Managing Editor at Whitman College

October 19, 2022
Walla Walla, WA

Located in the historic community of http://www.wallawalla.org/, Whitman's vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

http://whitman.edu/ is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The Managing Editor develops and edits content and oversees editorial production for online, print and digital content, catering to diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, donors and the campus community.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Under the direction of the Director of Content, serve as the managing editor for written news and feature content produced for Whitman's content channels, including Whitman Magazine and the Whitman Newsroom.
  • Oversee the day-to-day development of content creation, including assigning stories and content creation to both staff and freelance writers/content producers.
  • Oversee production of Whitman Magazine, including making magazine writing assignments, editing content, design coordination and managing logistics (scheduling, production, distribution and budget management).
  • Work closely with the Director of Content to set strategy around coverage of college activities and people, prioritize stories, identify appropriate print and digital channels, create editorial calendars for print and digital content, and communicate needs and expectations across the content, social media and public relations teams.
  • Write, edit and post website content, including news, features, spotlights/profiles, and institutional copy, ensuring consistency in quality and voice.
  • Participate in campus events to enhance cross-department relationships and gather content ideas.
  • Hire, train and supervise student writers, including managing assignments and coordinating relevant training.
  • Copyedit, proofread, and fact check materials as assigned.
  • Complete other content or department tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Individuals must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Exemplary writing and editing skills, adaptable for diverse audiences and a range of purposes, including but not limited to web, print, email marketing and fundraising.
  • High level of creativity, with the ability to strategize content and concepts and see them through from start to finish.
  • Excellent proofing, copy editing and fact-checking skills; ability to communicate effectively and creatively, both verbally and in writing; thorough knowledge of English language, grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. Knowledge of AP (Associated Press) Style or the ability to learn and apply AP Style, as well as Whitman style guidelines, to writing.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and collaborate with diverse individuals, teams and groups.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with the college's leaders as well as students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni and the general public, in part to conduct effective interviews for stories.
  • Ability to advance the college's core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism.
  • Ability to prioritize projects, establish and meet deadlines (sometimes on a tight timeline), and to work effectively with a team and in an independent manner.
  • Ability to serve as a writing and editing supervisor, mentor and resource for staff writers, student interns, campus colleagues and freelancers. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, or related field and five years public relations, marketing or journalism writing experience, or any combination of experience that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Experience editing a college magazine

HIRING SALARY RANGE 

$63,825-$67,275 

BENEFITS 

Whitman offers competitive employee benefits, including https://www.whitman.edu/documents/Offices/Human-Resources/Human%20Resources/2015%20Open%20Enrollment/Open%20Enrollment/2022-OEL-and-Benefit-Guide-Whitman-College.pdf, a generous 10% matching contribution to the https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/benefits/retirement, and paid time off including https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/faculty-and-staff/staff-handbook/benefits#holidays for full-time staff https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/faculty-and-staff/staff-handbook/benefits#vacation and https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/faculty-and-staff/staff-handbook/benefits#sick leave. Learn more about benefits eligibility https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/benefits. 

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

At Whitman College, we take seriously the safety of our community. Whitman is a fully vaccinated campus, requiring all employees and students to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or have an approved exemption. More information can be found https://www.whitman.edu/covid-dashboard/updates/july-1-2021-%E2%80%94-new-vaccination-requirements-and-state-guidance. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES 

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process. 

APPLICATION REVIEW 

Application review will begin on Nov. 11, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. 

ANTICIPATED START DATE 

Dec. 12, 2022

For full application instructions and position description, visit https://apptrkr.com/3557944