Executive Writer & Editor

Nashville Public Radio; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado College is seeking an Executive Writer & Editor to shape the college's voice across executive communications, internal messaging, public relations, marketing, and campus content. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Communications, the role writes and edits presidential remarks and provides editorial services that align with the college's brand.

The position blends strategy and execution, requiring strong writing, editorial judgment, collaboration, and the ability to adapt

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in writing, editing, or executive communications.
• Proven experience developing remarks and content for executives, preferably in an academic or nonprofit setting.
• Must be an exceptional writer and collaborative leader.

Responsibilities

• Lead writer for presidential remarks, speeches, and executive messaging.
• Draft talking points, op-eds, and ghostwritten content for senior leaders.
• Develop and maintain the college's executive visibility strategy across platforms and channels.
• Editorial leadership and primary editor for OCM materials across communications.
• Write and edit a wide range of institutional content for announcements, web copy, and newsletters.
• Collaborate across departments to produce content for CC Stories and other owned media.

Skills

Executive communications

Speechwriting

Editorial leadership

AP style

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field

Tools

CMS platforms

Job description

Job Title: Executive Writer & Editor

Department: OCM Administration

Campus Location: Main Campus

FLSA Status: Nonexempt/Hourly

Position Type / Work Schedule

• 2080 Hours per year
• 12 Months per year
• 40 Hours per week (Estimated)

About Us

Colorado College is a nationally recognized, residential liberal arts college with 2,100 students from around the world. Employees set the stage for student success by bringing their diverse experience and knowledge to the table. The college actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment in which students and employees of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives can learn and work.

Job Summary

The Executive Writer & Editor plays a central role in shaping Colorado College's voice through high-quality, high-impact content that supports institutional priorities and elevates executive and College visibility. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Communications, this position is responsible for writing, editing, and editorial strategy support across executive communications, internal messaging, public relations, marketing, and campus-wide content needs. This includes serving as the principle writer for presidential and executive remarks as well as supporting communications on major initiatives and providing editorial services and style oversight in alignment with college brand messaging.

The role is both strategic and executional, requiring exceptional writing, editorial judgment, and collaboration to ensure communications are clear, compelling, and aligned with the college's voice and values.

Responsibilities

• Executive & Presidential Communications:
• Serve as the lead writer for presidential remarks, speeches, and executive messaging.
• Draft talking points, op-eds, and ghostwritten communications for senior leaders, ensuring that messaging is clear, compelling, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Support the development of the college's executive visibility strategy and help ensure consistency in executive communications across platforms, audiences, and communication channels.
• Editorial Leadership & Content Strategy:
• Develop and maintain a consistent editorial voice aligned with Colorado College's brand and messaging framework.
• Provide editorial leadership and serve as the primary editor for OCM materials across internal and external communications, ensuring clarity, appropriate tone, and alignment with brand standards and institutional priorities.
• Create and manage a central "proof point" library of college facts, rankings, outcomes, and key messages in collaboration with OCM leadership to support consistency across communications.
• Writing & Editing for Institutional Messaging:
• Write and edit a wide range of institutional content, including announcements, web copy, feature stories, and internal updates.
• Adapt messaging across platforms to ensure the appropriate tone, length, and format for email, web, talking points, newsletters, and other communication channels.
• Review content produced by other writers and contributors to support editorial consistency.
• Serve as a primary writer and contributor for feature articles for CC Stories, the alumni magazine, and other owned media outlets, and collaborate with colleagues across departments to produce content for digital, email, and print communications.
• Cross-Campus Strategic Writing & Communications Support:
• Serve as a strategic writing partner across departments and support messaging and content development during flashpoints or crisis communications when requested.
• Maintain awareness of trends in higher education communications, speechwriting, and editorial best practices to support effective and current communications work.

Collaboration Skills

Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation f sensitive issues, stressful or complex interactions with the community, and requires high levels of tact and the ability to respond to escalated interpersonal interactions.

Technical Knowledge

Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in writing, editing, or executive communications.
• Proven experience developing remarks and content for executives, preferably in an academic or nonprofit setting.
• Must be an exceptional writer and collaborative leader.

One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Deep understanding of editorial standards, institutional voice, and brand tone.
• Familiarity with executive communications practices and speechwriting techniques.
• Awareness of higher education trends and the communication needs of a mission-driven institution.
• Knowledge of AP style and editorial guidelines.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for a variety of formats and audiences.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives.
• Proficiency in using content development tools, web CMS platforms, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong project and time management skills with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while aligning content with strategic goals.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize shifting demands.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with executives, colleagues, and stakeholders across the institution.
• Ability to uphold discretion and sensitivity in handling confidential or high-profile communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with higher education communications and campus community engagement.
• Experience supporting leadership communications or strategic messaging in a complex organization.

Applicants are welcome to apply even if you do not meet the preferred qualifications. We value diverse perspectives and encourage individuals with a genuine interest in the role to submit their applications.

Other Position Details

• Does not supervise others
• Position will not drive CC vehicles

To help us stay connected with you throughout the hiring process, we encourage you to apply using a personal email address instead of a Colorado College email address.

In alignment with our commitment to reduce potential bias in hiring, applicants may redact any information that discloses their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from educational institutions on resumes, certifications, transcripts, or other application materials. There will be no penalties for the omission of such information.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range

• $27.93 to $33.52 per hour