NAM Communications Associate

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine•Town of Johnstown, NY

6d•$56,410 - $70,510•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Associate, Digital and Design, reports to the Deputy Director of Communications and supports the daily execution of digital communications across the NAM Office of Communications, with a primary focus on website management and support. This role is ideal for a strong early-career digital generalist with demonstrated website experience who is eager to deepen that expertise while also contributing to email production, design support, and team operations. Website work will be the central focus of this position. In the first several months, the Communications Associate will work closely with the Deputy Director of Communications, our web vendor, and other team members to learn NAM’s website structure, workflows, standards, and priorities. Over time, this person will grow into serving as the team’s primary day-to-day point person for the website, helping ensure content is current, accurate, user-friendly, and aligned with communications goals. In addition to website responsibilities, this role will support email production, create basic visual assets, and provide administrative and operational support that helps the communications team run smoothly. This is an individual contributor role suited to someone who is organized, detail-oriented, digitally fluent, and excited to build practical expertise across core communications functions.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of website content management and digital publishing workflows.
Strong interest in serving as a primary support person and, over time, point person for website coordination.
Ability to learn new systems and processes quickly and apply them consistently.
Strong attention to detail, especially in proofreading, formatting, organization, and quality assurance.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities while maintaining accuracy and follow-through.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Comfort with administrative tasks and operational support, including reconciling receipts, organizing records, and managing routine office needs.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Digital Media, Journalism, Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
One year of related professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with email marketing or email distribution platforms and basic graphic design tools preferred.
Familiarity with digital accessibility, usability, and analytics principles preferred.
Two to three years of related professional experience in digital communications, website management, email production, design support, administrative coordination, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Website Management & Reporting: Reporting to the Deputy Director, serves as a primary support staff for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and improvement of the NAM website, which is the central focus of this role.
Build, update, and quality-check web pages in the content management system, ensuring accuracy, consistency, usability, and alignment with NAM standards.
Identify and address routine website issues, including broken links, outdated materials, formatting problems, and basic functionality concerns, and liaise with external web vendors on more complex technical issues or larger web needs.
Partner with communications staff and program teams to advise on how content and initiatives can be translated effectively to the web, with growing responsibility over time for recommending when a need calls for a web product and how it should be structured or presented on the site.
Monitor website performance and user experience, track basic metrics, and help identify opportunities to strengthen content, navigation, and overall site effectiveness.
Maintain practical documentation and guidance that support consistent web workflows and digital publishing practices.
Email Production & Digital Outreach: Maintain NAM’s email platform and related workflows, including templates, audience lists, and distribution practices.
Build, test, and send monthly NAM News, and support other team email sends as needed.
Troubleshoot platform and delivery issues, keep newsletter design templates current, and ensure quality control across devices and platforms.
Track NAM News performance and share findings to help improve strategy and distribution.
Graphic Design & Visual Support: Support the development of basic digital design assets for communications needs, including web graphics, email headers, slide elements, event promotions, flyers, and other light collateral.
Resize, edit, and optimize images and graphics for web and email use.
Work within NAM brand standards to maintain visual consistency across channels and support communications officers with polished, audience-friendly materials.
Administrative, Operations & Team Support: Support the day-to-day administrative and operational needs of the Office of Communications, including recordkeeping, file organization, trackers, receipt reconciliation, and ordering supplies and materials.
Provide flexible support for team projects and departmental needs as they arise, including on-the-ground assistance for events like the NAM Annual Meeting in October and other communications activities.