Senior Content and Storytelling Officer

Overview of AJWS

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and defend human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations on three continents and advocating for U.S. and international policies for human rights, we respond to pressing global issues—from disasters, authoritarianism and the climate crisis, to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all.

Overview of Team

With overall mastery of the AJWS brand and storytelling style, the Creative Strategy department generates print and digital publications for current audiences including donors, program partners, affinity organizations, clergy, and the Board of Trustees. Responsible for the annual report, monthly newsletter, country profiles, and Jewish engagement/education content, among other materials, the department serves as the liaison to internal stakeholders in Programs, Development, and the Executive Office, gaining knowledge of their marketing needs, advising, and delivering responsive marketing materials. Creative Strategy determines production and distribution calendars, assigns writing and design duties, and ensures adherence to brand, editorial style, and ethical storytelling guidelines. The department also manages relationships with freelance designers, writers, and photographers, and an extensive archive of photography documenting programmatic work.

Position Summary

The Senior Content and Storytelling Officer is a member of a dynamic team of content creators and editors who use both written word and visual design to inspire AJWS’s supporters with marketing materials, publications and stories about AJWS’s work and impact. The Senior Content and Storytelling Officer leads writing and production for the AJWS annual report and other major publications; partners with Development colleagues on donor proposals; contributes to our social media platforms; acts as the liaison to the Jewish Engagement and Advocacy team, and manages a team of freelance editors to proofread AJWS content across platforms. The Senior Content and Storytelling Officer also collaborates with the Director of Creative Strategy to develop the look and feel of branded products that effectively integrate text and visual assets for maximum effect.

This position reports to the Director of Creative Strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Writes and edits content about AJWS’s unique programmatic work advancing human rights, translating dense technical language of international development into compelling, engaging prose for a range of publications including major donor enrichment collateral, digital and direct mail communications, and educational and engagement materials for the AJWS community.
• Leads the Annual Report production, from concept development to completion, drafting all report and distribution content, consulting with and gathering data from stakeholders across the organization, collaborating with designers and managing review, editorial and approval processes.
• Partners with Development Division on long-form proposals for major donors, selecting inspiring entries from AJWS storybank and elsewhere to secure donor interest in AJWS’s human rights portfolio.
• Writes for the AJWS website, blog, and other publications.
• Writes, reviews and edits direct marketing copy, ensuring that all messaging adheres to AJWS’s brand and messaging guidelines.
• Participates actively in division meetings to brainstorm, pitch and execute new content ideas and initiatives in print and online, yielding increased opportunities to attract, engage and convert AJWS’s supporters.
• Leads the Country Profile initiative, drafting content for 1-2 profiles annually and shepherding them through the review process.
• Produces a range of print and digital publications including grantee profiles, event invitations, fact sheets, policy papers, talking points, and FAQs.
• Serves as the Communications liaison to the Jewish Engagement and Advocacy team, leading relevant communications projects, including writing and editing op eds.
• Manages external proofreaders to ensure compliance with AJWS style guide. The officer will also proofread content themselves.
• Writes and edits educational resources, including Jewish holiday resources and rituals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years’ experience in an editorial, marketing or journalism position, ideally including some familiarity with nonprofit sector.
• Exceptional skill as a writer with a passion for prose that conveys complex ideas in clear, compelling language.
• Meticulous copy editing and proofreading skill.
• Demonstrated journalistic skill (interviewing subjects, eliciting powerful quotes, writing attention- grabbing stories).
• Experience writing and producing publications and marketing materials including annual reports, fundraising campaigns, and brochures.
• Ability to lead and project manage sophisticated bodies of work, executing content and review processes from top to bottom.
• Interest in and experience with issues relevant to the Global South, and ability to work sensitively and effectively with grantees, beneficiaries, staff and photographers, to gather stories of impact in the field.
• Willingness to participate in a collaborative editorial process and to learn from feedback. Experience adapting personal writing style to an institutional voice.
• Enthusiasm for group projects, and project management.
• Willingness to learn about the issues AJWS addresses in its programmatic work and personal commitment to human rights and social justice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with photography including selecting images for stories, editing images, collaborating with photographers, and planning photo shoots.
• Experience working with graphic designers.
• Knowledge of one or more languages spoken by our grantees (Spanish and/or French)
• Some background in and understanding of Jewish texts and traditions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Salary Range: $77,000-$100,000
• This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt
• This is a union position

LOCATION:

Remote – Contiguous US-Based

*This role is flexible in nature and can be performed from a home office in the contiguous United States.

Additional Considerations

Black, Indigenous and People of Color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds.

As an organization committed to promoting social justice around the world, it is essential that we incorporate a diverse, equitable and inclusive lens into all aspects of our work at AJWS. We encourage applicants with a global perspective and a commitment to values around diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.

Authorization to work in the US is required.