Newsletter Manager

About The Kyiv Independent

The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine’s main English-language news outlet, founded in November 2021 by a team of journalists dedicated to editorial independence. Today, we are a team of over 90 people based primarily in Kyiv. As Ukraine’s global voice, we provide a crucial window into the realities on the ground.

The Role

We are looking for a data-driven and product-minded Newsletter Manager to join our marketing team and work closely with our current Digital Marketing Manager. This role is the bridge between our journalism and our growing audience.

While our editorial team will create the content, you will help treat our newsletters as a core digital product. Working with our existing team, you will focus on the reader experience, optimize performance through A/B testing, and build the strategy that allows our newsletters to scale. You will take full operational ownership of the daily production pipeline, managing the end-to-end execution, staging, quality assurance, and final delivery of our newsletter portfolio. You will work at the intersection of Editorial and Marketing to ensure our newsletters are a high-performing channel for both engagement and conversion.

(Note: You do not need to be a developer for this role! We are looking for a product-focused marketer. To handle the technical side, you will have the support of our current manager and AI troubleshooting tools).

Key Responsibilities

Daily Production & Delivery:

Daily Execution: Own the daily staging, scheduling, quality assurance checks, and final sending of newsletters within Mailchimp, ensuring they are delivered accurately and seamlessly.
Process Decoupling: Work closely with the Editorial team to manage a streamlined handoff process, taking over the operational delivery once editorial copy is approved.

Newsletter Management & Collaboration:

Product Collaboration: Work alongside our current Digital Marketing Manager to treat our newsletter portfolio as a standalone digital product. Jointly evaluate reader feedback, engagement metrics, and formatting to improve value.
Template & Platform Management: Share the responsibility of managing our templates in Mailchimp. You will handle minor formatting and troubleshooting (using AI and external developers to assist with HTML/CSS fixes).
Workflow Automation: Help develop and manage automated email sequences (welcome series, re-engagement campaigns) to improve efficiency and the subscriber journey.
Cross-Departmental Coordination: Act as a point of contact for seamlessly integrating internal banners, promotions, and membership appeals into newsletter layouts without disrupting the user experience.

Growth & Optimization:

A/B Testing: Design and execute rigorous testing schedules for subject lines, send times, layouts, and CTAs to maximize open rates and click-throughs.
Subscriber Acquisition: Partner closely with Paid Marketing to optimize the funnel for new subscribers coming from paid channels.
Signup Strategy: Proactively identify and implement new ways to grow our subscriber base, including on-site widgets, lead magnets, and offline events.

Analysis & Reporting:

Performance Tracking: Monitor and report on key metrics (Open Rate, CTR, Unsubscribe Rate, and Conversion) to stakeholders across the company.
Data-Driven Insights: Translate data into actionable recommendations for the editorial team to understand which content resonates most with our audience.

Candidate Requirements

Experience & Background:

Email Marketing / Product: 1+ years of experience managing email marketing, newsletters, or digital products, preferably with a focus on large subscriber bases.
Tool Proficiency: Basic knowledge of Mailchimp or similar email platforms.
Tech-Friendly Mindset: No coding required, but you should have a willingness to use AI tools or collaborate with developers to fix minor HTML/CSS formatting issues.

Skills and Knowledge:

Operational Discipline: Comfortable managing a daily, deadline-driven production environment with a sharp eye for detail before hitting 'send'.
Analytical Mindset: Comfortable working with data and using A/B testing frameworks to drive incremental gains.
Team Player: Strong ability to co-manage projects, split responsibilities effectively, and communicate closely with your counterpart.
English Proficiency: As an English-language outlet, high-level professional English is required for internal coordination and quality control.

Personal Attributes:

Proactive Problem-Solver: You don't just follow a process; you look for ways to automate, optimize, and improve it alongside the team.
Collaborative Spirit: You enjoy working with diverse teams, including journalists, commercial teams, and data analysts.
Mission-Driven: A genuine interest in the mission of the Kyiv Independent and the importance of independent journalism in Ukraine.

What We Offer

A full-time position in a fast-growing, internationally recognized media startup.
A competitive Ukrainian market salary and benefits package.
The opportunity to shape the product strategy for one of the most influential English-language news sources in the region.
A dynamic, international work environment.
Medical insurance is provided for employees based in Ukraine.