Strong Towns is Hiring!
Have you ever wanted to work as part of the Strong Towns Team? If yes, this might be your chance. To begin 2020, we are seeking to fill three positions — one replacement and two new positions — on our team. Those positions are: Communications Associate (full time), Development Associate (full time) and Bookkeeper (hourly).
About Strong Towns
Strong Towns, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, is seeking a dynamic individuals to help us grow our movement. The mission of Strong Towns is to support a model of development that allows America’s cities, towns and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient. We have nearly 3,000 members worldwide, including at least one in each U.S. state. Our influential media site reached over 1.7 million people in 2019 and is shaping the national conversation on growth, development and the future of cities.
Our entire team collaborates digitally from locations around the country; there are no locational requirements for this position. We have periodic deadlines and occasional event-driven or calendar-driven demands, but generally keep a flexible schedule. We are an equal opportunity, family-friendly organization. Our work is rewarding and our organization is making a difference.
Our hiring process is unique, so please read all of the following. Do not contact us about these positions, or send us a resume, except as outlined in the following. Doing so will disqualify you from consideration. We strive to ensure that our process is as open as possible. We welcome all applicants, regardless of background and experience, and will judge you only on the skills you demonstrate during the application process. We will not even ask your name, let alone for your resume and background, until the very end. If you think one of these positions might be a good fit for you, we strongly encourage you to apply.
For our two full-time positions, we will conduct three rounds of discernment. During the first round, we will invite interested applicants to fill out a questionnaire. This should take no more than an hour. We will review each submission and then invite a select number of applicants to submit a second round questionnaire. This should also take no more than an hour. We will review each submission and then invite a select number of applicants to submit a resume and participate in a one-hour interview (by Zoom video). We then will make a formal job offer to one applicant for each position.
For the part-time Bookkeeper position, the process will be the same except we intend to conduct only one round of questions.
Here is the schedule we are anticipating for this process:
Bookkeeper
Q&A Webinar: Friday, January 17
Close Initial Applications: Sunday, January 26
Round 1 Questions Posted: Monday, January 27
Round 1 Questions Due: Friday, January 31
Interviews: Week of February 3
Communications & Development Associates
Q&A Webinar: Friday, January 17
Close Initial Applications: Sunday, January 26
Round 1 Questions Posted: Monday, January 27
Round 1 Questions Due: Friday, January 31
Round 2 Questions: Wednesday, February 5
Round 2 Due: Monday, February 10
Interviews: Week of February 17
To treat everyone fairly and with due consideration, and to achieve the best outcome in the most reasonable period of time, we are unfortunately not going to be able to adjust this schedule to accommodate special requests. We have tried to provide ample time for responses and will be very flexible (including evenings and weekends, if needed) during interview weeks.
For more information, and to apply for these positions, please see the information below.
Communications Associate (full time)
The position of Communications Associate includes, but is not limited to, the following:
The creation and distribution of routine emails to subscribers of the Strong Towns email lists.
Working with the Content Team to write and update content for ongoing email engagement campaigns.
The creation and distribution of micro-content, based on Strong Towns native web content, across social media platforms.
The editing and distribution of micro-content produced by the Content Team, based on non-native content sources.
Monitoring social engagement. Working with the Strong Towns Team to increase overall levels of engagement.
Monitoring ongoing marketing campaigns. Providing advice and insight on future marketing campaigns.
Utilizing data and analytics to refine strategies over time. Communicating strategies and results to others within the organization.
Scheduling communications around Strong Towns events and other related engagements.
Working with traditional and non-traditional media to expand the reach of the Strong Towns message.
Being the first point of content for media inquiries. Coordinating media interaction the Strong Towns Public Relations firm.
Periodically traveling, an estimated two to four times per year, for events, retreats and other engagements.
This is a full-time position that pays up to $40,000 per year. In addition, Strong Towns provides a defined contribution for health coverage and a matching contribution for retirement. You may download the entire description for the position here.
APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED
We will be holding a briefing, with a Q&A period, for anyone interested in this position on Friday, January 17 at 10:30 AM Central. Slots are limited. For those that cannot attend, the session will be recorded and the recording shared with all applicants. At the briefing, we will attempt to answer any questions submitted before that time. Questions submitted after the briefing will be answered via an all applicants email prior to the round 1 questionnaire.
Development Associate (full time)
The position of Development Associate includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Engage with members to increase membership retention rates, involvement with Strong Towns work, and giving levels over time.
Work with the Content Team to create, test, and implement strategies to increase membership.
Coordinate the organization’s strategy for summer and fall member drives.
Cultivate current recurring donors to increase giving amounts and giving for additional campaigns.
Coordinate membership meetups, major donor meetings, foundation meetings, and other stakeholder meetings, in conjunction with Strong Towns events.
Support development operations by entering membership, foundation, and donor data into the organization’s databases, maintaining contact records, creating accurate development reports, conducting donor research, and preparing call lists.
Assist in scheduling and planning for donor and foundation meetings. Ensure notes from donor and foundation meetings are recorded and follow ups are scheduled and completed.
Coordinate grant application schedules. Work with the Content Team to complete and submit grant applications.
Assist in the preparation of grant reports and ensure their timely submission.
Periodically travel, an estimated two to four times per year, for events, retreats and other engagements.
The Development Associate will work directly for the President/Executive Director, who will have ultimate responsibility for development efforts, budgets, and reporting to the Board of Directors. This is a full-time position that pays up to $40,000 per year. In addition, Strong Towns provides a defined contribution for health coverage and a matching contribution for retirement. You may download the entire description for the position here.
APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED
We will be holding a briefing, with a Q&A period, for anyone interested in this position on Friday, January 17 at 12:00 noon Central. Slots are limited. For those that cannot attend, the session will be recorded and the recording shared with all applicants. At the briefing, we will attempt to answer any questions submitted before that time. Questions submitted after the briefing will be answered via an all applicants email prior to the round 1 questionnaire.
Bookkeeper (hourly)
The position of Bookkeeper includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Prepare invoices for Strong Towns events and other billable transactions. Ensure their timely transmission to recipients.
Monitor and routinely report on receivables. Assist with collections, on the rare occasions when that is necessary.
Accurately record expenses. Ensure their timely payment.
Run payroll twice a month, accurately recording paid-time-off, expense reimbursements, and other compensation. Ensure the timely transmission of payroll reports and payments to taxing authorities.
Ensure accurate accounting of revenue from membership and donations.
Ensure accurate accounting of foundation revenue and related expenses. Prepare financial reports for foundation reporting.
Assist in the annual reporting of tax-deductible contributions to donors to assist in their tax preparation.
Prepare and transmit all 990’s and other tax-related documentation.
Assist in travel coordination and the tracking of event-related expenses.
Provide routine financial reporting to the Development Team, the President, and the Board of Directors. Assist the President in ongoing financial management.
Annually transmit accounting data to an accounting firm for the preparation of taxes.
This is a part-time, hourly position that pays up to $25 per hour. We estimate between 10 and 20 hours per week. Strong Towns provides paid time off for all part-time, hourly staff. You may download the entire description for this position here.
APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED
We will be holding a briefing, with a Q&A period, for anyone interested in this position on Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM Central. Slots are limited. For those that cannot attend, the session will be recorded and the recording shared with all applicants. At the briefing, we will attempt to answer any questions submitted before that time. Questions submitted after the briefing will be answered via an all applicants email prior to the round 1 questionnaire.