Montana Career Opportunity – Media Director -Adventure Cycling Association, Missoula, MT

Adventure Cycling Association http://www.adventurecycling.org seeks a dynamic, well-organized, and good-spirited staffer to direct our media and electronic communications work and to help further our mission of inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle. This is a unique and fulfilling opportunity to promote bicycling and bicycle travel — for North America’s largest bicycle membership non-profit organization. It’s also a great opportunity to work simultaneously in traditional (print, TV, radio) and new (web, blog, video) media formats. We seek an individual who is passionate about bicycling, thrives on interacting with people, and has experience working with media, crafting messages, and meeting deadlines. The position is based in Adventure Cycling’s headquarters in friendly and beautiful Missoula, MT.

Duties and responsibilities

Serves as Adventure Cycling’s media point person: The Media Director will serve as the principal media contact and coordinator for Adventure Cycling, managing our internal media team and acting as lead writer and editor of the majority of news releases, polishing and approving all final releases and media communications. The Media Director must have substantial experience (and enjoyment) working with writers and editors in print and electronic media.

Leads in providing creative content: The Media Director will be the lead creative writer and editor for the organization on electronic and media content. S/he should have or develop a strong understanding of – and passion for – bicycling and bike travel and be able to communicate that through media releases, articles on the web and for external print placement, and in special projects, such as our annual tours catalogue. Further, the Media Director will be a creative leader in developing messages and story ideas for the Adventure Cycling website and media releases and media outreach. S/he will be bursting with creative ideas (and hungry for opportunities) to promote and explain Adventure Cycling’s program work and services.

Oversees and develops web content: The Media Director will work with our Webmaster to maintain and develop our website’s information and look.

Assists with special projects: S/he will assist with the writing, editing and formatting of special projects, such as our Annual Report and Tours Catalogue.

Tracks the zeitgeist (spirit of the times): The Media Director will act as a pulse-reader and zeitgeist monitor of what’s going on in bicycling, bike travel and outdoor recreation. In a new web-driven communications world, the Media Director will help Adventure Cycling track what is going on in these fields (and any other s/he finds useful) so that we can utilize and adapt to trends and more effectively promote bicycle travel.
Supervises professional staff and works with Adventure Cycling contractors. The Media Director will supervise our part-time Field Editor and periodically will manage contractors who work on photography, videography, writing or other content development pertinent to our media efforrs.

Manages Media Department budget: S/he will develop and manage the Media Department budget, in concert with the Chief Operations Officer and in consultation with the Publications and Marketing directors, especially on expense items that can be shared (such as photo purchases).

Works with other departments and teams: The Media Director will represent the Media Department at weekly leadership meetings and will work closely with other collaborative teams and key departments in meeting their media needs. S/he will work in close concert with the Publications and Marketing Directors, who also have major external communication responsibilities. The Media Director reports to the Executive Director.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Outstanding interpersonal skills — a real go-to person who generates confidence and enthusiasm in the staff and volunteers who are working with him/her. Very strong writer, editor and verbal communicator, able to connect with a wide variety of audiences in many formats. Strong visual sense. Would also be helpful, but not essential, if candidate has a background in photography and/or video. Solid computer skills, especially word processing and ability to use databases. Excellent team player, who enjoys working with others for great outcomes. Experienced working with media, especially writers, editors, and producers. Good grasp of the Web and all its potential, including blogs and video streaming. Enthusiastic about the outdoors, recreation and especially bicycling. Well-organized and able/happy to meet deadlines.

Education and experience

Preferably, minimum of Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university. Ideally, leading candidates will have at least nine years of professional experience, working in similar media, public affairs and communications positions. Special note will be made of candidates’ experience working with mission-driven non-profit organizations, although candidates whose experience is with for-profit firms should not be discouraged from applying (if they have a strong media and electronic communications background). Of course, attention will be paid to candidates’ bicycling experience and their ability to bring humor and good spirits to the job and the workplace.

Compensation and workplace

The position will be competitively compensated in the Northern Rockies region. Benefits include paid time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, an additional fully-paid one week bike vacation, full medical and dental coverage, life insurance, and retirement plan. We have a wonderful office in downtown Missoula, with a friendly and committed staff. Adventure Cycling Association is an equal opportunity employer.

(If you do apply for this position, please tell them that you saw it on MATR.net Thank you)

Application

Please submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible to Adventure Cycling, c/o Sheila Snyder, Chief Operations Officer, P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT 59807. You can also submit your application electronically to [email protected].

Application deadline: The position is open until filled. We will start reviewing applications and arranging for interviews on October 16, 2007.

About Adventure Cycling Association

Adventure Cycling’s mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. We help cyclists explore the landscapes and history of America for fitness, fun and self-discovery. Adventure Cycling was founded in 1974 and is the largest bicycling membership organization in North America. Our work includes producing the best bicycling maps in America, publishing Adventure Cyclist (one of the top recreational bicycling magazines anywhere) and the Cyclists’ Yellow Pages, managing more than 40 bicycle tours and leadership trainings, and promoting more bike facilities through advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. For more information, go to http://www.adventurecycling.org.