Content Writer (1299)

Get to Know American University

At American University we value open and honest inquiry, servant leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all. We envision a thriving AU community where individuals of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail.

Our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff represent every state and more than 150 countries. Our internationally recognized faculty are today's thought leaders in the areas of public policy, law, the arts, communications, international development, and more. Our staff are innovative, service-oriented, and dedicated to moving the university towards achieving its strategic goals. We are committed to an excellent experience for all of our students, faculty and staff and share a passion for creating change through our knowledge and our work.

Learn more about American University by clicking here .

About the Department/Unit

Come join an energetic team of dedicated communicators working across the university, along with a multitude of diverse stakeholders committed to telling the AU story. University Communications and Marketing thrives with a committed and creative team working collaboratively sharing changemaker stories to a wide variety of audiences.

Summary/Objective

University Communications and Marketing is seeking a versatile content writer who can create original short-form and long-form content and repurpose it for a variety of uses across print and digital platforms to meet the information needs of that platform’s audience. This writer understands a creative brief and can ideate content with an eye to its strategic execution whether collaborating with a designer to tie the right visual and headline together on a marketing advertisement or finding or creating the perfect visual to illustrate an originally reported story. We are looking for someone who enjoys the challenge of adapting quickly to produce high quality content when the situation calls for it. This person also is expected to be able to copy edit and proofread their own copy and the copy of others as well as take edits from other editors and leadership.

Essential Functions

1. Write content for a variety of purposes, audiences, and platforms including but not limited to print and digital advertisements, web site copy, social media posts, video and audio scripts, articles, and reports.

2. Write concise and pithy headlines that follow the university’s Challenge Accepted campaign style and draw the reader into wanting to know more.

3. Collaborate with print and web designers and video producers from content conception through editorial sign-off, rewriting the content as needed for a variety of uses.

4. Collaborate with other UCM editors and writers to identify potential story ideas that reflect the university’s mission, promote the values set forth in the university’s strategic plan, and showcase the strategic messaging in the university’s Challenge Accepted campaign.

5. Conduct regularly primary research and original reporting by finding and interviewing appropriate sources within and outside the university.

6. Understand how to and are open to working with a wide variety of people across a range of marketing and communications disciplines who may have differing styles of creativity.

7. Is capable of copy editing and proofreading one’s own copy and as well as other writers and editors according to the university’s editorial style guide and the Chicago Manual of Style.

8. Understand and follow all Challenge Accepted visual and textual style guidelines.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time
• Sr. Coordinator/Analyst B
• Exempt
• Hybrid work requires partial presence on campus, including the department's office located at 4401 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree
  
  
• 4-6 years of relevant experience
  
  

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5-8 years of relevant experience
  
  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• A portfolio that demonstrates experience writing engaging content in a variety of styles for diverse audiences.
• Excellent research, organization, and time management skills.
• Proven communication and collaboration skills.
• The capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.
• The ability to be flexible and work efficiently without compromising quality or accuracy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of professional editorial practices and processes.
• An understanding of SEO best practices.
• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Current American University Employees

If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoAsuccessfulU through themyAU portal . Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC