Managing Editor, Communications - University Communications and Marketing

The Managing Editor is responsible for overseeing the editorial activities of the communications team, working with content specialists to develop content and related campaigns. Main duties include managing a team of writers, editors, and other content producers, developing and editing content pieces to ensure they follow CMU’s tone and style guidelines, support strategic institutional messaging and objectives.

The Managing Editor will be responsible for ensuring content specialists and editors are meeting deadlines and tracking and developing content through the writing and publishing process, ensuring copy is factually accurate, appropriately socialized for review, and message-aligned. The person in this role will serve as an editor and mentor for writers/content specialists.

Reporting to the Director, Content Strategy, the Managing Editor also will work in close coordination with leadership across the CMU Marketing/Communications enterprise, as well as with colleagues more broadly to facilitate relevant content approval processes. The person in this position also works closely with marketing/creative team members to ensure that all relevant assets are planned, scheduled and delivered by deadline, ensuring that communications activities are carried out consistent with strategy to drive measurable results.

Your Core Responsibilities Include:

Act as the managing editor for owned story content, working with content specialists/writers to develop pieces and ensuring that content is factually accurate, on brand, and adheres to CMU/AP style and tone
Manage content production from writing to publishing, ensure deadlines are met Work closely with leaders across UCM, collaborate across the university with college, school and library communicators to ensure efficiency and alignment of messaging through owned storytelling
Engage in newsroom and campaign-style planning to ensure long-term success of message penetration
Creatively incorporate new approaches to storytelling to demonstrate integration of content across multiple channels, including writing for social media and collaborating with colleagues to develop multimedia assets; work with supervisors to provide guidance and support to writers and editors on writing quality, style, substance and messaging
Participate in content and communications planning meetings to champion messaging through coverage, positioning or reference to promote major initiatives and priorities, and coordinating selected projects as needed

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within the University Communications and Marketing division. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:

Strong technical writing and editing ability; excellent writing, editing and fact-checking skills
Ability to develop compelling, concise and clear material within tight deadlines and in line with applicable style guides
Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to work after hours and on weekends as needed and appropriate
Ability to make complex material easily digestible to a variety of audiences or for specialized, target audiences

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, business or other relevant field
Minimum of 5-7 years relevant experience
Science, research and technology writing experience and the familiarity with or experience working in higher education and/or research institutions
Strategic thinker with proven ability to execute storytelling content in line with institutional and brand objectives
Experience effectively handling multiple projects simultaneously and aligning with colleagues on priorities; adaptability and flexibility in direct responsibilities and collaborative work; ability to lead, mentor and develop writing staff
Familiarity with using a content management system (like Drupal, Cascade)

Requirements:

Successful background check

Additional Information:

Work Posture: This position is operating on a hybrid schedule, with an on-campus/in office presence 3 days a week.
Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits, available to all full-time Carnegie Mellon University employees. Experience the full spectrum of advantages, from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to enticing retirement savings programs. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, and take well-deserved breaks with generous paid time off and holidays. Rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance. For a comprehensive overview of the benefits awaiting you, explore: https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance.