POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for transmitting and facilitating APA's voice primarily to internal audiences and to the field of psychiatry the membership, prospective members, and the District Branches and State Associations (DBs/SAs). Secondary audiences include the press, public, and patients. The Director and Executive Editor supervises the Psychiatric News staff; communicates APA's messages to members and the field; oversees the Psychiatric News network of properties; and serves as internal communications liaison to APA leadership, designated departments and divisions, and DBs/SAs. The position is accountable for contributing to internal communications strategies and materials and editing/proofing text. The position is also accountable for annual and project planning, Psychiatric News staff's professional development, vendor management, performance management, and budgeting.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Working with the Psychiatric News Editor in Chief (EIC) and the APA Chief of Communications, oversees the planning, development, and continued growth of all aspects of the Psychiatric News network of properties, including the print newspaper, alerts, e-newsletters, etc.
   • Maintains knowledge of the overall narrative on psychiatry, mental health, medicine, health policy, politics, and so forth to help best position APA internally and educate members on the full range of topics relevant to members.
   • Works with sources, external organizations, and experts to inform content decisions and uses judgment and metrics to cross-promote content to maximize readership.
   • Supervises and evaluates performance of Psychiatric News staff, makes story assignments, and oversees production of Psychiatric News' properties.
   • Assures the timely development and publication of content, while ensuring accuracy, readability, accessibility, and attractiveness.
   • Oversees and implements standards for writing, editing, and production across properties.
   • Works with Editor in Chief to reach out to APA members to write clinical & research articles and opinion pieces and shepherding them to completion.
   • Supervises the layout of print issues and online posting and works with creative director on any adjustments that are needed.
   • Reviews all advertising for APA publications and promotions related to Annual Meeting sponsored sessions to ensure compliance with APA's and FDA's advertising guidelines.
   • Oversees contractors and freelancers, ensuring deliverables are on time, of high quality, on budget, and within scope.
2. Participates in APA-wide centralized messaging strategy and tactics focused on members, prospective members, and DB/SAs.

• Participates in internal communications & marketing team meetings and promotes cross-functional collaboration.

COMPETENCIES

The Executive Editor's performance on these duties and responsibilities will be measured using the following competencies:

SCOPE & IMPACT

• Meets stringent deadlines for all products.
• Ability to evaluate layout designs and images to ensure they are consistent with APA's values.
• Works with APA administration to learn about news that APA members need to know or would be interested in knowing; this helps other departments achieve their goals and objectives.
• Heads the strategic planning for Psychiatric News products.
• Collaborates with marketing and advertising teams to ensure editorial and business needs are appropriately managed.

COMPLEXITY, PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION-MAKING

• Has significant latitude in high-level problem-solving/analysis and decision-making skills to ensure that all products possess high quality and that relationships with other staff and APA members are positive and productive.
• Exercises high-level judgment in terms of fiduciary duty to APA as well as acting in the best interests of members and patients.
• Consults with senior leadership for decisions involving major policy and budgetary issues.
• Responsible for developing departmental budget.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & AUTHORITY

• Works independently on day-to-day basis and reports to and confers with Chief of Communications and editor in chief on a regular basis.
• Maintains relationships that span all internal levels and with APA members and center on the ability to build trust to further long-term working relationships.
• Exhibits strong diplomatic skills to influence others, resolve problems, manage projects, and achieve appropriate solutions.
• Works with consultants, vendors, and other organizational partners.

ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• Possesses outstanding organizational knowledge of APA and its governance structure and knows how to achieve objectives within that structure.
• Knowledgeable about governmental, legal, regulatory, and other policies/issues of importance to APA.
• Understands and respects the culture of APA, which supports effective interaction with other staff and APA members.
• Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of Psychiatric News' departmental processes, relationships, and responsibilities as well as the department's interactions within the organization.

SUPERVISION

• Responsible for overall supervision of seven employees, two of whom (science writers) are directly supervised by the associate editor, and one of whom is directly supervised by the creative director.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of arts degree in journalism or communications is required with 15 years of individual or combined experience in journalism or communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of communications, journalism, and public affairs principles, standards, & best practices.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Supervisory and project management skills.
• Familiarity with such software as Word, Excel, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Knowledge of sciences related to psychiatry preferred.
• Work experience in nonprofit associations preferred.

EOE, including disability/vets

Salary-$109,300-$157,200