The Rita Allen Foundation is a venture philanthropy organization that enables early-career biomedical scholars to do pioneering research, seeds innovative approaches to fostering informed civic engagement, and develops knowledge and networks to build the effectiveness of the philanthropic sector. Over recent years we have built new investments, research and coalitions at the intersection of science and society. Our partners include pioneering scientists, emerging startups, renowned national organizations, and many of the largest foundations in the country. We seek to collaboratively support scientific and civic ecosystems where discovery can thrive.

We are seeking a versatile writer and editor to join our entrepreneurial, mission-driven organization. In addition to creating communications that advance our work every day, you will help map content strategies to engage high-priority audiences on emerging areas of exploration. Communications serves a central role throughout our work in advancing shared learning in our networks, celebrating excellence and ingenuity, and building collaborations that help our resources create greater impact.

What You’ll Do

Most Important:

• You will write and curate content to engage the Foundation’s growing network of scientists, social entrepreneurs and philanthropic leaders around stories and ideas of shared interest. Topics covered may include a Rita Allen Foundation Scholar’s pioneering research on the role of telomeres in cancer; new proposals for ways to reduce the influence of misinformation; or cross-sector efforts to strengthen the role of science in civic life.
• You will edit, update and oversee the Rita Allen Foundation’s website, newsletter, annual report and occasional publications, including posting stories and managing freelance writers and designers and our external web development team as needed.
• You will track news from our network and fields, curating and summarizing selections to help keep internal and external audiences abreast of relevant developments and underlying themes.
• You will help expand and strengthen the Foundation’s network, including assisting with communicating to the press and public and serving as a communications contact for many of the organizations we work with.
• You will contribute to researching and synthesizing topics related to the context of our work and potential future partnerships.

Who You Are

Most Important:

• You are a clear and compelling writer, able to tell a good story and address complex topics with crisp prose.
• You have excellent news sense. You can sift through incoming material from a number of networks and pull out what’s important to our constituents.
• You are an ace project manager, able to keep teams on deadline while making adjustments with agility when unexpected new opportunities arise.
• You pay meticulous attention to detail. Typos and inaccuracies don’t slip past you, and you love to smooth an awkward sentence.
• You are able to effectively engage diverse audiences, drawing on excellent overall cultural awareness. In particular, we value awareness of issues and communication styles in scientific and academic communities, journalism, the social sector, and underrepresented and underserved communities. 
• You are adept at working in collaboration with a diverse mix of people, advancing projects with enthusiasm for working in partnership with others.
• You are keenly interested in developments in biomedical science, civic engagement, philanthropy, and public engagement with science and evidence. A background that includes training in a scientific field is helpful but not necessary. We value demonstrated skill and potential more than any specific course of education or experience.  

Compensation

We offer a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, as well as a highly competitive suite of benefits including health, dental and life insurance, a defined-contribution retirement plan, and a generous paid-time-off program. This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week position based in our office in downtown Princeton, New Jersey. The position reports to Kate Belyi, Communications and Knowledge.

Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] and indicate “Communications Position” in the subject line. While we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled, apply by June 1 for priority consideration. We would like to have the selected candidate start in August or early September.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. The Rita Allen Foundation is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation or expression, gender, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic as established under law. All individuals are welcomed and encouraged to apply.