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In one PDF, submit a cover letter briefly summarizing your interest in this position and your most relevant qualifications, along with your resume and five writing samples that you feel best demonstrate your fit for this role.
The Writer is an integral part of the university's Communications Team, finding and telling the stories of our students, faculty, staff, leadership and alumni for Reporter (our twice-weekly faculty/staff e-news) and our News site, as well as for specific departments and units. Our approach is journalistic and story-centered. We welcome applications from like-minded writers, with clips to demonstrate.
The Writer will report to the Director of Communications and be part of a team of committed and creative professionals: a Senior Writer/Managing Editor, a Digital Media Manager and a Photographer. The Communications Team is part of the Office of External Relations, which also includes the Marketing, Web Services and Government Relations teams. All teams collaborate closely with one another.
The Writer must have demonstrated talents for producing high-quality written work on deadline, gathering complex information and translating it clearly and accurately for a variety of audiences, synthesizing feedback from multiple sources, and producing content that is engaging, easily understood and can be used across platforms. A successful candidate will be self-motivated, curious, flexible, versatile, highly collaborative, deadline- and detail-oriented, and an excellent time manager.
This position covers the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Education, Health and Human Services, in addition to general university news. Accordingly, we are especially interested in hearing from writers who are well-versed in faculty research, engineering, computer science, health and human services, and/or education, while also able to cover other topics. Writers who demonstrate an ability to quickly learn about these areas will also make strong candidates. Professional journalism experience and/or experience storytelling for higher education strongly preferred.
Visit umdearborn.edu/news to learn more about the types of stories we cover and our storytelling approach.
Regularly identify, pitch and write stories about the work of UM-Dearborn faculty, staff, students, leadership and alumni, including faculty and student research, academic projects, university programs and initiatives, student support programs and profile pieces
Shepherd the story approval process: review the story with sources to ensure accuracy, clarify information as needed, secure any necessary additional approvals and respond to edits from
the Reporter editor (Director of Communications), while meeting deadlines
Carefully proof stories, ensuring clean copy and adherence to AP and UM-Dearborn style before submission
Coordinate with the staff Photographer and story sources to schedule, review and select images
Regularly contribute to Reporter standing sections: Events, Good News, Good to Know (brief campus updates)
Post stories and images to the News website
Assist the Marketing Communications Coordinator (a member of the Marketing Team) in preparing the twice-weekly e-news and serve as backup for this duty when needed
Along with other team members, carefully proof the e-news before publication
Brainstorm and coordinate social media content with the Digital Media Manager
Support special projects with units across campus, including Institutional Advancement, Marketing and Office of Research
Other duties as assigned
A bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years professional writing experience, ideally as a journalist and/or university communicator. Candidates who do not meet the education and experience requirements will not be considered
Outstanding writing, proofreading and editing skills with a proven ability to create content that engages a variety of audiences
Ability to analyze and synthesize information quickly and accurately and to communicate complex and nuanced information in a straightforward, compelling way
Ability to build productive, collaborative relationships with staff, students, faculty, university leadership and alumni
Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines, while balancing competing priorities and tackling multiple assignments
Knowledge of grammar usage and editorial style guidelines (AP style preferred)
Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Proficiency with website content management systems and e-newsletter platforms
Comfort with digital platforms and self-motivation in learning new tools/techniques and troubleshooting
Openness to constructive edits and feedback, and willingness/ability to provide constructive edits and feedback to others
Ability and willingness to use discretion and diplomacy when dealing with confidential or sensitive information or situations
Must be self-motivated, curious, flexible, versatile, highly collaborative, deadline- and detail-oriented, and an excellent time manager
A demonstrated ability to write about faculty research or other technical topics in a clear and compelling manner for a lay audience
Familiarity with Canva and/or basic photo editing software
Basic understanding of photo composition principles
Ability to recognize media outreach opportunities
Ability to work with a videographer to produce video stories
Ability to script short videos and/or contribute to collaborative scriptwriting and brainstorming on short video content
The writer will be expected to work a minimum of 3 days per week on a regular schedule, to be determined with the supervisor. A 4 or 5 day schedule is preferred and may be required during busy times of the academic year. There will be room for flexibility as needed and appropriate for the team's work flow.
This position is hybrid and will require some dedicated time on campus. Only local candidates and those willing and able to work a hybrid schedule (not fully remote) will be considered for this position.
Candidates must be able to be lawfully employed in the United States; sponsorship to obtain such status is not available at this time.
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.