About WHYY
WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.
Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.
WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.
About the Role
Enriching the public’s understanding of the communities we live in and reflecting and bringing together people of diverse experiences and perspectives is a core mission of WHYY. Communities in our region have a diversity of voices, but historically many are not represented fully in journalism and outreach.
WHYY News is in need of a part-time project coordinator to work on grant-funded community and engagement projects for 18 months. The ideal candidate is someone who can plan and execute successful community engagement events for WHYY News. The candidate is a self-starter and capable event coordinator who can meet deadlines and has a spirit for community organizing. Key aspects of the scope of work includes building relationships across the newsroom, identifying stories and topics that would serve as stimulus for Community Conversations and digital and live event community experiences, canvassing in public to encourage audience participation, and managing the logistics of events conceived by news teams and the community team.
Under the direction of senior managers on WHYY News’ Community & Engagement Team, with support from the Vice President of News, the candidate will coordinate forums, summits and other experiences that enhance WHYY’s local relevancy and deepen our ties to our region. The project coordinator will collaborate with editors, journalists, reporters, marketing and partners as assigned.
This role has a primary focus on project coordination, yet the candidate must have some community engagement interests as they may be assigned or asked to step in and lead a community discussion, per scheduling needs.
We are looking for someone who values being out in the community and who will champion community voices, especially those who are often absent in our news reports.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist managers on the Community and Engagement Team with the planning, scheduling, promotion and coordination of Community Conversations and live virtual and in-person event experiences
Regularly engage and recruit a diversity of experts, thought leaders, officials and media personalities for Community Conversations and digital and live event experiences
Attend assigned meetings to stay abreast of news department initiatives
Prepare event planning materials and reports that will help with the marketing, production and promotion of events in advance and the grant reporting afterward
Collaborate with various teams to populate and maintain the newsroom source database and serve as a liaison between project developers and WHYY
Work closely with Community and Engagement Team members and newsroom stakeholders to coordinate host and moderator trainings for journalists and editors.
Provide support for ongoing newsroom source tracking audit
Gather receipts and complete monthly log
Work with newsroom and community team leadership to plan workshops and trainings
Track project deliverables
Co-host or moderate community panels on occasion if needed
Capable of taking photos/videos, writing up summaries and tracking content for grant reporting purposes
Management meeting and engagement calendars
Ability to work nights and weekends when events take place, if needed
Other duties as needed
Education: High school diploma or higher. Knowledge acquired through work experience.
Experience: At least two years experience with project coordination and event planning. 1-2 years’ experience in community engagement and/or outreach. Preferred is 1-2 years experience in media (including internships and fellowships). Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse groups. Familiarity with social media outreach. Familiarity with community organizing. Fluency in Spanish or other languages is a plus. Strong logistics and organizational skills. Must have experience with Microsoft Office and other digital applications for organization and data collection purposes.
Technical Skills: Proficiency with online video and meeting platforms. Working knowledge of Excel and/or Google sheets.
This is a grant funded position, and at present funded until 12/31/24.- All WHYY employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Proof will be required upon hiring.