Publications Manager

POSITION TITLE: Publications Manager

SUPERVISOR: Communications Director

LOCATION: Location flexible (including outside of the US), but US Eastern Time Zone working hours required

SALARY RANGE: $81,000 - $110,000

DEADLINE: Applications will be open on a rolling basis until a solid pool of candidates is identified. Applications submitted on or before October 26 will have priority.

 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

CIEL seeks a world where the law reflects the interconnection between humans and the environment, respects the limits of the planet, protects the dignity and equality of each person, and encourages all of earth’s inhabitants to live in balance with each other. To achieve that vision, CIEL raises awareness and educates world leaders, movement partners, and the general public on critical environmental and human rights issues by publishing cutting-edge and authoritative research. CIEL’s knowledge-generating publications and materials have served as the foundation for new global legal strategies, fostered greater intersectionality across movements, and contributed to impactful advocacy wins. 

CIEL seeks a Publications Manager to lead and manage CIEL’s publications processes. Responsible for rigorous project management, supervising production timelines, and providing process oversight for timely delivery, the Publications Manager ensures all knowledge products bearing the CIEL logo meet organizational quality standards and share consistent voice, tone, and branding. Working closely with and across program staff, the Publications Manager is responsible for managing the publications process from research inception, to drafting, editing, fact-checking, production, and dissemination – and ensuring relevant actors are aware of progress along each step. This position will promote excellence in CIEL’s research publications, ensure that they align with and advance CIEL’s mission and goals, and that they are fit for purpose to reach key audiences, including policymakers, businesses, multilateral development organizations, etc. Marrying writing and editing with project management, this role is ideal for someone who thinks strategically, is a strong writer and editor, has a strong eye for detail, and has horizontal management skills to shepherd publications through necessary review loops. 

The Publications Manager will work with the Communications Director to hold the 3,000 foot view of upcoming publications, and work to ensure alignment between and synergies among them, as appropriate. The Publications Manager will work to accomplish these goals through four primary avenues: strategy development, planning and project management, product review and quality control, and soliciting and incorporating feedback. This position supervises the Graphic Designer, and reports to the Communications Director. 

This role requires someone who can collaborate across a range of perspectives and positions with tact, humility, and professionalism, and who brings a strong commitment to fostering trust, clarity, and shared purpose in their work.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (percentages are general estimates)

Project Management (45%):

• Coordinate and administer the entire publication process for reports, issue briefs, fact sheets, and case studies, including: 
  • Convening kickoff meetings to establish the purpose, strategy, and vision for each publication; 
  • Managing relationships with program staff, communications specialists, coalition partners, and external experts through publication to production and dissemination;
  • Act as a guide and provide early and ongoing feedback to authors on producing rigorous, persuasive, well-substantiated content; 
  • Coordinate the review process for draft publications, provide feedback to authors on how to strengthen their research/analysis, and help guide reviewers and authors as needed;
  • Ensuring that procedures are known and followed, deadlines are being met, and remaining flexible but firm in troubleshooting when timelines shift; and
  • Oversee the development of high-quality design layout for print and/or electronic materials.
• Develop and track a holistic calendar of envisioned research/analysis for CIEL’s publications, in coordination with program staff.
• Act as the central point of communication for publication projects, ensuring teams and staff across the organization are aligned and informed about publication statuses, deadlines, processes.
• Mentor and provide support to staff on research design, data interpretation, and analytical issues. 
• As relevant, help program staff identify external experts who can effectively peer review the work, and coordinate that review processes.

Content Creation, Copy Editing, and Proof Reading  (35%):

• Serve as a substantive editor and copy editor for all CIEL publications that align with CIEL's mission and standards.
• Perform meticulous copyediting, maintaining coherence in arguments and adherence to CIEL’s style and quality across a variety of communications materials.
• Ensure that all publications are technically accurate, well-cited, and demonstrate a coherent logical flow.
• Ensure accessibility of content for a global audience by editing for clarity, especially when working with authors who are non-native English speakers. 
• Review CIEL publications and provide sign-off to ensure consistency in voice, tone, and quality.
• Develop and maintain custom editorial style guidelines.

• Support Communications Specialists as they develop aligned and strategic materials that advance campaign goals, including fact sheets, press releases, webinars, videos, and other informational materials.

Management and supervision (15%): 

• Provide day-to-day supervision, management, and ongoing feedback for relevant staff and consultants.
• Work with Director and Vice President to develop work plans and budgets in line with both short-term and long-term goals, and participate in fundraising activities as appropriate.
• Work with Director and Managers to provide planning and implementation support to the Comms team as a whole.

