Column Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 308Pay Range: $73,000.00 - $109,400.00

Job Description

The Video Writer & Producer is a digital content production role responsible for writing and developing high-quality media assets - including scripted videos, podcasts, corporate documentaries, episodic shorts, educational and training content and promotional/PR-driven productions. This role is fundamentally a storytelling and content creation position, with the primary output being compelling, written material. The Video Writer & Producer leads the full lifecycle of digital content - from content and scripting through production, post-production and final delivery - and works collaboratively with the rest of the WGU Studios team (Operations, Production and Graphics/Design), along with internal clients and executives, subject matter experts and technical staff across the university, all to achieve exceptional results.

• Write, develop and edit video scripts across multiple formats: 2-4 column scripts, narrative scripts, promotional copy, social media stingers, creative briefs and pitch decks. Script development and copywriting are core, primary functions of this role.

• Act as the lead creative writer on scripted, unscripted, and corporate video needs.

• Lead the development of compelling narratives and story concepts for video, podcast and animation projects. Identify stories worth telling and champion them through the production process.

• Translate complex data, concepts, and institutional messaging into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate content.

• Develop creative strategy informed by market trends, consumer insights, competitor messaging and campaign data. Proactively identify new content angles and narrative approaches.

• Partner with videographers, editors, animators, and audio engineers through the video production process.

• Implement accessibility standards for all video content, including captions and transcripts.

• Stay up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for process improvement, social media best practices, and platform-specific requirements.

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders at all levels to ensure a smooth transition from initial concept to final deliverable.

• Review and filter creative briefs; partnering with internal clients to gather necessary information. Scope video and animation projects and establish key milestones with team members, clients, and stakeholders.

• Coordinate with university leaders, employees, students, partners, and other subjects to translate complex topics into scripts and video assets.

• Manage the communication process in partnership with the studio operations teams between stakeholders, studio, and participants.

• Prioritize numerous and overlapping projects, including experience working under and meeting tight deadlines, and foster and maintain good relationships with internal and external clients, team members, and partners.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to write, produce and lead vision for corporate, commercial, documentary, educational, training, product demo, UI, and explainer videos.

• Strong understanding of the entire video production process, including videography, photography, video editing, color-correction, audio engineering, motion graphics, animation, compositing, visual effects, and exporting final deliverables.

• High proficiency in video scripting for short-form platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as long-form platforms including corporate documentaries, episodic productions and leadership messages.

• Strong understanding of principles of storytelling, writing, editing, visual and interactive design, including composition, typography, layout, color, motion, and audio.

• Excellent creative leadership, editorial leadership, or experience in player/coach role managing writers or creative contributors.

• Experience working across matrixed organizations and turning executive voices into written material.

• Deep understanding of direct response principles, consumer psychology, and creative strategy for performance marketing.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret campaign data and optimize based on insights.

• Demonstrates exceptional writing ability across formats (ads, scripts, headlines, etc.) with attention to clarity, tone, and compliance.

• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.

• Working knowledge of motion-graphic implementation ranging from lower thirds and descriptive titling to complex illustration, animation, character rigging, and more.

• Working knowledge of production software such as Gorilla Studio Suite, Movie Magic, Studio Binder or comparable.

• Proficient in remote workflow and project management applications.

• Proficient in project-management software such as Asana, Jira, Basecamp, ClickUp, or comparable.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Working knowledge exporting to a variety of distribution platforms with the appropriate video and audio formats and closed captions.

• Adaptable, self-motivated professional who thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and navigates ambiguity with ease.

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with a creative, solution-oriented approach to complex challenges.

• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, capable of handling multiple high-priority projects and tight deadlines.

• Effective leader and collaborator with strong interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building skills across teams and stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Film/TV Production or a related field.

Experience

• 5+ years of writing experience with an agency, in-house team, media organization or post-production studio, with a demonstrated and primary focus on scripting, editing, video-production, or a related discipline.

• Previous experience writing and producing various forms of written and visual content.

• Must have an up-to-date portfolio that demonstrates top-shelf work with a writing focus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting and working at a computer.

• Ability to lift and transport audio equipment (up to 60 lbs).

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours.

• Ability to travel up to 25% as required.

Experience in lieu of education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.