Senior Content Writer

- Mid Level

College Station, TX

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Content Writer, under general supervision, will tell stories - proactively and as assigned - of impactful research being conducted at Texas A&M to elevate the university's national reputation and image as a top-tier research institution. This team member will build relationships with faculty members to create content for university media channels and for a year-to-year contract with The Conversation, a network of nonprofit media outlets publishing news stories and research reports online. Responsible for working with national media members to create media mentions, placements and make Texas A&M researchers the go-to voice on certain topics.

Responsibilities

• Liaison to The Conversation (TC): Connect Texas A&M faculty/staff/graduate students who are willing to write with TC editors.
• Identify key experts to send TC callouts and devise angles to pitch to TC editors.
• Assist authors, as needed, during editorial process.
• Tell stories of impactful research through news releases, stories or videos as assigned by supervisors, Chief Marketing Officer or members of the central Marketing team.
• Proactively find interesting research stories and present them for approval.
• Balance writing several stories and projects at the same time.
• Cultivate relationships with faculty, researchers and research deans.
• Assist Central Marketing and Communications team with content packages and/or feature and/or strategic communications writing.
• Assist with compiling and sending weekly newsletter.
• Assist with website content management.
• Work collaboratively with college and department and Office of Research communicators to ensure appropriate approvals and avoid duplication of work.
• Write social media copy and work with central social team to ensure thoughtful and strategic distribution.
• Build relationships with reporters, pitch and assist them as they write stories based on our releases.
• Assist with distribution lists for wider media sends.
• Attend 'meet the media' events and conferences.
• Assist with media monitoring as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or similar discipline.
• Four years of related experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in higher education environment.
• Experience in print journalism.
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, science communication or related field. Area of study must be concentrated on writing.
• Education or equivalent experience in science writing and communication.
• Ability to write in clear and understandable language for journalists and the public.
• Ability to translate often complex scientific research into easily understandable language.
• Ability to work without supervision to find stories, then tell those stories in informative, compelling ways that connect with target audiences.
• Knowledge of the national media landscape in both traditional and emerging media areas.
• Experience in content marketing, particularly digital.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to positively and professionally interact with coworkers, administrators, faculty and staff, current and former students, and members of the media.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of office software and instructional programs.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time.
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees.