What are the responsibilities and job description for the Writer position at College of the Holy Cross?
Job Summary
Reporting to the Managing Editor of Digital Content, the Writer works to tell the Holy Cross story across all our digital and print platforms, including the College's website, social media, the Holy Cross online newsroom, digital and print marketing pieces, and our alumni publication, Holy Cross Magazine. This standout writer plays a key role in bringing Holy Cross to life through crafting interesting, readable stories about Holy Cross that appeal to a wide variety of audiences. This requires a deep understanding of important messages about the College, and how those messages resonate differently with students, faculty and staff, prospective students and families, Holy Cross alumni and the broader public.
In addition to writing, this individual works closely with the social media manager and others in the Office of College Marketing and Communications to craft creative digital content, including photos and graphics, for the college's social platforms and other digital properties.
Major Areas of Responsibility
• Writes assigned and self-generated news stories, feature stories, reports, and other content for publication in all College media, primarily for Holy Cross' online newsroom and Holy Cross Magazine.
• Shows professionalism in collaborating with and interviewing campus partners and students for stories; proactively reaches out to stakeholders and follows up on leads.
• Demonstrates good judgment in identifying stories, and pitches ideas and proposals to the Marketing and Communications team.
• Helps create other forms of digital content, including photos, videos, graphics and social media content for a variety of channels.
• Serves as a key member of a multi-platform content team charged with working collaboratively to maximize storytelling and support strategic marketing initiatives. Other team members include producers of photography, video, digital content, social media and traditional media.
• Assists in researching, organizing, formatting, writing, editing and proofreading digital content, print publications and other material.
• Posts online content, ensuring compliance with style guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of professional writing experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Experience with Adobe software suite. Familiarity with social media platforms is a plus.
Core Competencies
• A deft and lively writer, with excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills, as well as demonstrated skill in crafting both news items and compelling feature stories.
• Can work independently within a highly collaborative team.
• Ability to work well under pressure and within strict deadlines.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments at once, and prioritize appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to take a story idea and conduct necessary research and interviews to produce a coherent, persuasive piece.
• Strong work ethic; exhibits professionalism and dependability in working with a range of community members, Including students, faculty, alumni, senior leadership, and trustees.
• Flexibility and ability to multitask; takes initiative to identify Plan B when Plan A goes awry, and seeks out new resources to execute.
• Demonstrated innovation and creativity.
• Service-oriented and community-minded.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including collegiality, a sense of humor, good listening and an ability to engage successfully with a range of individuals and personalities.
• Understands, values and respects diversity as an individual, in a team and within groups while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Understands and appreciates the mission of Holy Cross as a leader in undergraduate liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition.
Disclaimer
The description above represents the most significant duties of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the factor degrees assigned.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This is a full time, exempt level position, with a salary range of $60,000-$65,000 and a temporary opportunity which will run through June 30, 2025. The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees. The College also offers a competitive benefits package for full-time staff, including:
- 10% College contribution to the 403(b) Retirement Plan (1 year wait waiver available)
- This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement - upon hire, candidates will need to live within commuting distance
- Condensed summer 4-day work week
- Tuition & Education benefits
- Wellness programs & ongoing Training and Development opportunities
- Generous paid time off
The College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all Federal and Massachusetts laws concerning Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the workplace.
To review our Employee Benefit Options, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/human-resources/benefits
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume. In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's commitment to inclusive excellence (https://aspire.holycross.edu/inclusive-excellence). Please provide examples of how you have integrated diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into your past work. For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity.
Review of applications will begin as received and continue until the position has been filled.
Salary : $60,000 - $65,000
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