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Reporting to the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Communications, the Communications Specialist (Staff Writer/Reporter) is responsible for identifying and producing compelling news and feature stories about the people of Yale's Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS), which is home to more than 40 department and programs - spanning the division of Humanities, Social Science, and Science - that provide instruction to the students of Yale College and Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Science.

Working collaboratively with FAS faculty and staff members of the FAS Dean's Office; and counterparts from across the Yale campus to produce feature stories, news stories, faculty profiles and other original content that highlights research and teaching taking place across the FAS for general readers, members of the FAS and University, donors and other key audiences.

The incumbent will coordinate directly with FAS academic departments to stay apprised of FAS faculty scholarship, activities, and achievements, and identify stories relevant to the mission and stated priorities of FAS and the university. They will conduct interviews and background research in order to produce news stories for publication on the FAS website and other university platforms. In addition, the Staff Writer/Reporter will manage the FAS's online newsfeed, pursue opportunities for cross-promotion of FAS-produced content on other platforms or social media channels, and will edit the work of student and freelance writers.

This role primarily involves planning, drafting, formatting, proofreading, and editing of news content. The ideal candidate will be an experienced writer/journalist with a wide-ranging curiosity, an eye for good stories, an understanding of higher education, and exceptional writing and editing skills who can manage multiple assignments simultaneously. While the position will focus on developing news content related to the FAS, there will also be opportunities to create content or copy for video, podcasts, and social media, as well as other communications-related duties, including speechwriting, correspondence, and talking points for the FAS Dean and the FAS Dean's Office, as needed.

The duties listed under the job description are generic in nature; the overview accurately describes the role's primary job responsibilities. The current hybrid work schedule for this position is 4 days on campus with 1 remote workday. You may be required occasionally to work on site more often in a given week due to operational needs. In the event, the university/department transitions to being on campus five days a week, either temporarily or permanently, the hybrid schedule will be suspended or subject to change at management discretion.

Required Skills and Abilities

1: Superior written and oral communication skills; proven ability to articulate ideas in verbal and written communications to a variety of audiences and stakeholders. The ability to write clearly and elegantly, concisely, quickly, and effectively is essential, as is the ability to adapt writing style to a variety of audiences and publications. Superior editing and proofreading skills and experience.

2: Knowledge of digital content production and best practices. Experience proofreading news and feature articles for general audiences. Knowledge and experience of best practices for conducting interviews and background research.

3: Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to work with faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and donors. Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to develop and execute strategic projects. Self-starter with strong work ethic, ability to meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects. Ability to work both collaboratively and independently in an organized and productive manner.

4: Demonstrated experience updating website content using a content management system. Strong computer skills including experience using Microsoft Word and familiarity with research using computer databases and web-based resources.

5: Flexibility, good judgment, and ability to maintain confidential information. Ability to handle challenging and complex situations and create thoughtful, informed, and institutionally aligned responses.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. 1.5+ years of journalism experience and/or experience writing in a nonprofit or higher education setting.

2. Familiarity with practices and trends in higher education a plus.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Write and edit news and features stories, web spotlights, media releases, web content, and a wide array of other content of interest to the FAS's target audiences, including current faculty, prospective faculty, media, donors, alumni, and others.

2. Conduct outreach to FAS departments with the goal of collecting, curating, and writings stories about FAS faculty scholarship, teaching, and accomplishments.

3. Identify and pitch stories that fit into content strategy and/or advance strategic priorities.

4. Develop and exercise a keen understanding of the multiple audiences and contributing University offices involved in a given project to ensure that individual news stories are rolled out within a structure planned in advance and with appropriate communication among key stakeholders.

5. Update, create, and publish news-related content for the FAS Dean's Office website, and updates site as needed. May assist with developing content strategy.

6. Proactively research and suggest content to support and reinforce the FAS's communication goals.

7. Support short and long-term communication planning; work with colleagues across the FAS and Yale to identify, evaluate, and measure the impact of the FAS's communications strategies.

8. Assist with preparing content for video, podcasts, social media, speeches, letters, talking points, presentations, and other documents for the FAS Dean and the FAS Dean's Office.

9. Assist with coordinating with the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, Office of Development, Alumni Association, and others to organize messaging and dissemination of news, and on occasion, assist the FAS Director of Special Media Projects.

10. May supervise the work of administrative staff or student workers.

Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in a related field and four years of related experience.