Job Details

General Statement of Job

The Content Writing and Editing Coordinator contributes to the University's marketing and communication efforts by researching, writing, editing, and disseminating compelling stories that highlight the achievements and impact of the University's students, employees, programs, alumni, and donors. This position is responsible for producing quality content for the University's various platforms, including alumni publications, marketing materials, and the University's websites and social media. This position also serves in an editing capacity for various recruitment and alumni publications. The production of speeches, written columns, and other materials for members of administration is also included in this role.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

Works as a synergistic member of University Relations and Marketing, generating content proposals, interviewing subjects, and writing stories.

Leads large, multifaceted communication pieces including Crossroads Magazine, and Crossroads Online to determine optimal content, ensure deadlines are met, and serve in a writer and editor capacity.

Collaborates with the Director of Marketing and the Web Design Coordinator to evaluate website, blog, and SEO strategy needs; develops optimized content for these platforms. Additionally, partners on social media initiatives by creating engaging posts, LinkedIn articles, YouTube video descriptions, and other written content tailored for diverse social channels. Supports institutional podcast efforts through script writing and content planning to ensure cohesive messaging across all media.

Collaborates with the other members of URM to provide ideas for marketing content, including commercials and online video pieces, as well as broader marketing campaigns.

Assists URM with special projects and event tasks as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field is required. A master's degree is preferred.

Minimum of three years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires excellent written communication skills, a knowledge of MLA and APA styles, and excellent editing skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex, large-scale projects such as the 50+ page Crossroads Magazine from concept to completion.
• Requires strong verbal communication skills and the ability to initiate conversations, research story ideas, conduct interviews, be a thorough note-taker, be open to feedback from a variety of individuals invested in stories, and meet deadlines.
• Requires the ability to capture the social media and online "voice" effectively and adapt to different writing styles for different communication tools.
• Strong project management and prioritization abilities, capable of handling multiple assignments simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Requires the ability to recognize a potential story or newsworthy topic, and to recommend ideas for accompanying photography and/or videography.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Requires the ability to use computers for writing, emailing, archiving, researching, etc.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel including the use of a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear including the use of a telephone. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.