• Assist in information flow within the Comms team and with other CIEL programs.

Management and Administration (5%):

• Maintain timesheets contemporaneously and submit them on time.
• Meet periodically as requested, with supervisor and other team members.
• Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including an annual staff performance evaluation.
• Meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, maintain an organized file and version control system for publications, and ensure high-quality work product.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in a related field (for example: communications, project management, publishing, investigative journalism), including some familiarity with climate, energy, health, human rights, and/or social justice issues.
• Native English fluency with excellent writing and editing skills.
• Strong sense of pragmatism and skepticism, and the ability to diagnose and articulate weaknesses in research?
• Track record of overseeing high-quality research products that inform policy discussions
• Ability to apply style guides, uphold high-quality standards, give constructive feedback, and clearly explain the reasoning behind decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with teams of experienced professionals to achieve a common goal and navigate varied team dynamics diplomatically, build trust, and collaborate respectfully with colleagues at all levels and external partners.
• Ability to manage time independently, navigate competing priorities with agility, and demonstrate adaptability in primarily virtual work settings, effectively blending asynchronous tasks with synchronous meetings to ensure seamless collaboration and productivity.
• Comfort admitting what you don’t know and recognizing that seeking and receiving feedback is part of the learning process.
• Awareness of how your words and actions affect others, openness to and respect for others’ perspectives.
• Commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience in a non-profit setting, journalism, and/or publishing. 
• Experience with a variety of communication technologies and formats, including digital publishing and emerging publishing formats.
• Master’s degree in environment studies/science, agriculture/food systems, international relations/development, economics or related area required. 
• Additional languages are a plus.
• Familiarity with legal processes and international institutions is an asset.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

• Briefly describe three things that are important to consider when identifying a new body of policy - or campaign-relevant research and/or producing a credible publication for advocacy and apply this critique to a publication you worked on recently. Describe the publication. What worked well about those three criteria? What would you adjust based on your experience with this publication? (max 250 words)
• Briefly describe one example of critical editing you have provided. What was the topic being investigated and the central question it sought to answer? What challenge/weakness did you identify in the material and how did you go about addressing it? What was the impact of your editorial intervention? (max 300 words)

• Please submit a writing sample (in English).

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness.
• Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems.  
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.  
• Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what can be achieved by individuals.  
• Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done even when the odds are against them.  Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to accomplish the goal. 

Location note: This position may be eligible to work from the following locations:

• Remotely from a non-US country, depending on the country and provided you can work US ET business hours AND have obtained your own legal work authorization. Due to restrictions, not all countries will be eligible for remote hiring.
• In our Washington, DC office or remotely elsewhere in the United States (some jurisdictions excluded) provided you have the ability to legally work in the US.

Working Hours: CIEL works with employees and partners all over the world; however, our main offices are located in US Eastern Time (Washington DC) and Central European Time (Geneva). This position must be able to work US Eastern Time business hours. In terms of working hours, CIEL tries to support staff with life/work balance and working a 40-hour work week. However, there will be occasions when working more is required; in such cases, CIEL may provide compensatory time to use at a later date.

This is a full-time position (overtime exempt in the US). If you are selected for this position and elect to work remotely, you are expected to provide your own space from which to work. CIEL will contribute a one-time stipend of USD $750 for fully remote workers, with an additional USD $250 per year for the purposes of maintaining your remote work space.

CIEL offers a strong benefits package including employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; a 5% contribution of gross annual salary into a 403(b) retirement account; a relocation stipend; dedicated professional development funding; and paid sabbatical leave after 7 years. CIEL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the US, and full-time employees qualify for the US Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  

Anonymous Demographic Survey: Please complete this anonymous demographic survey as part of your application to CIEL. The survey will only be used to help us evaluate our efforts to recruit a diverse pool of candidates. Your answers will not in any way be linked to your application, and the answers to the survey will not be handled by anyone on the hiring committee for the role.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with CIEL’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, CIEL requires US candidates to furnish proof of full COVID vaccination status in order to be hired for this position. ​​If you are not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or vaccination is contraindicated by a licensed medical professional, you must provide documentation verifying this ineligibility or contraindication.

About CIEL: For 30 years, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL’s dynamic team of international attorneys and experts work together in a collaborative and supportive work environment to tackle some of the most interesting and challenging issues facing people and the planet. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, actively committed to the principles of multiculturalism and building an organization that is as diverse as the communities we serve around the world. We know that diversity and inclusion make us stronger, and we actively encourage qualified applicants with various backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and (dis)abilities to apply. If you need an accommodation or assistance with this application, please contact Human Resources at jobs[at]ciel.org.