| Detailed Description: |
The senior content strategist (SCS) is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive editorial content strategy that effectively communicates the university’s mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives through engaging and high-quality content. This position oversees the production and distribution of original content across multiple platforms, including the institution’s print and digital publications, university websites, and internal electronic communications. The SCS leads a team of writers, editors, and contributors, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration to produce compelling, multimedia stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Working closely with colleagues in University Marketing and Communications (UM&C) and marketing managers across campus, the SCS plays a key role in enhancing the university’s brand identity and reputation through creative storytelling and strategic content initiatives. This position serves as editor for both the University of San Diego Magazine, the institution’s flagship publication, and the USD News Center, the institution’s internal news hub. The SCS stays current with emerging trends in content marketing, magazine publication, and digital communications, continuously seeking new opportunities to drive engagement, increase brand awareness and advance the university's strategic goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
University of San Diego Magazine
- Serve as editor-in-chief of the University of San Diego Magazine, overseeing the editorial team and reporting to the director of Digital Communications.
- Develop story ideas, assign articles to writers and plan the overall content strategy for each issue.
- Write and edit articles, ensuring that they are clear, engaging, maintain brand standards and in alignment with the university’s editorial style.
- Capture photo assets as needed and/or coordinate with internal and external photographers to support content development.
- Coordinate with freelance writers and in-house contributors to ensure that their work meets deadlines and aligns with the magazine’s quality standards.
- Work closely with designers to develop the layout, visuals, and overall aesthetic of each issue.
- Oversee the production process, including proofreading, printing, and distributing the magazine.
- Keep up to date with trends in magazine publishing and higher education to ensure that the magazine remains relevant and engaging.
- Respond to reader feedback, monitor analytics to understand reader preferences, and develop strategies to increase engagement.
- Allocate and manage the magazine’s financial resources effectively, working closely with UM&C leadership and office manager.
- Develop partnerships with other departments in the university to promote events, share research findings, and develop content that supports the university’s goals.
- Oversee the design, functionality, and content of the magazine's digital presence.
- Develop strategies to improve the magazine’s search engine rankings, increasing visibility and driving organic traffic to the website.
- Develop and execute email marketing campaigns to promote new issues, events, and other magazine-related news to subscribers.
- Monitor and analyze website and social media metrics to measure performance, identify trends, and inform content strategies.
- Explore partnerships with external websites or platforms to increase the reach and visibility of the magazine’s content.
- Oversee the creation of video, audio, and other multimedia content to enhance the digital magazine experience.
- Ensure that digital content meets accessibility guidelines, and that the magazine’s digital presence fosters diversity and inclusivity.
Digital Communications
- Collaborate with other members of UM&C to develop, write, and edit electronic communications that report on the activities of students, faculty, alumni, administrators, friends, and donors of the university.
- Working with the director and associate vice president of UM&C, manage content for and editorial oversight of the USD News Center, USD’s primary internal communication platform highlighting noteworthy news for and about the university and its students, faculty, administration, and primary constituencies.
- Provide videography support, to a wide range of digital communications projects and initiatives, including but not limited to: USD News Center, university websites, the University of San Diego Magazine and other UM&C projects as assigned.
- Develop and maintain digital communications’ protocols, guidelines, and workflows.
- Recruit student ambassadors as content developers.
- Oversee the production of the USD News Center, ensuring timely and engaging content.
- Ensure consistency in the university's messaging, brand voice, and style guidelines across all platforms and projects.
- Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of editorial professionals to achieve the highest standards of quality and consistency in content production.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as media outlets, contributors, and partner organizations, to enhance the reach and reputation of the university's editorial initiatives.
Project Management and Workflow Optimization
- Oversee the assessment and delegation of incoming projects related to content strategy, ensuring optimal distribution among the team.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive project calendar for the content and editorial team, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely progress and adherence to deadlines.
- Provide regular status reports to UM&C leadership and relevant stakeholders, keeping them informed of project statuses and potential challenges.
- Facilitate daily communication with clients, colleagues, project managers, and vendors regarding project timelines, progress updates, budget constraints, and required approvals.
- Continuously evaluate and refine existing policies and procedures to improve project flow and manage inventory of necessary equipment for content creation and distribution.
- Ensure that all projects align with the university's mission and values, effectively conveying its brand identity and strategic goals.
Content Strategy and Development
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for content creation and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. This includes video and print materials, showcasing the activities and achievements of the university community.
- Oversee the production of high-quality and engaging content that appeals to the target audience and supports the university's brand identity.
- Monitor and analyze content performance metrics, using insights to inform future content strategies and improve audience engagement.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with university collaborators, creating engaging content and themes that support USD's institutional messaging and strategic objectives.
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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| Job Requirements: |
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Five years’ print and/or electronic communications experience including web content writing, video production, editing, and oversight, supported by a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work.
- Exercise discretion and independent judgment in the assignment of projects and completion of tasks; strong organizational and management skills.
- Possess an understanding of modern marketing communication techniques and heightened awareness of social media trends required.
- Demonstrated professional expertise in the craft of journalism, including the ability to work independently and creatively to develop story ideas, interview, and research subjects; develop background information into high-quality journalistic prose.
- Ability to develop and execute projects from concept through completion, on time and within budgetary limits.
- Experience operating a variety of standard and special-purpose still and/or video cameras.
- Fluency with video development/editing programs. Experience working in Adobe Premier Pro.
- Proficiency in Macintosh software applications, including word processing and graphics software.
- Must exhibit attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
- Commitment to the mission and values of USD.
- Must be friendly and personable; mature, positive attitude.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Specific experience in the development of visual identity or corporate communications style standards is encouraged.
- Mobile editing software like iMovie and similar editing programs is preferred.
Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct; able to deal effectively and diplomatically with diverse personalities; maintain tact and discretion in all interactions.
- Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills. Ability to work well independently and with others in a team environment and under deadline pressure.
- Ability to supervise, train, and motivate including with freelancers and other contracted professionals.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required as well as exceptional critical listening and thinking skills. Command of the English language, including AP writing style, and standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and proofreading skill.
- Must possess a clear understanding of the university’s branding, writing, and graphic standards and ensure standards are adhered to at all times.
- Ability to assume responsibility for and problem solve when provided time-sensitive digital content projects.
- Demonstrated ability to edit and write copy ranging from news and feature articles, profiles and interviews, to advertising and brochure copy.
- Familiarity with digital communications industry (specifically video and social media) standards and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise and successfully manage all phases of the creative writing process.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends for events and academic programs; business needs may also require individual to be able to work various shifts and times.
- Knowledge of USD’s policies and procedures.
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