Editor and Speech Writer

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus

Los Angeles (CA)

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus invites applications for an Editor and Speechwriter to join the UCLA Samueli Newsroom. The role develops content, manages an editorial calendar, edits submissions, and drafts original stories for major research initiatives in collaboration with marketing communications staff and department colleagues.

Qualifications include at least 5 years in daily news copyediting or senior newsroom roles, strong storytelling, AP

Qualifications

A minimum of 5 years of full-time daily news copyediting or comparable professional news media experience as a senior newsroom editor and writer.
Experience with speech and script writing and editing for major events and/or marketing videos (Preferred).
Experience in covering science and technology beat or section (Preferred).
Strong skill in storytelling, transforming technical information into polished, easy-to-understand materials.
Familiarity with WordPress publishing and posting content with imagery/videos.
Interpersonal skills to work with university administrators, students, faculty, alumni and donors.
News judgment to organize stories for journalists and public.
Problem-solving to address editorial issues and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and meet priorities and deadlines.
Ability to work outside regular hours for breaking news or time-sensitive projects.

Responsibilities

Develop content for the UCLA Samueli Newsroom and edit submissions.
Maintain and follow an annual editorial calendar aligned with themes and guidelines.
Review drafts and revise collaboratively with writers and stakeholders.
Write original stories for major research initiatives and collaborate with campus editors.
Interview relevant individuals for features and provide clear, engaging narratives.
Coordinate with CMO and communications colleagues on deadlines and editorial needs.

Skills

News copyediting

Speech & script writing

Science & tech beat

Storytelling

WordPress publishing

Interpersonal skills

News judgment

Problem solving

Time management

Adaptive schedule

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism or related field

Tools

WordPress

Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants

Hybrid role: Minimum 3 days on-site weekly.

Cover Letter: A position-specific cover letter is required as part of the application.

Writing Samples: Three relevant writing samples are required (e.g., press releases or published news articles related to STEM topics). Please either: Upload your resume and all three writing samples together as a single PDF or Word document, or copy and paste your writing samples into the Cover Letter section of the application.

Department Summary

The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering Office of Marketing Communications spearheads marketing communications strategies and branding initiatives, manages internal and external communications, and develop digital and print content and branded materials for the Birthplace of the Internet and UCLA's largest professional school that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. UCLA Samueli faculty are at the forefront of many exciting research areas, including robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computational medicine, climate change, sustainability, quantum computing, data sciences, cryptography and many other emerging technologies. Along with promoting groundbreaking faculty research, the office also highlights achievements of students and alumni, schoolwide initiatives and programs, as well as UCLA Samueli's many collaborations with industry partners and leading national and state government or nonprofit entities.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Dean and Chief Marketing Communications Officer (CMO), the Editor and Speechwriter (ESW) works with UCLA Samueli marketing communications staff, colleagues from seven departments, an affiliated department, as well as other academic and administrative units across the school to develop content for the UCLA Samueli Newsroom. The ESW will contribute to and help maintain, an annual editorial calendar in accordance with established themes, priorities and editorial guidelines. The ESW is responsible for reviewing draft submissions, providing editing and working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to complete revisions as needed. The UCLA Samueli Newsroom generally follows the Associated Press style guide and uses a WordPress web content management system. The ESW also collaborates with marketing communications staff to identify and select appropriate graphics and imagery, including photographs, videos, charts and graphs, captions and credit attributions to accompany stories on the UCLA Samueli Newsroom, and content distributed to media. For major research stories or initiatives, the ESW will also interview relevant individuals and write original stories for publication and collaborate with campus Newsroom editorial staff to support publication of UCLA Samueli stories on the main campus Newsroom. Using existing or new monthly data and insights, the ESW will collaborate with writers and colleagues to produce content that supports UCLA Samueli's communications goals and reaches target mainstream and trade meda as well as other audiences (alumni and industry collaborators, prospective faculty and students, etc.) The ESW works on multiple assignments with competing deadlines based on administrative priorities, academic journals' publication dates for faculty research studies, launch dates for major initiatives and other considerations as determined by the CMO. The ESW coordinates assigned projects and communicates regularly with the CMO and communications colleagues regarding project status, deadlines and editorial needs. The ESW will draft and edit remarks for the Dean and other senior leadership of UCLA Samueli for various school events and outside speaking engagements. To ensure consistent messaging, the ESW will also edit official statements and presentations by the dean and other school leadership, monthly digital newsletters, media advisories and other marketing communications print or digital materials produced by the Office of Marketing Communications or other school units.

Salary & Compensation

UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

A minimum of 5 years of full-time daily news copyediting or comparable professional news media experience as a senior newsroom editor and writer with a digital and/or daily print publication. (Required)

Experience with speech and script writing and editing for major events and/or marketing videos (Preferred)

Experience in covering science and technology beat or section (Preferred)

1. Strong skill in storytelling, transforming technical information into polished, easy-to- understand, compelling, well-organized, fact-checked and grammatically correct news releases, feature articles, briefs, media advisories and other communications materials within established deadlines. (Required)

2. Familiarity with WordPress publishing and ability to post website content in an aesthetically pleasing manner, including imagery and videos as needed. (Required)

3. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with university administrators, students, faculty and staff, alumni, volunteers, community leaders, and current and prospective donors. (Required)

4. News judgment and skill in organizing stories and news releases to maximize interest from journalists and the general public. (Required)

5. Demonstrated problem-solving ability to address editorial and project issues, professionalism and sound judgment. (Required)

6. Ability to work independently on assigned projects and and follow through in accordance with established priorities, guidelines and deadlines. (Required)

7. Skill in using a computer for word processing, email, calendaring, database and online research. (Required)

8. Ability to work outside of regular office hours when necessary, including some evenings, weekends and occasional holidays due to breaking news or other time-sensitive projects. Must be willing and able to respond to urgent inquiries by phone, text, email, etc. outside of office hours as needed. (Required)

9. Other Requirements - Applies to all Positions: Performs other duties as assigned, complies with all policies and standards and complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism or related field and extensive experience with AP Style or equivalent combination of education and experience (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment