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Director of Digital Programs

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Summary:
Poetryfoundation.org is one of the leading websites for poetry in America, offering an archive of more than 11,000 poems by more than 2,000 poets. Additional editorial content in a variety of formats includes feature articles, audio poems and videos, podcasts, news, and monthly material from Poetry magazine. The site served 20 million unique visitors in 2013.

The digital programs of the Poetry Foundation encompass two major areas of activity:

1) Using technology and digital publishing platforms to reach and engage a broad audience for poetry and Poetry magazine
2) Supporting and promoting all of the Foundation’s programs and initiatives

The current portfolio includes:

The digital programs team also works with the Foundation’s marketing team to maintain a digital presence on a wide range of social media platforms.

Job Description:

Responsibilities include the following:

  • Develop and implement digital and social media strategy and products including evaluating emerging technology for adoption by the Foundation;
  • Develop an online audience for a wide range of poetry programming including managing the process for gathering and reporting web traffic data, search results, and web traffic marketing plans, and establishing partnerships with other websites important to the mission of the Foundation;
  • Provide editorial direction to staff editors, producers, and consultants in order to publish the site’s frequently updated content. This includes acquiring and approving all articles and other content such as feature articles, podcasts, and other audio and visual features;
  • Work with other Foundation senior managers to publish online content and information from all program areas at the Foundation;
  • Develop marketing plans and campaigns to promote the website as needed.
  • Direct the process by which poems and other materials about poets and poetry are added to the site’s archive. This includes supervising the permissions process for all published content. Manage the technical staff and consultants who design and develop the site’s user interface to ensure the quality of the user experience;
  • Manage technical consultants, including developers, usability experts, and hosting providers, to ensure the security and performance of the underlying technical infrastructure;
  • Collaborate with other editors at the Foundation on poetry issues and judging of awards as necessary.

Qualifications:

  • Experience launching, maintaining, and growing audience for large websites and native apps—experience with digital editions of magazines helpful
  • Extensive use of Google Analytics and other metrics for strategic content and audience development
  • Demonstrated success in managing a suite of digital products (e.g., websites and apps), defined digital strategy for a publisher, non-profit, or university
  • Experience managing in-house web developers or web development consultants
  • High-level editorial experience—defined tone/voice, story-generation, cultivated freelance writers—and line-editing experience for a web content
  • Management experience – has managed writers, editors, technology staff
  • Budget responsibility
  • Experience reporting to a Board or making presentations to clients
  • Knowledge of poetry

Salary:

This position offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. Full-time, exempt.

Application:

The Poetry Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and values the various perspectives and talents of a diverse staff.

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, along with a C.V. or résumé, to employmentATpoetryfoundationDOTorg (please send all attachments as a PDF document; subject line: Digital Program Editor). The deadline for applications is April 15, 2014.

No phone calls or drop-in inquiries, please.

About the Poetry Foundation: The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs.