Director of Editorial Services

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here Is What We Offer

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
  
  

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

Basic Function

The Director of Editorial Services serves as the University’s Editor-in-Chief and is responsible for planning, developing, and executing the editorial strategy and vision of Howard University’s publications, including print and digital magazines, brochures, newsletters, Administration reports and special initiatives, and the University’s annual report.

The Director of Editorial is expected to have a vision for the University’s overall editorial strategy and storytelling that reflects the impact of rapidly changing technology and the inspiration to drive this vision for all writers, team members, extended influencers and ultimately, the audience.

Establish and maintain quality and editorial industry standards for writing, editing, and production of University content, including style guides and manuals. Develop publication procedures and guidelines for digital and print content. Provide expertise and advice on all content for the University.

Develop budget requests and manage and approve Editorial Division expenditures.

The Director of Editorial Services reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications, Media and Editorial Services.

Supervisory Authority

Supervise and provide leadership to a team of staff writers, including setting short-and long-term performance goals and conducting performance reviews. Manage freelance writers, designers, illustrators, editors and printers.

Nature And Scope

The incumbent will work across the enterprise to advance storytelling and brand awareness efforts. This includes, but is not limited to students, faculty, staff, administration and senior level executives across the University.

Internal and external contacts include executives, administrators and employees from all divisions and departments across the enterprise. External contacts

include auditors, representatives from federal, state and local regulatory

agencies and vendors.

Principal Accountabilities

• He/she directs the preparation and production of the Administration’s publications in collaboration with the Vice President, Assistant Vice Presidents.
• Leads the development and implementation of an editorial content calendar in collaboration with the OUC leadership team, strategic communications, media and editorial services teams. In collaboration with senior colleagues, establishes editorial, design, and quality standards for publications.
• Develops recommendations for storytelling; leads the development and production of storytelling and publication content.
• Collaborate with OUC Assistant Vice Presidents to supports marketing, digital and web strategies to the University’s community and other key audiences.
• Collaborate with the Director of Creative Service and Multimedia Strategy and Graphics Design team on design and branding on all University publications.
• Lead development of internal processes for receiving story ideas and content recommendations from the University community and alumni.
• Develop and manage the review and approval process for all stories and content
• Builds strong, effective relationships across campus and communicates and collaborates regularly with colleagues.
• Maintain positive relationships with alumni and donors/friends who interact with the Dig, Howard Magazine, HU2U, Bison Beat, and all other publications.
• Builds strong, effective relationships across campus and communicates and collaborates regularly with colleagues. The executive director is expected to maintain positive relationships with alumni and donors/friends who interact with the Dig, Howard Magazine, HU2U, Bison Beat, and all other publications.
• Must demonstrate the ability to successfully juggle multiple projects simultaneously and meet multiple simultaneous overlapping deadlines and schedules.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Seven to ten years of content strategy, writing, publishing (web and print), with journalistic integrity, preferably in a higher education, education, print/digital newsroom or nonprofit environment.
• Experience and expertise in writing, editing, organization and editorial strategy.
• Excellent communication style and compelling, diverse portfolio.
• Strong writing skills which are creative, innovative, original, and well researched as well as clean, clear and grammatically correct.
• Superior editing/proofreading skills.
• Strong marketing communication skills, with the ability to work with communication that speaks to a diverse audience.
• Ability to handle issues efficiently and professionally, while remaining sensitive to university concerns, goals and objectives.
• Ability to build effective working relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels.
• Ability to adapt to changing communication and media processes.
• Ability to learn and use a variety of content publishing tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with overlapping deadlines with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Personal computer and basic software related skills
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism or related field, Master’s degree preferred, but not required. Ten - twelve years of relevant experience. High level of understanding of digital and print publishing, including use of content management systems and layout design.
  
  

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: 97,381 - 107,120