategy
• Oversee and coordinate the activities of the Communications Assistant

This is a full-time position with benefits.  The Society offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, life insurance, long term disability, 403b with the employer match, and paid days off.

Salary Minimum:  $75,000. This represents the salary minimum. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. The Society is committed to hiring the most qualified candidate for the role and at a salary level commensurate with experience and accomplishments.

Institutional requirements: Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. 

Employment type: In-person, Full-time, Exempt position

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

The American Philosophical Society (APS), founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, is America’s oldest and most distinguished learned society. The APS’s current activities reflect the founder’s spirit of inquiry, provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, and convey its conviction that intellectual inquiry and critical thought are inherently in the best interest of the public.

The Society is based on Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, PA.

To learn more, please visit: www.amphilsoc.org

Environmental/Physical Capabilities: 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position operates in a professional office environment within the organization. The role frequently interacts with members in person, requiring extended periods of standing at service desk, often for multiple hours at a time. The role may also involve occasional walking, light lifting, traveling, and repetitive motions such as typing or using office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Minimum bachelor’s degree.

Skills and Attributes: 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Interest in and familiarity with nonprofit organizations, particularly those devoted to knowledge creation and dissemination (e.g., universities, think tanks, research centers).
• Willingness and ability to regularly work evenings and occasional weekends to support APS events; travel may be required.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience, ideally 10-15 years, in communications, development, marketing, public relations, and/or a related field.
• Experience developing and implementing the communications needs for a non-profit organization.
• Experience with various communications and CRM platforms (i.e. Salesforce, MailChimp, Sprout Social)

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.