Job Description

Communications Specialist II - Communications (Administration)

The mission of the AllenInstitute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the AllenInstitute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science

The mission of the Allen Institute administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the institute’s overall mission.

The Allen Institute seeks a creative and curious Communications Specialist to join the Communications team. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Communications and Media Relations, this role collaborates with stakeholders across the Institute and throughout the world of bioscience. The Communications Specialistis responsible for producing and editing a wide variety of content pieces across multiple channels, and in multiple formats, to showcase the scientific impact of the Institute, its partners, and collaborators. The ideal candidate is a versatile storyteller able to distill complex science into an accessible, lay-friendly narrative format using a full range of multimedia.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the Allen Institute’s “lead storyteller,” enterprising and sourcing original news stories and features that highlight research discoveries, breakthroughs, trends, and milestones
• Accurately distill, translate, and communicate complex scientific studies, concepts and methods to a variety of audiences, including researchers, donors, and the general public, and in a variety of formats, including written content, video, and audio
• Research, develop, and produce multiple types of written content including press releases, news stories, fact sheets, presentations, and more
• Serve as the co-producer for the Allen Institute’s podcast, Lab Notes
• Produce multimedia-first storytelling such as photo essays and ‘multiscroll’ stories
• Provide input and guidance on Institute-wide editorial content
• Work with stakeholders at all levels to develop key messages and messaging frameworks for scientific studies, milestones, initiatives, program launches and other announcements
• Assist with the production of Institute publications and collaterals. Includes drafting, editing and working with stakeholders to finalize all content for newsletters, annual reports, fact sheets and other collateral
• Collaborate with colleagues on storyboarding, writing, and co-producing video content
• Engage and collaborate with external science writers

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 1 year of writing or journalism experience
• Comfort with multimedia storytelling incorporating images, video, and sound into compelling narratives
• Comfort with photography and basic video shooting and editing skills

Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualities

• 3 years of relevant experience in writing and multimedia content production
• 3 years journalism experience
• 1-2 years experience writing about science, medicine, and/or technology for a variety of audiences
• Positive, solutions-orient attitude with an ability to work well in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong work ethic, sense of urgency and self-motivation, with the ability to manage multiple projects and work independently and as part of a team. Strong project management skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud
• Proficiency in WordPress or other CMS platforms
• Experience with podcasting or audio production software, especially Logic Pro
• Versatile storytelling skills able to easily shift strategies and approaches based on content type
• Ability to oversee complex writing projects and synthesize input from multiple stakeholders

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Standing and sitting for extended periods of time
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds (pushing a cart)
• Stooping, bending, crouching

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required
• This role is currently able to work in a hybrid work environment, working both remotely AND onsite (3 days a week); any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

• Travel, attendance and Allen Institute representation at relevant national and international conferences with storytelling opportunities required
• Travel as required, up to 5%

Annualized Salary Range

• $74,900 - $100,925*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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