Senior Editor, News and Content

Department

COMM News Office: Editorial

About The Department

University Communications focuses on building the brand, enhancing the reputation, and growing public understanding of the University of Chicago, where rigorous inquiry shapes fields, creates a transformative education and experience, and confronts the most important problems of our time. The communications team specializes in content creation, media relations, public affairs, brand strategy, and video and audio production for the University, while serving as a communication partner and center of excellence across UChicago.

Job Summary

The Senior Editor of News and Content will serve as an editor, writer, strategic thinker, and collaborator on the News and Content team. Their work will help tell the story of UChicago’s unique intellectual community and groundbreaking research while advancing the ambitious goals of University Communications to grow our global audience’s engagement with dynamic content on the University’s digital channels.

This person will oversee all written content for UChicago News and its various distribution channels, including social media and newsletters, and will collaborate on video and other digital projects. The Senior Editor will help lead the development and planning of strategic content, in collaboration with partners within University Communications and units across campus. This position reports to the Senior Director of News and Content. The role is based on UChicago’s Hyde Park campus and has the option to work remotely two days a week.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Senior Director, News and Content to shape the overall strategic content plan, helping guide new series and formats while planning and executing coverage of important University events, awards and initiatives.
• Serves as lead editor for content from University news writers and campus partners, ensuring it drives University strategic messages while developing stories that grow engagement across the University’s digital channels.
• Leads the strategy and production for the twice-weekly UChicago e-newsletter, including writing and selecting content while experimenting with tactics to grow readership and increase audience engagement.
• Serves as lead editor for social media content, collaborating with our social media team to develop dynamic content that highlights the University’s unique campus community while increasing engagement on the University’s social channels.
• Leads monthly brainstorming sessions within University Communications to create unique content and stories highlighting the UChicago community. Works with team to leverage innovative platforms to increase audience engagement.
• Leads regular content meetings with campus partners in communications, developing opportunities to highlight impactful UChicago research, high-profile University events, and initiatives.
• Oversees coordination and execution of written and multimedia content for important University events and awards, including Convocation.
• Collaborates on multimedia projects with University Communications, UChicago Creative and other partners.
• Leverages analytics tools and innovative technology to maximize our team’s work and increase engagement with our audiences.
• Ensures strong alignment between the news writers and media relations team on the development of content that may be of media interest, including faculty Q&As.
• Designs and maintains editing schedules and manages the proofreading, review, and correction of page proofs and additional proof stages.
• Works directly with writers, editors, and others involved in projects. Ensures the quality of editorial work of others and advises them on the prioritization of assignments. Guides the staff in setting procedures and editing styles and in resolving any other issues that may arise.
• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Education

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

• Background in communications, marketing, journalism, or public relations.
• Extensive knowledge of news writing and digital content.
• Working as a writer and/or editor highly preferred.
• Working with social media, multimedia, and digital publishing highly preferred.
• Familiarity with issues in higher education.
• Familiarity with analytics and new digital technologies a plus.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Strong collaborative skills, working within teams and across different areas of an organization/institution.
• Passion for new ideas and fostering creativity among teams.
• Strong leadership skills and think strategically about projects, large and small.
• Strong verbal and communication skills.
• Work with a high degree of initiative, organization, and attention to detail.
• Work on tight deadlines as well as long-term projects.
• Explain complex ideas and materials to a general audience.
• Maintain confidentiality.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Work Sample (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.