Professional Writer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.
Inquiries Regarding Application Status
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of submitted applications. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted using the email and/or phone information provided in the online application. For information regarding our general staff recruitment process, please click here to visit our FAQs web page to see answers for frequently asked questions, including what to expect, timelines, requests for special accommodation, and interviews.
Location:
Claremont, CA
Job Posting Title:
Lead Writer
Job Details and Requirement:
Department: Communications and Marketing
Supervisor: VP for Communications and Marketing
Last Updated: 6/2/2026
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Lead Writer serves as a lead storyteller for Pitzer College, developing compelling content that advances institutional priorities across admissions, advancement, reputation, and community engagement.
Working closely with the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, this position transforms story assignments into high-quality content for multiple audiences and channels. The Lead Writer researches, interviews, writes, and edits stories that showcase the people, ideas, and experiences that define Pitzer while helping extend the reach of those stories across the website, email communications, social media, admissions marketing, advancement communications, campaign materials, digital advertising, and the College magazine.
This role is ideal for a prolific writer who enjoys interviewing people, uncovering meaningful details, and crafting stories that connect with audiences. The successful candidate understands how to take one story and adapt it into multiple formats, ensuring content works effectively across channels while maintaining a consistent voice and narrative.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Office of Communications and Marketing operates through an integrated studio model in which storytelling, design, digital engagement, visual media, and strategic communications are developed collaboratively across teams.

• Write feature stories, profiles, news stories, research stories, donor stories, and institutional narratives.
• Conduct interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, trustees, and community partners.
• Research and develop compelling content that reflects the mission, values, and priorities of Pitzer College.
• Produce clear, engaging, and accurate content on deadline.
• Adapt stories for publication across multiple channels, including the website, email communications, social media, admissions marketing, advancement communications, campaign materials, digital advertising, and the College magazine.
• Identify opportunities to extend the life and impact of stories through multiple formats and audiences.
• Collaborate with social media, photography, design, and digital teams to maximize the reach and impact of content.
• Work with the Vice President and communications team to execute editorial priorities and institutional storytelling goals.
• Contribute story ideas and identify emerging opportunities across campus.
• Collaborate with the Vice President and communications team to translate institutional priorities into compelling audience-centered stories.
• Mentor student writers and contributors as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The individual must possess knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Editorial writing, journalism, and feature-story development.
• Content strategy and audience engagement principles.
• Storytelling techniques across digital and print platforms.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills with a commitment to a team-based work environment.
• Natural aptitude for technology and expertise with MS Office, including expert level use of Excel.
• Ability to problem-solve and use analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative to work proactively, meet deadlines, organize and prioritize multiple projects, think strategically, and work with numbers and data.
• Exhibit personal integrity and ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Exhibit a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and sound professional judgment.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, marketing, or a related field.
• Five or more years of professional writing, journalism, communications, marketing, or editorial experience.
• Exceptional interviewing, writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to translate complex topics into engaging, audience-centered content.
• Experience writing for multiple audiences and communication channels.
• Strong collaboration and project management skills.
• Commitment to inclusive, mission-driven communications.

Licenses/Certifications: None
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Time Type: Full Time
Work Schedule: This is a regular, non-exempt, staff position, working 12 months per year. The regular schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary depending on the operational needs of the College or department, including evenings and weekends as required.
Compensation: Budget Salary Range: $32.00-$34.00 per hour
Pitzer College is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, tuition exchange program participation and more.
Work Model: Hybrid* (2 Days/Wk Remote)

• *Must have access to reliable and secure computer and internet connection.
• *Must have access to a dedicated and suitable workstation at remote location, including desk or table and supporting, upright chair. Must ensure workstation is safe and free from hazards and ergonomically appropriate.

Physical Requirements: This is generally a sedentary position. Must be able to

• Sit for prolonged periods of time and operate a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• You must have the ability to drive locally for events and appointments.

Instructions: Only qualified applicants please.
Application Materials: Upload the following materials to complete your application:

• Cover Letter: Indicate your reason for interest in this position, describe how your qualifications make you an ideal candidate, and explain which of Pitzer's core values best relates to your own.
• Resume: List relevant qualifications and dates of experience.
• Professional References: References will be contacted for select applicants and advance notice will be provided. Provide the names of at least three (3) individuals who can speak to your professional qualifications. Include their business titles, contact information and an indication of how you are acquainted with them (e.g., former supervisor, coworker, etc.).

Employment Requirements
Employment is contingent upon a candidate possessing the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential duties of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Employment is also contingent upon new employees providing documents verifying U.S. citizenship or, for aliens, documents verifying legal permission to work in the United States. For positions requiring the use of a college-owned vehicle, employment is contingent upon a driving record acceptable to the colleges' automobile liability insurance. Final candidates in all staff positions will be required to undergo a background investigation; in addition some positions may require a physical lift test and pulmonary function test.
Covid-19 Vaccination
Pitzer College has mandated the COVID-19 vaccination for all employees. New employees are required to show proof of full vaccination, including booster, against COVID-19 or request a Pitzer College approved medical or religious exemption on or before their first day of employment.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
Pitzer College adheres to both the letter and the spirit of Equal Employment opportunity and Affirmative Action. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, medical condition, or veteran status, in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other College-administered programs, and employment policies. Pitzer strongly encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Safety Report
In compliance with applicable law, Pitzer College publishes an annual report containing statistical information concerning the occurrence of crime on campus and adjacent thereto, as well as policies and practices concerning security. A copy of this report is online at http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/cs/index.asp or by contacting The Claremont Colleges Department of Campus Safety: 251 E. Eleventh Street, Claremont, CA 91711-3947; (909) 621-8170.