About Long Now Labs

Long Now Labs is a collaborative space designed to test, prototype, and build long-term tools. As Series 001: Protocols For the Long Now scales, Long Now is engaging external support services to manage the operational, administrative, and editorial deliverables associated with these long-term projects.

Project Engagement Overview

Long Now seeks a Contractor to support Long Now Labs Series 001: Protocols for the Long Now. You will work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships on our awards programs, public project launches, and stakeholder logistics with Lab Leads, advisors, and review panelists. The Contractor will manage project workflows, applicant processing pipelines, and editorial deliverables to ensure the successful completion of Series 001 milestones.

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor / Consultant

Contract Term: 18 months, starting October 02026 - Spring 02028

Scope & Rate: Up to 15 hours per week at $4,000 per month

Primary Project Liaison: Director of Strategic Partnerships

Location & Eligibility: Must be based in the United States (with a preference for the Bay Area) and legally eligible to provide independent contractor/consulting services within the U.S. including providing a Form W-9 upon contract execution. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Labs Program & Pipeline Management

• Applicant Communications & Pipeline Oversight: Coordinate the review workflow for active Labs applicants (~375+ applications), serving as the primary point of contact for applicant inquiries, submission tracking, and review status updates.

• Data & Project Tracking: Maintain accurate project trackers, budget logs, vendor/contributor databases, and administrative documentation supporting Labs Series 001 activities.

• Awardee Onboarding Logistics: Serve as the primary liaison for awardee onboarding, ensuring all review panelists and project awardees complete required documentation and submitting payment requests according to agreed disbursement schedules.

• Events & Meetings: Coordinate administrative and operational logistics for scheduled virtual and in-person Labs Salons and program meetings in coordination with our Programs Manager.

2. Editorial Support

• Book of Time Production (Target Launch: March 02027): Coordinate the editorial and production pipeline for 25–30 contributors (essays and artwork). Serve as the administrative liaison with the external design vendor to maintain production schedules and ensure milestone deliverables are met.

• Interspecies Protocols Theme Launch (Target Launch: January 02027): Provide logistical and administrative support for the launch and initial program phase. If structured as an open call, manage Google Forms data intake, coordinate website content updates with the digital team, and prepare program materials for distribution.

• Epistemic Cycles Awardee Logistics: Provide administrative support for program awardees, including tracking required project deliverables, coordinating awardee correspondence, and processing research stipend disbursements and expense reimbursements.

3. Ideas Pieces & Editorial Integration

• Publishing Schedule Coordination: Maintain and track the publishing schedule for Labs-related content on longnow.org to support a consistent release of insights from active projects.

• Contributor & Essay Workflow: Coordinate with selected high-potential Labs applicants to solicit and track essay contributions, facilitating the editing and review workflow in collaboration with the Editorial team.

• Speaker Briefings & Content Materials: Draft background briefs and logistical summary documents for scheduled Labs speakers, assisting the Communications and Editorial leads with designated publication materials as outlined for Series 001.

Deliverables & Target Timeline

The Contractor will provide administrative, logistical, and editorial coordination to achieve the following key project milestones for Long Now Labs Series 001:  

• Lab Deliverable Tracking (Ongoing: Oct 02026 – Spring 02028): Track and verify awardee and Lab Lead deliverables (prototypes, workshops, Talks, Salons, Ideas pieces) per funding agreements.

• Editorial & Event Deliverables (Ongoing: Oct 02026 – Spring 02028): Maintain longnow.org publishing schedule, coordinate applicant essay submissions, and produce speaker briefs for scheduled Salons. 

• Lab 001.3 Theme Launch (early 02027): Manage data intake, platform updates, communication logistics, and program prep materials for the 001.3 theme launch.  

• Book of Time Anthology Launch (March 02027): Finalize editorial pipeline (25–30 contributors) and coordinate design vendor deliverables for the digital and print launch.

Qualifications

• Operational Excellence: Proven experience managing complex workflows, project trackers, and digital documentation systems.

• Editorial Sensibility: Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to manage a large roster of diverse contributors and ensure brand consistency.

• Self-Directed: Comfortable working in a small, highly collaborative team environment where tasks range from high-level coordination to granular data management.

• Technical Proficiency: Fluency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms) and basic website CMS maintenance.

Please use this form to apply