Editorial Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).
The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.
We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.
Primary Location:
CUNY INSTITUTE FOR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Bargaining Unit:
No
CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG): About us
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) is a good governance think-and-do tank. We are driven by the idea that data-informed approaches can measurably improve the way government and public institutions operate, equitably serve all constituents, and ultimately solve social policy problems. We also provide the knowledge and action needed to fuel those approaches. With the necessary research, policies, partnerships, and infrastructures, we help government and public institutions work more effectively, efficiently, and in the interest of all communities.
Our Goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We strive to foster an office environment and an approach to work that welcomes and respects different perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We are working towards our goal of recruiting and retaining staff and board members who are diverse in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic status, disability, and justice system involvement.
Who we are looking for
We are hiring an Editorial Associate to join CUNY ISLG's growing communications department at either the Associate (4-6 years of relevant experience) or Senior Associate (7+ years of relevant experience) level. This position, which encompasses writing, editing, and design, will play a critical role in helping the Institute grow and refine its editorial footprint while ensuring all external-facing content is informative, relevant, engaging, and held to high editorial standards.
This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial- and civic-minded communications professional with experience both writing and editing in a public policy setting. While the substantive duties of this role will entail facilitating the development and publication of project-based reports, briefs, and related materials, the Editorial Associate will be encouraged to think creatively and develop original content and workstreams relevant to CUNY ISLG's work and mission.
The Editorial Associate will report to the Communications Project Director (CPD) and will work closely with them as well as other Communications staff, research and policy staff, and colleagues across the organization on a range of tasks. Responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Content Development
  
  • Work with Communications colleagues and project teams to develop key messaging on external-facing publications that reinforce project and organizational priorities, and ensure all products and copy adhere to it.
  • Guide and manage the editorial development-including conceptualizing, outlining, editing, and proofing-of long-form products (i.e., reports, briefs) written by research and policy staff, ensuring they adhere to organizational standards and are cohesive, engaging, audience-focused, and on schedule.
  • When appropriate, contribute to the drafting of aforementioned long-form products.
  • Propose, draft, and/or edit supplementary products (i.e., blogs, fact sheets, e-blasts) that highlight the impact of projects.
  • Propose and/or write Q&As, op-eds, features, and other forms of non-project content relevant to ISLG's work and mission.
  • Apply SEO best practices across digital publications-including keyword strategy, headline optimization, metadata, internal linking, and content structure-to improve search visibility, reach, and long-term discoverability.
  • Contribute to the drafting of social media posts to promote content.

• Communication Design and Branding
  
  • Work with colleagues to determine the best presentation for publications, including PDFs, web reports, or blogs.
  • Flow copy into branded templates (i.e., on InDesign) or manage vendors doing so.
  • Input content into web design templates.
  • Edit and update content for CUNY ISLG's website or sites it manages, aligning the website with changing context, needs, and trends in the field.

This position is hybrid and based in New York City. CUNY ISLG staff work out of the Midtown office two days a week of their choosing, but overlapping at least one in-office day with the CPD.
We would love to hear from you if:

• You have a BA or higher (or equivalent experience) and a minimum of 4 years of demonstrated relevant professional experience in policy writing, editing, content development, journalism, or copywriting.
  
  • Associate: 4-6 years of relevant experience.
  • Senior Associate: 7+ years of relevant experience.
• You have strong writing skills, including substantial experience drafting original content.
• You have substantial experience constructively and collaboratively editing the work of colleagues.
• You have an understanding of communication design practices, such as layout and web design.
• You have excellent time management skills and experience working in deadline-driven environments.
• You are familiar with the public policy landscape in New York and/or nationally.
• You can prioritize and work on a number of tasks simultaneously.
• You have an exceptional commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.
• You are familiar with:
  
  • The Chicago Manual of Style.
  • Content management systems, such as Squarespace and/or WordPress.
  • Design tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign and Canva).
  • CSS/HTML (not a requirement but a plus).
  • SEO/GEO practices.

Potential candidates with some, but not all, of the listed experience are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome a range of traditional and non-traditional backgrounds as well as opportunities to develop skillsets on the job.
This is a full-time position in New York City. The Associate salary range of $65,000-$85,000 and the Senior Associate salary range is $80,000-$100,000. The role offers excellent benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
• Paid vacation and personal days
• Paid sick leave
• CUNY tuition reimbursement program
• Pre-tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs
• Family/parental leave
• Life insurance
• A retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Our staff also benefit from:
  
  • A positive work/life balance.
  • Opportunities for advancement within the organization.
  • Engagement with the broader CUNY network.
  • Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.

How to Apply
You will need to submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interests and attach your resume/curriculum vitae and links to/attachments of any portfolios or writing samples you'd like to share. Specify whether you are applying to the Associate or Senior Associate position in your cover letter. Questions about the position can be addressed to info@islg.cuny.edu. Application review will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
A note on AI usage: While AI-generated content is increasingly being used in the communications fields, we'd like to note to candidates that the hiring process (the cover letter, in particular) is the employer's first opportunity to gauge the applicant's unique voice and writing ability.
Pay Range:
Minimum - Maximum: Associate salary range of $65,000-$85,000
Minimum - Maximum: Senior Associate salary range of $80,000-$100,000
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.