Managing Story Editor – Center for Conservation Media

Department Background:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Center for Conservation Media (CM) is a full-scale media production and communication strategy group, specializing in science-based content primarily focused on biodiversity conservation. Our explanatory media, documentary films, data visualizations, educational materials, and social media are designed to support scientific institutions, governmental agencies, conservation practitioners, local communities, and organizations around the world to impact priority environmental issues that are integral to sustaining species, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.

Our operating approach is to identify urgent issues where science is under-utilized; forge alliances with the local, regional, and international stakeholders leading established initiatives to accomplish specific objectives; work closely with those partners to co-design and produce high-quality science-based media, educational tools, and media kits for tactical outreach; and disseminate assets to groups that are dedicated to a given conservation issue.

The Managing Science Editor (MSE) is a leadership role that shares responsibility for the strategic growth of CM’s array of conservation partnerships and projects. The MSE collaborates with the Center Director and the unit's Producers to identify new conservation media opportunities and advance existing ones. The MSE manages the day-to-day operations of the story and research team including leadership, management, and mentorship of Science Editors, works with project leads to develop editorial content that aligns with CM’s near and long-term content strategy, builds partnerships that deliver on the Lab’s mission, and leads their own projects as needed.

The MSE will occasionally travel nationally and internationally to meet and gather story information from various organizations, scientists, and researchers.

This is a dynamic and intellectually stimulating role that calls for a keen interest in collaborating with internal and external partners to develop media communications that effectively reach their audiences of influence.

Position Summary:

Editorial Development

• Research, seek out, and identify opportunities where CM can have the greatest impact.

• Advise Center Director on conservation opportunities to pursue based on how those opportunities mesh with current work and/or advance areas of interest.

• Lead the development, implementation, and management of the unit’s story development pipeline and impact framework.

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and manage full-time Science Editors, part-time freelance staff, and interns.

• Work closely with Science Editors, project leads, and Producers to ensure factual information within each production is properly presented and meets Cornell University’s editorial standards as well as the terms set out with external partners.

• Advise Producers, Science Editors, and other staff on story development.

• Direct topical research efforts across multiple projects and assume Science Editor responsibilities for designated productions as needed.

Partnership Development

• Identify the leading organizations in the areas of conservation that align with CM initiatives, pursue leads, and build relationships with these organizations.

• Edit research briefs for select projects with particular attention to how media can contribute to advancing conservation or public education initiatives.

• Liaise with the Lab communications team and other Lab centers to identify crossover outreach opportunities.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university’s brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university’s teaching, research, and public engagement mission. 

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (Cornell.edu, multimedia production), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging,