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Marketing Writer, Alumni Relations



Position Summary

The marketing writer works within the Development and Alumni Relations Communications department to provide strong writing, editing, marketing and creative concepting to promote engagement with the university, primarily through the Association of Rice Alumni. A central function of the writer is to provide high quality creative direction and content for a range of marketing materials, including the Rice Alumni website, event invitations for print and email, newsletters, video scripts, correspondence and more. The marketing writer interviews alumni and other stakeholders, writes compelling stories, recommends marketing approaches, leads brainstorming conversations and ensures quality content by leading editorial review and following Rice style guidelines.

The ideal candidate will be a creative and critical thinker, avid researcher and excellent writer with the ability to understand the needs of a particular audience and customize the messaging appropriately.

Essential Functions
  • Researches and writes compelling copy for informational, promotional and public relations projects to support the initiatives and objectives of a department, program, division or school
  • Produces speeches, brochures, articles, features, press releases, marketing collateral, newsletters, web pages and/or other types of materials
  • Edits copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice style
  • Writes copy or re-purposes content for the web and social media
  • Creates unique messages and copy for branding purposes
  • Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions/Information
  • Provides creative direction for signature Rice Alumni events, including Laureates awards, Homecoming & Reunion, Families Weekend, President’s Lecture Series, Beer Bike and Young Alumni Weekend, and more.
  • Develops compelling digital content and maintains a number of e-newsletter communications, both for the broader alumni community and for select regions.
  • Helps plan, develop and implement creative strategies for affinity and regional groups, as well as major alumni programming that promotes lifelong learning, such as Traveling Owls, faculty lectures and the Beyond the Hedges podcast series.
  • Drafts letters, memos, resolutions and other statements on behalf of, and in support of, the alumni board.
  • Advises on and collaborates with digital team on social media strategies.
  • Serves as copy editor and proofreader, primarily on Alumni Relations materials, but also on other communication projects as needed.
  • Serves as point person for creative decisions on alumni relations communications and makes recommendations for multichannel and targeted campaigns.
  • Works collaboratively on project scope, timelines, and tasks using project management software such as Teamwork PM, Workzone, etc.
  • Open office environment with many hours per day in front of a computer and/or in strategy meetings.
  • Position is in contact with Rice staff, faculty, and administrators at all levels as well as external volunteers, donors, and vendors
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in English, liberal arts, communications, journalism, or a related field
  • One year of related professional writing experience
  • Skills Required
    • Written and verbal communication skills
    • Knowledge of multiple media formats
    • Knowledge of AP style
    • Listening skills
    • Microsoft Office skills
Substitutions
  • In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree in English, liberal arts, communications, or journalism, a bachelor’s degree in any field with a total of three years of professional writing experience would be accepted.
  • No substitutions for experience allowed
Preferred Qualifications
  • Education and Experience
    • Two or more years of professional writing and editing experience.
    • Experience working with graphic designers and web staff on digital communications and social media.
    • Experience writing for development at an institution of higher education or in writing marketing collateral, brochures, correspondence, or newsletters for various purposes.
    • Experience working with communications clients and managing customer relationships.
    • Experience working in a nonprofit fundraising campaign or initiative.
    • Experience in a PC Windows environment.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies

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