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Editorial Director

Job Details

Job Description
Department:
Communications
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:Office of Communications
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The editorial director is primarily responsible for identifying, overseeing, and producing written content for distribution across digital communications platforms designed to elevate the brand and reputation of the College. Reporting to the chief marketing and communications officer, this individual contributes to setting the vision, strategy, and long-term management of content as it relates to Colby’s integrated marketing and communications program.

Working closely with the director of digital strategy and the director of multimedia services, the editorial director will analyze the potential effectiveness of content (e.g. research, academic programs, etc.) to inform future strategies designed to elevate the brand and reputation of the College across multiple audiences. The successful candidate will have the responsibility of making critical decisions about content strategy and production, direct the assignment of coverage for digital stories, develop and prepare specific stories, and provide editorial decision making and editing for all content and articles.

The editorial director will direct the development of content by their reporting team, oversee the creation of authentic and accurate information through proper research, and provide guidance about how to write or produce digital material that will be compelling and appropriate for their intended audience. They oversee the distribution of this content through the platforms they work with (e.g. website, digital magazine, etc.), and they help ensure that their team meets production deadlines. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
  • Lead a team of writers to develop a steady stream of meaningful, engaging and understandable digital stories for the intended audiences and channels (e.g. website, social media, etc.)
  • Assign and edit content on a daily basis, manage the quality of content – from features to series – and identify stories highlighting the excellence, diversity, and impact of the people and programs that define the College
  • Maintain and share a breadth of knowledge about current news trends, emerging issues and opportunities in higher education that inform future comprehensive content and communications strategies, while being a data-savvy practitioner across digital platforms
  • Create, maintain, and execute coverage plans for stories while managing all deadlines for the content team
  • Establish and maintain an innovative and highly collaborative culture that promotes idea generation, open communication, respect for others, and excellence
  • Analyze and recommend research which may include audience analysis and survey development to constantly monitor and measure communication results and ensure that content goals are achieved
  • Contribute to the management of the division's portfolio of contractors, resources and technology platforms in support of the marketing and communications effort
  • Find new, strategic ways to reach audiences with helpful, compelling content while applying SEO to ensure that each article reaches the largest audience possible
  • Cover and prepare stories for distribution and provide editorial decision making to ensure compliance, accuracy, and timeliness
  • Build institutional knowledge and relationships to identify emerging trends and proactively generate story ideas ahead of public conversations
  • Work with leadership in the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, objectives, short-and long-range planning; develop and implement projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals
  • Work closely with faculty, administration and staff, students, and alumni to develop compelling, distinctive and relevant stories
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
QUALIFICATIONS :
  • Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in creating and managing content
  • Experience in executing a range of communications and/or marketing initiatives
  • Ability to use analytics to inform decisions; strong research and electronic communications skills, including interpretation of data and trends
  • Creative and strategic thought process with the drive to work independently as well as a track record of collaboration, innovation, and the ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community
  • Intellectual curiosity and relationship building skills to collect relevant and topical knowledge about trends, movements, and planning to help advance national and international traffic, translate concepts and data into digestible formats for a broad range of audiences, and capitalize on emerging opportunities
  • Excellent writing, editing, analytical, and strategy development skills including the ability to collect, review, synthesize, and present information across varied digital communications platforms
  • Top-tier organizational skills and ability to pivot quickly and efficiently to meet several deadlines
  • Ability to track article analytics frequently to guide and refine content strategies
  • Extraordinary degree of self-motivation, dedication, commitment, and energy
  • Excellent time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Efficient in juggling multiple stories, extremely comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and independently, and be a prolific idea generator
  • Strong and open communicator able to work across departmental teams to execute plans and maximize impact
  • High level of respect for the kind of learning that happens at liberal arts institutions, and a commitment to contributing to make Colby one of the leading colleges in the world
  • Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements
KEY RELATIONSHIPS :

The director will serve as part of the Office of Communications leadership team. This position has significant interaction with faculty, staff, students, and outside constituents.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Some weekend and evening hours are required.

TO APPLY :

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Editorial Director - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855


Company

Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the United States.

Distinctive in its offerings, Colby provides an intimate, undergraduate-focused learning environment with a breadth of programs presenting students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities. A vibrant and fully integrated academic, residential, and cocurricular experience is sustained by a diverse and supportive community. Located in Waterville, Maine, Colby is a global institution with students representing nearly every U.S. state and approximately 70 countries.

Colby’s model provides the scale and impact of larger universities coupled with intensive learning in a community committed to scholarship and discovery, multidisciplinary approaches to integrated learning, study in the liberal arts, and leading-edge programs addressing the world’s most complex challenges. Its network of partnerships with prestigious cultural, research, medical, and business institutions extends educational and scholarly collaborations, providing students with unmatched experiences leading to postgraduate success.

The College’s wide variety of programs and labs provides students and the community access to unique experiences: the Colby College Museum of Art, the finest college art museum in the country, and the Lunder Institute for American Art have made the College a nationally and internationally recognized center for art scholarship; DavisConnects prepares students for lifelong success by combining a forward-thinking liberal arts education with extensive internship, research, and global opportunities for all students regardless of their personal networks and financial circumstances; and the 350,000-square-foot Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, is the most advanced and comprehensive NCAA D-III facility in the country. In fall 2021, Colby opened the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the first such institute at a liberal arts college. Colby’s new Island Campus, consisting of Allen and Benner islands, gives Colby a significant presence on the coast of Maine for a wide range of academic programs and activities and undisturbed environments ideal for conducting interdisciplinary experiences.

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