The MIT Digital Currency Initiative, is seeking a Communications Coordinator to focus on DCI communications, external relations, and editing of our Cryptoeconomic Systems journal.

The MIT Digital Currency Initiative is comprised of researchers and developers building digital currency, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology software. Our mission is to empower people by making it as easy to move value as it is to move information.

Communications (34%) 

Newsletter coordination:

• Plan content schedule for newsletter, and solicit work updates from DCI team members;
• Monitor press and media for updates to the newsletter, communicating these changes to the DCI Director as needed;
• Write & compile content for newsletter, utilizing DCI team members’ knowledge and insight. Solicit feedback and approval for written content from DCI director and researchers;
• Maintain contact list database and input data/content into MailChimp, monitor response from recipients of newsletter.

Social Media Management:

• Maintain, monitor, and optimize social media platforms such as DCI’s Twitter and Facebook
• Create original, digital content for social media platforms.
• Ensure any DCI social media updates are shared with Director and DCI team members in a timely manner

 Website Management:

• Ensure DCI website is up-to-date and accurate, providing suggestions on layout and design as needed;
• Serve as DCI point person for website questions and needs, internal or external.

Other Written Communications:

• Support DCI team members deadlines for articles, opinion pieces, and papers;
• Serve as resource and provide feedback (line editing, copyediting, content editing) on written communications, as requested.

Communications Strategy & Management:

• Monitor digital currency ecosystem communications;
• Plan strategic communications to external DCI stakeholders;
• Draft, send, and monitor event-specific communications;
• Stay up-to-date on new and existing communications systems and tools to ensure the DCI maximizes time spent on external communication efforts; attend trainings and webinars on relevant systems and topics;
• Monitor and attend other relevant events that may inform DCI communications.

External  Relations (33%) 

Grant Writing: 

• Assess grant opportunities and communicate those to Director and DCI researchers;
• Manage grant applications, ensuring deadlines are met;
• Write supplementary materials for proposals, working closely with Director and researchers;
• Maintain database of up-to-date DCI boilerplate language for grants, track previous awards;
• Coordinate grant reporting.

Events Logistical Lead: 

• Coordinate with DCI team members the upcoming deadlines and milestones for events, providing high-level events logistical road mapping;
• Conduct event check-ins with DCI members involved in the event(s), ensuring deadlines are met;
• Maintain database of events reference documents;
• Lead remote event day-of logistics.

Press Request Project Management: 

• Field DCI press requests and respond as requested by DCI director;
• Coordinate with administrative assistant on scheduling for press meetings;
• Maintain project management document for reference;
• Send biweekly briefings to DCI press team (DCI + Media Lab) on press and communications requests.

Journal Editing (33%)

Cryptoeconomic Systems Journal 

• Edit and format accepted papers for the Journal;
• Solicit and edit blog posts from authors as needed;
• Support publications schedule, ensuring deadlines are met.

Supervision Received:

Reports to Director of Digital Currency Initiative

Supervision Exercised:

None

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• At least 1 year of professional experience in communications (writing and curating content for a public audience);
• Professional experience in grant writing, organizational fundraising, project management, and event coordination;
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital communications platforms and experience working across social media channels and web platforms (Mailchimp, PubPub, Google Suites, Twitter, LinkedIn);
• High-level proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
• Flexibility and an aptitude for handling a wide variety of duties;
• Ability to learn quickly and work with critical time demands;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Discretion, diplomacy, and superb judgment;
• Advanced computer skills including proficiency with Apple computers and Microsoft Office;
• Team player who is able to work effectively with a creative and diverse group of people;
• An accurate, detail-oriented, resourceful individual who is able to multitask with calm efficiency in an environment with competing priorities.

PREFERRED:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field
• Interest in Cryptocurrency and familiarity with the Digital Currency Initiative’s areas of research

This is a one-year appointment, at 75% effort, with the possibility of extension based on funding and the course of the research.