Description

The Editorial Director works as part of a collaborative team in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs (C&PA), whose charge is to develop strategic communications and tell engaging, authentic stories that sustain and enhance Washington and Lee University’s reputation, strengthen its community, and advance its mission. Reporting to the Senior Director of Constituent Communications, the Editorial Director serves as editor-in-chief of the university’s signature publications, copyedits all official university publications, and works with staff across the university to plan and execute communications in support of W&L’s strategic priorities. In consultation with the Senior Director of Content Strategy, the Editorial Director manages daily execution of the content strategy, including managing the editorial calendar, online news site, and leading regular content planning meetings.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

• Serves as editor-in-chief, developing signature university publications such as W&L: The Magazine, Discovery: The Newsletter from Washington and Lee University Law School, and a variety of annual reports, from conceptualization to production.
• Leads content meetings, including developing story ideas and editorial planning.
• Consults with the Senior Director of Content Strategy to assign stories to staff and freelance writers.
• Manages the news and feature content on the university’s news website, The Columns.
• Oversees the creation and distribution of designated alumni-facing electronic newsletters with an Advancement focus including monthly e-newsletters for alumni and parents.
• Supervises the Assistant University Editor and the Communications Researcher and Collections Coordinator and serves as a writing coach and mentor to other writers in the department.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Advancement Communications and the design and website teams to ensure brand and messaging consistency across all platforms of advancement communications.
• Manages publications budget.
• Writes alumni-related news articles, feature stories and profiles for the W&L magazine, website, capital campaign newsletters, and other university publications.
• Oversees proofreading operations for C&PA, copyedit stories written by staff and freelance writers, edit and proofread material designed and produced by the department.
• Maintains editorial style guide and conduct training for university community; serve as an editorial resource for other departments.
• Coordinates creation and distribution of obituaries for faculty, staff, retirees, and alumni of note.
• Additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and substantial experience in writing, editing and periodical development, preferably in higher education.
• Experience writing for, editing, and producing periodicals, as well as knowledge of current and emerging practices in advancement communications and in the writing and design of publications.
• Superior writing, editing, verbal, interpersonal, and management skills and a superb attention to detail. Excellent storytelling abilities and the capacity to frame W&L's current and evolving story in a clear and compelling way to W&L alumni.
• Aptitude for strategic thinking and the use of metrics in developing content strategy, assessing effectiveness, and achieving goals.
• The ability to collaborate with, and coordinate the work of, writers, editors, designers, photographers, and printers.

Work Schedule: The Office of Communications and Public Affairs offers a hybrid work schedule option with a combination of in-person and remote work.

Application Instructions: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please include a cover letter, resume and three writing samples (either uploaded with application materials or shared through a link). Attach documents in the Resume/CV document upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here.

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here.

Position Type:

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible