Jobs
Openings:
Chief Operating Officer
A climate-bill comic strip. A report on the politics of public transit. A live chat about food and farming … and a slideshow of Snooki’s eco-sins. Not your typical news lineup — but “typical” has never been part of the Grist playbook.
Every day, Grist chronicles the incredible ways green is reshaping the world, from community activism to national politics, from bike lanes to business deals. We inspire our monthly audience of 1,000,000 and growing to take action, and to build a more sustainable future. Now we’ve identified ambitious goals for our own future, and we need an energetic, experienced, entrepreneurial COO to help guide us.
Working closely with our CEO and Executive Editor, the COO must possess significant management experience, strategic savvy, fiscal smarts, deep comfort with technology and data, an understanding of the uniqueness of nonprofits, and unflagging good cheer. Online media experience is highly desirable, and a passion for and curiosity about environmental issues would also be superb — or at least the ability to pretend to stay focused during discussions about carbon sequestration.
Responding quickly and creatively to opportunities and challenges, the COO — based in Seattle, with occasional travel required — will work collaboratively with our 25-person staff to strengthen Grist’s role as the premier media organization telling the story of our time. You’ll expand our reach, relevance, and impact, mobilizing millions of people to save the world. Not bad for a day’s work.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee a colorful gamut of daily operations, including finance, fundraising, sales, marketing, administration, and HR
- Lead a cross-functional team of senior managers, reinforcing a culture of collaboration and openness across our organization
- Partner with CEO to develop and execute Grist’s strategic plan and yearly priorities, designing and monitoring plans and benchmarks to measure progress toward objectives
- Develop and implement strategies to expand audience, increase revenue, and raise the visibility of Grist in the media and with influencers, funders, and other key constituents
- In partnership with CEO and Executive Editor, assess external opportunities for partnerships, growth, and business development, making recommendations, communicating activities to full team, and managing related projects
- Ensure fulfillment of commitments to partners, funders, and others
- Facilitate cross-department initiatives such as audience growth, community-building, membership, and social-media strategies
- Oversee financial management, including revenue forecasts, operating budgets, and cash-flow management
- Provide support to the CEO in leveraging the expertise of the Grist Board of Trustees and other external advisors, as well as ensuring consistent staff-board communications
- Motivate the current Grist team, recruit new staff members, and ensure that Grist remains a ridiculously great place to work
Qualifications:
- Deep experience managing a diverse and talented staff to develop and achieve shared goals, and seeing projects through to completion, preferably in a nonprofit environment
- At least 5 to 7 years of operations management experience, including revenue and expense oversight
- Proven ability to contribute to the strategic direction of an organization, and to translate plans into concrete goals and outcomes
- Directness, decisiveness, and the savvy required to quickly understand Grist’s culture, business issues, and requirements
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities
- Experience with technology, social media, and data analysis
- Bachelor’s degree required (we wouldn’t say no to an MBA)
- Journalism and online media experience greatly preferred
- A zeal for our mission of mobilizing readers to build a more sustainable world
- A wicked sense of humor
Salary commensurate with experience. Grist offers excellent benefits, a friendly workplace, and the opportunity to play a crucial role in an organization with a mission.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to COOjob@grist.org with “It’s COO Time” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.
Background on Grist
Grist is an independent nonprofit media organization that shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 1,000,000 and growing. We reach the next generation by cutting through the noise to connect big issues like climate change to daily life, and by spotlighting the people and ideas leading us to a more sustainable future. (Also by posting videos of baby animals.) Founded in 1999, Grist has been featured by media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC’s Today show, and Time, and has won several prestigious awards for its pioneering media work.
News Reporter-Blogger
Are you a talented, news-obsessed writer looking for an opportunity to show off your chops, sharpen your voice, and work at a news shop that’s making a difference? If so, then we have the job for you.
Grist, the acclaimed green site, is looking for one or more news reporter-bloggers.
Requirements:
- You have an irrepressible interest in news in general as well as in the topics we cover (climate and energy, sustainability, cities, food)
- You’re excited about exploring innovative ways to use new media to tell stories in a fast-moving environment
- You possess a strong voice and have no qualms about using it
- Irreverent humor comes easily to you
- You know how to pursue a story online and offline, in social and traditional media
- Breaking news thrills you, but you don’t think aggregation is a dirty word
- You understand the way blogs work and how one story can unfold across multiple posts
- You’re happy working independently, also as part of a team
Qualifications:
- At least 3 years of writing experience, preferably online
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities
- Experience and comfort with technology, social media, and digital tools for journalism
- Environmental experience not required, but a zeal for our mission of mobilizing readers to build a more sustainable world is
- A wicked sense of humor
Salary commensurate with experience. Grist offers excellent benefits, a friendly workplace, and the opportunity to play a crucial role in an organization with a mission.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to newsblog@grist.org. No phone calls, please. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.
Background on Grist
Grist is an independent nonprofit media organization that shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 1,000,000 and growing. We reach the next generation by cutting through the noise to connect big issues like climate change to daily life, and by spotlighting the people and ideas leading us to a more sustainable future. (Also by posting videos of baby animals.) Founded in 1999, Grist has been featured by media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC’s Today show, and Time, and has won several prestigious awards for its pioneering media work.
