The National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) is seeking an experienced, highly motivated individual to develop and manage a multi-faceted program for establishing and maintaining strong communication between itself and its multiple stakeholders.

NISS is an independent institute dedicated to strengthening and serving the national statistics community, most notably by actively engaging and catalyzing community members’ participation in applied research driven by challenges facing government and industry. NISS wants to communicate its character, activities and accomplishments, as well as opportunities for engagement, to current and potential clients, to its affiliates—more than 50 leading statistical organizations spanning government, industry and academia, and to the national statistical sciences community.

The director of communications will report to the director of NISS, and will be responsible for designing, implementing and managing a comprehensive communications plan that tells the NISS story compellingly and effectively. The individual must have demonstrated ability to communicate technical material to diverse audiences. Experience working with or in a relatively small but highly interconnected organization is desirable. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills are essential.

A secondary but equally important component of the position is to perform similar functions for the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI). SAMSI (see www.samsi.info), a partnership activity of NISS, Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is an institute co-located with NISS whose vision is to forge a new synthesis of the statistical sciences and applied mathematical sciences with disciplinary science to confront important data- and model-driven scientific challenges. NISS and SAMSI share a very strong, complementary relationship.

Qualifications for the position include a bachelor’s degree and at least two years’ experience in a similar position. Background in statistics or mathematics is desirable. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume and names of three references whom NISS has permission to contact, to Communications Search at the address above, or electronically to commdir2008@niss.org.

NISS provides a full range of benefits including health insurance, flexible spending accounts and a 401(k) pension plan. NISS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and welcomes applicants from women and under-represented groups.

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