Project Manager for Voting Access Project, Roy Howard Community Journalism Center

The University of Southern Mississippi•Hattiesburg, MS

8h•$15 - $15•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager coordinates the planning, implementation, and day-to-day activities of the Voting Access Project within the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center. The position manages project timelines, deliverables, partner coordination, documentation, data workflows, community engagement activities, and publication support. The Project Manager works with reporters, university partners, consultants, data providers, and other contributors to coordinate activities and monitor progress toward project goals. The role also supports grant reporting and project evaluation by tracking milestones, activities, deliverables, and outcomes.

Requirements

At least one year of experience with project and time management, including managing multiple assignments, deadlines, and project components simultaneously.
At least one year of experience working independently while collaborating with reporters, professional staff, university partners, consultants, and community stakeholders; organizing information; maintaining accurate project documentation; and tracking progress across multiple workstreams.
At least one year of experience working with spreadsheets, datasets, shared documents, and digital collaboration tools.
Knowledge of project coordination, planning, documentation, and tracking practices.
Knowledge of spreadsheet applications, data organization, and digital collaboration tools.
Ability to organize and maintain accurate project records, datasets, tracking systems, and supporting documentation.
Ability to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and trends in project data.
Ability to set priorities, manage multiple assignments and project components, and meet deadlines.
Ability to coordinate meetings, project activities, community events, and related logistics.
Ability to communicate project information, updates, action items, and next steps clearly and accurately.
Ability to identify project delays, gaps, and coordination needs and communicate concerns appropriately.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with reporters, professional staff, university partners, consultants, community members, and other contributors.
Ability to maintain accuracy and handle project data, records, and information responsibly.
Ability to learn and use project management, data, reporting, and digital tools necessary for assigned responsibilities.
Skill in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
Skill in problem-solving, organization, and time management.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience in project coordination, research, journalism, communications, public policy, political science, data analysis, community engagement, or a related field.
At least one year of experience working with spreadsheets, databases, data organization, or research datasets; coordinating meetings, events, research projects, or collaborative initiatives; and working on projects involving multiple organizations, departments, or external partners.
At least one year of experience with public records, research methods, data-informed reporting, election-related issues, journalism, civic information, elections, voting access, public policy, or community-centered research.

Responsibilities

Coordinate project activities, timelines, deliverables, publication schedules, milestones, and partner responsibilities.
Coordinate routine communications and activities with partner universities, collaborators, consultants, and other contributors, including meetings, interviews, partner check-ins, scheduling, and related logistics.
Maintain centralized project documentation and tracking systems, including public records requests, progress reports, shared files, meeting materials, datasets, project resources, and other required documentation.
Organize acquired polling-location data and related documentation, and work with the project reporter, third-party data provider, and methodology consultant to identify trends, changes, anomalies, and potential reporting opportunities.
Assist with preparing state- and county-level data resources for reporting, fact-checking, digital presentation, and other project needs.
Plan and coordinate community town halls and related outreach, including logistics, partner communication, programming, promotion, participant engagement, and other project-specific activities.
Coordinate with editorial, data, and digital contributors on publication and presentation activities, including story packaging, visual elements, digital components, and dissemination of major findings.
Support grant reporting and project evaluation by tracking activities, milestones, deliverables, community engagement, and outcomes.
Monitor progress, identify potential delays, gaps, or coordination needs, and communicate necessary follow-up to Roy Howard Community Journalism Center leadership.
Participate in project and editorial planning and represent the Center professionally at meetings, community events, partner activities, and other project-related assignments.
Perform other duties as assigned.