Major Gifts Officer
Is moves-management as much second nature to you as penning a good pun? Do you dream up fundraising events in your spare time and go gaga for all things green? Are you bored by cookie-cutter appeal letters and think there is a better way? We have the job for you.
Grist, the nation’s leading online green news site, is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to manage and coordinate our expanding major donor program. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated, creative fundraiser to grow with an organization that takes planetary problems seriously — ourselves, not so much.
Launched in 2008, Grist’s Beacon in the Smog major gifts initiative raises about $1M per year in gifts of $1,000 and up, and is poised to expand significantly over the next several years. The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Director of Development and manage and support major donor cultivation and solicitation, from prospect research to ongoing stewardship, from fundraising events to regular appeals. Grist has ambitious plans to increase giving from major donors — nationally and in our own backyard in the Pacific Northwest — and we need a dynamic, ambitious Major Gifts Officer to support these efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Beacon in the Smog major donor program, including prospect research, appeal production, donor correspondence, and gift acknowledgements
- Coordinate donor cultivation and solicitation events from small dinners to large soirees
- Create and maintain cultivation and solicitation plans for top prospects and donors, and monitor moves-management to ensure ongoing and timely cultivation of major donors
- Work with Grist staff and board to identify new major donor prospects
- Build, maintain, and solicit a portfolio of new major donors
- Provide support for meetings between donors and Grist staff (including the Development Director and CEO) and/or board members
- Oversee the production of monthly cultivation emails and other donor correspondence
- Manage information relating to major donors and prospects in Grist’s donor database
- Partner with the Director of Development to develop strategies to significantly increase the number and size of major donor gifts in support of Grist’s mission
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 5+ years of experience with fundraising, major donor cultivation, and event management
- Experience with prospect research and moves-management
- Strong project-management skills
- Ability to work well with external audiences, including donors, board members, event hosts, and vendors
- Strong database skills (familiarity with Salesforce is a plus); experience with email-marketing systems preferred but not required
- Impeccable judgment and strong decision-making skills
- Significant experience working independently to solve problems and get results
- Some travel and flexible work schedule required
- A passion for environmental issues is a bonus, but not required
- A wicked sense of humor
Grist offers good benefits, the opportunity to play a crucial role in an environmental media organization, and a friendly, fun workplace.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to majormajor@grist.org with “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. We are looking for a thoughtful, personalized cover letter that demonstrates your qualifications and writing style. No phone calls, please. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.
About Grist:
Grist is an independent nonprofit media organization that shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 1,000,000 and growing. We reach the next generation by cutting through the noise to connect big issues like climate change to daily life, and by spotlighting the people and ideas leading us to a more sustainable future. (Also by posting videos of baby animals.) Founded in 1999, Grist has been featured by media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC’s Today show, and Time, and has won several prestigious awards for its pioneering media work.
Business Development Internship
Are you interested in a career in online advertising or media? Do environmental issues and sustainability fire you up? Do you update Facebook before you eat your Frosted Flakes? Grist needs an analytical, tech-savvy, energetic and web-obsessed intern, so if you said yes to all those questions, you oughta keep reading!
Grist is the nation’s leading green news site, and we have ambitious goals for increasing our traffic and advertising sales in 2011 and beyond. To help us get there, we are seeking an individual who wants to build strong online advertising and media sponsorship skills in a dynamic and fun environment. This internship will include hands-on, learning opportunities as a member of a small team and requires attention to detail, analytical skills, and top-notch communication and interpersonal skills. And a sense of humor doesn’t hurt!
Internship Description & Responsibilities:
The primary purpose of this role is to learn about and support the Business Development and Earned Income operations at Grist. As an Intern, you will:
- Help execute online campaigns, promotional contests and offline events
- Create a variety of reports for the Business Development team, such as campaign performance and delivery
- Develop and execute lead generation and competitive analysis on an on-going basis, which includes:
- Tracking and monitoring our competition (blogs, traditional media, etc.)
- Performing a comprehensive assessment of ‘greenspace’ using online research tools (Google, Comscore, Alexa)
- Maintaining and updating records of advertising on core competitor sites
- Help with reader outreach and research
- Write sample copy as needed for promotions
- Assist with cross functional projects and ad trafficking as needed
Qualifications:
- 3+ years college, a focus on environmental issues, marketing communications, advertising, or PR a plus
- Exceptional communication and creative problem-solving skills.
- An interest in (and preferably experience with) online media, social networking tools, and the environment.
- The ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams, and to juggle many different responsibilities.
- Expertise in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Analytics and/or other analytical tools.
- Experience managing projects and delivering on a deadline
This is a 6-12 month part-time (3-4 days/week) internship and includes a semi-monthly stipend. Grist offers a delightful learning environment and the opportunity to be part of a unique online magazine with a mission.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Letmeintern@grist.org with “Business Development Intern” in the subject line. We are looking for a thoughtful, personalized cover letter that demonstrates your qualifications and writing style. No phone calls, please. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.
About Grist
Grist shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 800,000. We reach the next generation by cutting through the noise to connect big issues like climate change to daily life, and by spotlighting the people and ideas that are leading us to a more sustainable future. Founded in 1999, Grist partners with major media and our work has been featured in the likes of The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and on NBC’s Today; big guns such as Time have ranked us as a top green website. Why? Because planetary problems we take seriously — ourselves, not so much.
