Managing Editor

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Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Senior Director, Editorial and Content, this is an inaugural role and one of high visibility that will have profound and immediate impact on the FAS’ ability to communicate about the research and scholarship of its faculty and the broader FAS community. The Managing Editor will be central to shaping, elevating, and amplifying the FAS’ priorities in ways that are accurate, authentic and timely. Of particular importance, this role is crucial to the new flagship FAS storytelling platform, which will focus on FAS faculty, students, staff, and alumni. The Managing Editor will be a leading partner in setting editorial tone and content strategy as well as processes and managing writers. The ideal candidate is someone who is curious and enthusiastic about the FAS mission, and is eager to work with subjects that include teaching and research, faculty, students, and postdocs to deliver messages to internal and external audiences.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

·         Assign, edit, and publish stories from a team of FAS writers. Guide daily story curation. Oversee layout and integration of editorial content with multimedia assets for the storytelling platform. Uphold high journalism standards and integrity for all written content and expectations of overall editorial excellence for all writers.

·         Manage, inspire, and mentor a team of high-performing writers charged with delivering timely, accurate, informative, and creative editorial content that engages audiences through the new FAS storytelling platform.

·         Work with the Senior Director, Editorial and Content to develop and implement strategic communications plans. Collaborate with FAS and College colleagues as well as partners in GSAS, SEAS, alumni affairs and across the University.

·         Collaborate with multimedia and digital colleagues, and partners who distribute FAS editorial content across platforms.

·         Drive editorial innovation within the new platform, devising and testing new ideas and approaches to storytelling.

·         Manage the FAS storytelling platform’s approach to creative series and FAS communications campaigns, ensuring it is aligned with and amplifying FAS priorities. Identify opportunities to leverage the platform strategically across the University.

·         Develop strong processes and systems to support the editorial content process from assignment to editing to multimedia/photo selection, to publication.

·         Must be flexible in working with schedules and platforms that often demand deadline-driven content; must be able to meet research embargo deadlines.

Working Conditions:

This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our office is currently working on a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of three days per week on campus and the remaining days working remotely. However, it is possible that this arrangement may change. Complying with the office’s work location requirements is a condition of continued employment. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT).

Basic Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s Degree

·         8+ years of relevant experience

·         5+ years of management experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

·         Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience in both short- and long-form news articles and stories. 

·         Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

·         Experience engaging with senior-level stakeholders and complex subject matter. 

·         Experience managing a team of writers, working closely from conceiving and assigning stories to editing and publishing. 

·         Experience working with multimedia and social media.

·         Familiarity with higher education and the nuances of communicating to both scholarly and public audiences. 

·         Proven track record of collaboration across diverse teams, and a commitment to excellence and inclusivity. 

·         Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to pivot and adept at managing stakeholder feedback with diplomacy and professionalism.

• Cover Letter: Submit at time of application
• Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.