Opening: Manager, Copywriting and Operations, Council on Foundations

Position: Manager, Copywriting and Operations
Organization: Council on Foundations
Location: Arlington, VA
Deadline: Open Until Filled

The Council on Foundations is a membership organization of more than 2,000 grant-making foundations and giving programs worldwide, providing sector-wide leadership, government relations and legal services, networking opportunities and other services to its members and to the general public for the purpose of improving and advancing organized philanthropy. Staff of the Council enjoy being at the very center of the world of philanthropy, with many opportunities to serve their communities through their work. 

Job Summary
The Copywriting and Operations Manager divides time between Editorial Services and the Office of the Vice President. The manager serves as the “final set of eyes” on all Council public documents—printed and electronic. The manager copyedits and proofs these documents to ensure that they adhere to the high-quality, professional standards of the Council at the direction of the director, Editorial Services.

The manager handles the flow of work to the department’s four teams (editorial services, marketing, public relations, and web services) as well as to its vice president.  In this capacity, and reporting to the vice president, the manager operates at the center of the department and, like the vice president, has a finger on the pulse of all its operations.

Essential Functions:

  • Copyedit and proofread all Council products designed for the public or for select, influential audiences. 
  • Serve as intake point for all work submitted to Communications and Marketing. Receive requests via “Traffic.” Assign requests with approval of vice president. Help facilitate communication between requestor and C&M staff assigned to the project. Update C&M “Tracker” as project progresses.
  • Assist the vice president with other duties, as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Copyedit and proof read all products.
  • Perform and analyze topical communications research.
  • Write materials, as time and experience permit.
  • Manage workflow to department by: monitoring requests sent to “Traffic;” working with the vice president to assign tasks to appropriate C&M staff member(s); staying current on deadlines and progress of each assignment; facilitating, as required, joint efforts between requestor and assigned C&M staff member(s); updating “Tracker” as projects progress.
  • Institute and manage cross-departmental and cross-Council practices.
  • Ensure cross-functional involvement on all projects
  • Attend other departments’ meetings with ear for C&M projects.
  • Maintain department projects calendar.
  • Work well with other employees, functions as a team player and accepts constructive suggestions for improving job performance from supervisors and managers.
  • Maintain regular and consistent attendance
  • Exercise discretion and independent judgment in the responsibilities associated with web design functions
  • Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

  • Undergraduate degree required, preferably in English or journalism
  • Minimum eight years experience copyediting; three years experience scheduling

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Superior copyediting skills and publishing experience
  • Proven writing skills
  • Proven ability to perform and analyze topical communications research
  • Experience in project management (five years)
  • Proven supervisory skills (five years)
  • Proven ability to perform to high standards on tight deadlines
  • Highly organized

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, use hands to keyboard and write. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  The employee may be required to travel out of town on occasion.
 
How to Apply:  Applications should include information which directly addresses how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and summary of work.

Where to Apply:  Send resume and cover letter to: Council on Foundations, Human Resources Department, Ref. No. 493, 2121 Crystal Drive, Suite 700, Arlington, VA  22202 or email to:  employment@cof.org.