Wolzien News Deserts Initiatives Manager

About the role

The Wolzien News Deserts Initiatives Manager will organize efforts to address structural challenges facing Colorado’s news deserts, as well as serve as DU’s primary liaison to local news outlets statewide. This position will also coordinate DU’s outreach to high school journalists across Colorado. Additionally, the manager will support DU’s long-term enrollment strategy by positioning journalism and media studies as a pathway to civic leadership and media careers and strengthening DU’s reputation as a civic and journalistic anchor institution in Colorado.

This is a fully philanthropically supported position with guaranteed funding for six years. Continuation of the position beyond that is dependent on continued funding.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with news outlets to diagnose gaps and challenges in daily news coverage and help develop coordinating systems (i.e., assignment processes, beat structures, and community distribution strategies) that connect student talent to these essential but underserved information needs, with an emphasis on geographically dispersed communities.
• Lead DU’s outreach to high school journalists across Colorado in partnership with the Colorado Student Media Association and implement efficient, high-impact engagement strategies such as campus events, workshops, J-Day conference participation, summer or weekend programming.
• Coordinate journalism internships, applied projects, workforce development opportunities, and community engagement in collaboration with the department’s Director of Internships.
• Pursue grant opportunities for journalism initiatives in Colorado in conjunction with the Office of Sponsored Research and Projects and Department Chair.
• Aid in recruiting working professionals in the field who are using industry leading technology and techniques to serve as adjunct instructors to ensure DU students are career ready upon graduation.
• Design and implement the annual Wolzien Journalism Symposium of local and national journalists to discuss practical ways to advance the role of journalism in a democracy. This dynamic symposium will bring together scholars, industry professionals, and students to explore emerging trends in local journalism.
• Assist the Chair of MFJS with selecting the winner of the Wolzien News Desert Award.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in media, journalism, communication, or related field.

Four to six (4-6) years of experience in Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in media, journalism, communication, or related field.

Six plus (6+) years of experience in Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.

Skills and Abilities

• Deep connection to Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.
• National experience and an understanding of technical and conceptual issues facing the media industry and local outfits.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, colleagues, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong project and workflow management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines, maintain systems, and drive to result.
• Collaborative approach and collation building orientation.
• Willingness to learn new tools and systems quickly and to share knowledge with colleagues.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

Pay

$58,500

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Occasional night and evening hours may be required to support initiatives or programs. The position will be fully in-person for six months, after which time a hybrid schedule may be considered pursuant to the college’s flexible work policy.