Magazine and Membership Coordinator, McDonald Observatory

University of Texas at Austin

6d • $45,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy promote excellence in research and education within the Astronomy Program. As one of the top-ranked astronomy programs nationwide, we lead innovative research in cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution, stellar development and star formation, exoplanetary systems, the Solar System, and instrumentation. We are also a key founding partner in the next-generation Giant Magellan Telescope. The Magazine and Membership Coordinator will manage StarDate magazine subscriptions and support Friends membership activities that advance the education and public outreach mission of McDonald Observatory and The University of Texas at Austin. The successful candidate will have a strong customer service focus, be a self-starter who can work independently and as part of a team to meet shared and individual goals, and have demonstrated the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of experience coordinating or administering a program.
• Strong computer skills using a personal computer, spreadsheet, database, and word processing.
• Excellent written and oral communications and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform customer service skills.
• Ability to work as a team member, independently, and with overlapping projects.
• Position competencies include accuracy and attention to detail, decision-making and critical thinking, effective communication, initiative, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and service excellence.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with FileMaker Pro.
• Experience working in a magazine and print publication, membership relations field, or annual giving.
• Amateur astronomy interest and knowledge of the night sky.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate StarDate magazine subscription processing and distribution.
• Process magazine orders received via stardate.org, mail, and phone.
• Maintain subscriber records and generate reports to support circulation and business operations.
• Print and distribute renewal letters, and coordinate annual sales letters and gift subscription mailings.
• Coordinate StarDate magazine marketing and production.
• Solicit bids and secure printing contracts.
• Develop and expand distribution channels, including identifying new outlets for magazine sales.
• Maintain inventory and coordinate special deliveries to campus and observatory partners.
• Prepare circulation, renewal, and new subscriber reports as needed.
• Support membership and fundraising activities.
• Review and enter gift data; verify entries for accuracy; and retrieve information as requested.
• Maintain and update donor records.
• Prepare thank-you letters and draft routine donor correspondence.
• Support donor and member recognition, stewardship, and acquisition campaigns.
• Answer calls to the StarDate and Friends phone lines and respond to general inquiries via email.
• Provide accurate, timely information on subscriptions, memberships, and policies.
• Resolve customer concerns by consulting order, subscription, and membership records.
• Route inquiries as needed and ensure clear, professional communication.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to support program goals.
• Assist with outreach and represent StarDate and McDonald Observatory at community events as needed.
• Help produce educational print materials and contribute to magazine content, advertising, and related communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support business operations.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)
• Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)
• Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax-sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level