Career Center

Department: MED-Office of Communications
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The Publications Editor is an accomplished editor, writer and project manager with broad-based responsibilities for planning, managing, and implementing a wide range of communications. In collaboration with the senior staffing team, the Publications Editor 2 manages a portfolio of projects, interacting directly with internal and external clients and senior administrators throughout the University. This position also serves as editor of Northwestern Medicine Magazine, a quarterly print and online publication, as well as other medical school newsletters and publications. Additional projects include print and digital communications.  

Specific Responsibilities:

Editorial Direction and Strategy:

• Develop and implement editorial and art direction and direct standards, content and design for Northwestern Medicine Magazine (print and online).
• Research and develop story slate for Northwestern Medicine Magazine and work with Executive Director and Dean on approval and direction.
• Identifies and researches opportunities for high-level strategic communications content; creates and implements strategic, long-term plans for reputation-building and leadership communications.
• Maintain editorial oversight and direction of several reputation-focused newsletters
• Identify audience segments, compose strategic messages, and determine the most effective vehicles and timing for deployment.
• Occasionally assess existing vehicles and develop new communication vehicles, from concept through execution.
• Maintain relationships with clinical affiliates and organizational leadership and maintain a high level of institutional awareness to ensure strategic storytelling.

Management:

• Lead project management, as well as provide leadership, coaching, and training to senior writers, as applicable.
• Directly manage editorial content contributors, freelancers, designers, writers, photographers, and agency/vendors to gather, produce, and/or design content.
• Manage freelance relationships for editorial content.
• Engage and manage vendors involved in the production and distribution of medical school publications, including design firms, printers, and mailing houses.

Editing and Proofreading:

• Serve as Editor for Northwestern Medicine Magazine. Oversee all production and development of magazine content, art-direction and mailing of this high-quality glossy magazine and website.
• Provide review, copy editing, and proofreading of Communications and unit-specific materials.
• Assign writing tasks to members of the editorial team, student workers, and freelance writers, as appropriate.
• Establish and enforce editorial standards, guidelines, and style guide for use.
• Ensure that messaging and tone are appropriate across all marketing communication vehicles to all audiences.
• Establish quality benchmarks and produce optimal editorial and marketing content.
• Audit editorial quality, effectiveness, and results through qualitative and quantitative measures, and identify opportunities to improve communications.

Writing:

• Develop wide range of materials, including print publications, online communications and social media posts.
• Develop, as necessary, School-wide and unit-specific content newsletters and other publications (print and online).
• Conduct research, obtain background information, and conduct interviews in preparation for writing the materials.

Budget:

• Builds and manages budgets for publications, including Northwestern Medicine Magazine, Breakthroughs, and other newsletters as necessary.
• Handle other projects as assigned by the director.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years editing and writing work experience in publishing, preferably in a university, nonprofit, or newsroom setting.
• Experience managing writers, complex tasks, and large-scale editorial projects.
• Experience developing communication strategies and plans.
• Client-relations, newsroom or corporate communications experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proven ability to manage multiple editorial projects and complete them under tight deadlines. Must work quickly.
• Exceptional editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to interact with senior administrators throughout the University.
• Exceptional interviewing and writing skills and a strong portfolio of writing that is clear, accurate, and compelling.
• Experience managing or overseeing the budget of a project, office, or initiative.
• Experience managing or overseeing production processes of a printed periodical or publication.
• Ability to interview University administrators and faculty across a wide range of disciplines and present complex concepts in clear and lively prose for diverse donor audiences.
• Ability to write in a voice appropriate to the varied audiences addressed, and writing to the style of key individuals.
• Experience with digital publication tools and content management systems including WordPress.
• Proficiency with editing software including Photoshop and InDesign
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and included reviewing tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree.
• Experience in higher education advancement or health care.
• Experience managing print production and layout.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Proficiency with other digital production tools or content management systems including Cascade.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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