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SalaryAre you deeply familiar with the faith formation experiences offered by ELCA congregations—Sunday school, youth group, intergenerational gatherings, and especially confirmation?
Do you know your way around faith-based curriculum—choosing it, implementing it, tweaking it, maybe even writing it?
Have you successfully managed projects (ministry-related or otherwise) with multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and deliverables?
Would you thrive as part of a team that is collaborative, passionate, and flexible in its dynamic development of resources that enhance congregational life in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and beyond?
The Resource Developer position on the Congregational Team at 1517 Media may be just the job for you.
1517 Media is a multimedia company composed of five vital, creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books and Broadleaf Books. We create resources for spiritual growth and development, for Christian worship and faith formation, and for academic study and professional development. 1517 Media strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply, including members of groups historically underrepresented in publishing (which is - according to industry research – a traditionally white, straight, cisgender, and nondisabled field).
Two imprints form the Congregational Team at 1517 Media: Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse. Both imprints develop innovative resources for worship and music, faith formation, devotional life, and Bible study to support the ministries of faith communities in communicating the good news of God’s liberating grace.
The Resource Developer contributes significantly to the Sparkhouse imprint of the Congregational Resources team and will focus the first two years of their work on the development and production of a new confirmation curriculum for ELCA congregations. They will also develop resources for both imprints for use in faith formation settings in the ELCA and other mainline congregations, including Sunday school, intergenerational events, and resources that will support the Unbridled Presence program made possible by external grant funding.
The Resource Developer holds these responsibilities and duties:
1. Creates work that is consistent with and contributes to the overall vision and strategic direction of the 1517 Media Congregational Resources team through engagement with target audiences, familiarity with education and spiritual formation best practices, and demonstrated understanding of different denominations making up the mainline Protestant demographic. The successful candidate will demonstrate deep knowledge of ELCA confirmation curriculum, practices, and unmet needs.
2. Works with Director of Congregational Development and Marketing and other Resource Developers on the product development team. The Resource Developer takes initiative on problem solving, understands the vision and scale of projects, and maintains an understanding of interdepartmental relationships related to projects.
3. Maintains editorial relationships with several external contributors, including curriculum writers, illustrators, curriculum reviewers, creative consultants, and theologians. The Resource Developer makes specific, focused efforts to recruit this talent from underrepresented demographic groups. This work with external collaborators includes:
a. providing project information for contracts to be issued
b. creating detailed project briefings
c. communicating expectations and deadlines to all contributors
d. evaluating incoming work and offering constructive feedback
e. ensuring all work meets the editorial and theological quality standards of the Congregational team
4. Edits manuscripts at all stages of development for tone, grammar, mechanics, theological soundness, age-appropriate language and imagery, and quality. Incorporates reviewer feedback, copy editor, and proofreaders notes at the appropriate stages. Meets all editorial deadlines on a consistent basis. May outsource some manuscripts to external development editors and manage their work.
5. Works with the Design team in coordination with Project Management. Creates design briefings, tracks deliverables, provides feedback at all routing stages, and ensures design is in line with product specifications.
6. Maintains frequent, action-based communication with the following departments throughout the development process: Marketing, Design, Purchasing, Project Management, and Content Management.
7. Contributes to the creation of annual project budgets and provides primary oversight of product development budgets they manage.
8. Travels to at least two events annually to staff the booth where 1517 Media resources are sold.
9. Completes other duties as assigned by the Director of Congregational Development and Marketing.
Desired education and experience:
· Degree in Journalism, English, Theology, Education, or other related field with at least 3 years of editorial or writing experience. In lieu of these formal degrees, theological education and/or congregational ministry experience with significant writing/editorial experience.
· Demonstrated history of working with an editorial calendar, coordinating with external contributors, and working with graphic designers to create exceptional content.
· Stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in curriculum development, collaborator recruitment, and other facets of work within the Church.
Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:
· Proven understanding of the ELCA and other mainline Protestant denominations and their structures, theology, and history.
· Ability to edit manuscripts for style, voice, usability, age-appropriateness, and theological quality. Familiarity with CMOS style is helpful.
· Ability to work on multiple projects with many moving parts with consistency and dependability.
· Understanding of editorial and project management tools such as Office365 and Teamwork.
· Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative team in moving a project from conception to publication on time and within budget.
· Ability to communicate with precision in written and verbal forms.
We know the pandemic has changed the ways that congregations design and deliver faith formation experiences for kids, youth, and families. We are looking ahead to what’s next as we develop a new collection of innovative faith formation resources through design thinking, innovation, and collaboration. Our team is small, nimble, and tuned into the changes and opportunities in the 21st Century religious landscape.
This position is available for remote employees living and working outside of the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. For those who live in the Twin Cities area, this would be a hybrid position with time spent working a few days remotely and a couple of days in our Minneapolis office each week. 1517 Media takes seriously the onboarding of remote employees to ensure they have the tools and colleague relationships needed to be successful in their work.
Occasional travel is required to events and to the 1517 Media office in Minneapolis.
This position will begin on or after July 1, 2024.
Please include your resume, cover letter, and references with your application. Apply using the specified link: https://bit.ly/44P56W0
1517 Media offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including vacation for new employees, sick time, health, retirement, a pre-tax transportation program, paid parental leave and no-cost gym access in the building. You will join a collaborative and creative Hybrid Work environment, with a talented group of 80 individuals who have a passion for their work. The corporate headquarters is located in the North Loop, Minneapolis with adjacent access to Light Rail and Metro Transit bus lines.
