Job Description: Audience Engagement Specialist

Job Title: Audience Engagement Specialist
Location: Chicago; Mostly remote, but attendance at occasional meetings and events is required
Reports to: Executive Director
Employment Type: Part-time, Approx. 15-hours per week
Compensation: $35-40/hour, commensurate with experience

About The Investigative Project on Race and Equity

We're a mission driven nonprofit newsroom known for data-driven investigative journalism that informs crucial conversations about race and equity. Our work exposes systemic racism by uncovering discriminatory practices and shining a light on abuses of power that drive racial and economic disparities. Through data and deep-dive investigations, we tell stories that inform people about social issues — and we build and analyze databases to bring systemic injustice into focus.

About the Role

We’re looking for a creative, analytical and community-minded Audience Engagement Specialist to expand the reach and impact of our reporting. You’ll be the bridge between our newsroom and the communities we serve — crafting strategies to grow our audience, deepen engagement and build trust across digital platforms. This role combines digital savvy with a deep understanding of racial equity and the power of journalism to shift narratives and policies. We’re looking for someone brimming with ideas on how we can level up our newsroom’s website, newsletter, social media accounts and more. We’re eager to offer an opportunity for people to run with their ideas. No idea is too big or too small.

A typical week for the person in this role could include creating graphics for our social media accounts and newsletter, brainstorming with the reporting team about audience engagement ideas for upcoming stories, identifying content for our LinkedIn newsletter and analyzing related metrics. 

Key Responsibilities

• Grow and Engage Audiences: Develop and execute multi-platform audience strategies (email, social, web, events) to expand reach and deepen relationships with our readers.
• Content Promotion: Partner with the editorial team to promote investigations, explainers and multimedia content in compelling, community-focused ways. (For example, “Five Tips to Master FOIA”)
• Community Building: Build authentic connections with readers through comments, DMs and in-person and virtual events.

You Might Be a Good Fit If You…

• Have 2-5 years of experience in digital journalism, social media strategy, community engagement or related roles.
• Are passionate about racial equity,  justice and the power of investigative journalism.
• Have successfully produced short videos for personal or professional social platforms.
• Write clean, compelling copy and can tailor messaging to diverse audiences across platforms.
• Are fluent in tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, social media dashboards, email marketing platforms and content management systems.
• Are a strategic thinker and are able to move from big ideas to a detailed execution.
• Are skilled at meeting deadlines and working efficiently and cooperatively with a diverse group of peers.
• BONUS POINTS! If you are familiar with SEO, paid social strategy or newsletter growth hacking.

To Apply:

Send your resume, a cover letter and examples of past engagement work (this could include social campaigns, newsletters, etc) to info@raceandequityproject.org.