SHAFR Electronic Communications Editor

The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR) invites applications for a new position of Electronic Communications Editor, with a focus on social media and content on the SHAFR website. The Communications Editor will plan, execute, and evaluate a variety of virtual communications initiatives, projects, and platforms that strategically align with the broader advancement of SHAFR and the academic field (including development, member relations, and communications). This individual’s scope of work will span SHAFR’s social-media needs, including members, committees and task forces, Council, print publications, and the annual conference. The Electronic Communications Editor will develop an annual work plan, in consultation with the President and the Executive Director and for presentation to Council, and is evaluated against the success of that plan. This position will also work with an advisory committee (much like an editorial board) in order to ensure a variety of perspectives and approaches within the content presented on the website.

The Electronic Communications Editor must have a strong background in diplomatic history and must have demonstrated strong skills in writing and editing as well as in managing social-media content. These skills may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, and, if relevant, videography and photography, media relations, and/or graphic design. The Electronic Communications Editor should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of SHAFR staff and will work closely with other staff members as well as across the organization.

This individual’s efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of SHAFR, its printed publications, and its commitments to assisting its members in the teaching, research, service, and publication elements of their careers. The Electronic Communications Editor must follow all SHAFR policies and procedures as well as the guidelines included in the SHAFR Code of Conduct.

Required Qualifications

• Strong educational background in diplomatic history, broadly defined.
• Strong written communication skills, including editing and writing.
• Experience working with communication platforms in a professional setting.
• Experience meeting deadlines and navigating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational/interpersonal skills and the ability to thrive in a team setting.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel periodically as needed.
• Familiarity with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms as well as professional/organizational social media management.
• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit environment.

To apply, please submit the following to SHAFR’s Executive Director, Amy Sayward <[email protected]>: a letter of interest, a CV, and a vision statement for building SHAFR’s online/social media presence and making it more effective. If applicable, please also include information on what your institution would be willing to do to support the position (e.g., in terms of course release). Application deadline is September 30, 2021.

Questions and requests for further information should be directed to Amy Sayward <[email protected]> and/or Andrew Preston <[email protected]>.