American University is a student-centered research institution
located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges,
internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating
meaningful change in the world. Learn more about
American University
Department:
Community Communications
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Work Modality:
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union:
SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.
Job Description:
Summary:
The Writer/Editor identifies, pitches, and crafts compelling, high-impact stories across American University’s flagship enterprise channels. Working closely with the editor and a dynamic creative team of designers, videographers, and photographers, this role drives community-centered storytelling, transforming institutional milestones, research breakthroughs, and individual voices into vibrant narratives for diverse audiences—including prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and more.
In this role, the Writer/Editor researches, reports, and writes engaging content for American magazine, the weekly AU Now newsletter, university web pages, marketing campaigns, and multimedia scripts. The position executes an array of storytelling formats—including in-depth narrative features, profiles, research stories, institutional news, trend pieces, and event coverage (including occasional evenings and weekends). The Writer/Editor experiments with fresh narrative formats, distinct angles, and creative storytelling techniques tailored to shifting audience interests and digital reading habits. Additionally, they deliver polished, accurate, and fact-checked copy on deadline, maintain a consistent brand voice across all media, and actively contribute to pitch meetings, long-term editorial planning, and cross-functional creative strategy to bring the AU story to life.
The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated track record of reporting and writing versatile, engaging stories across print and digital platforms, supported by exceptional interviewing, research, and narrative development skills. They think boldly, embrace creative risk-taking, and pivot seamlessly between fast-turnaround assignments and long-form features. Strong project management skills, meticulous attention to nuance, and a commitment to producing clean copy under tight deadlines are essential, as is a collaborative mindset honed by partnering with visual creatives such as designers, photographers, and videographers. A background in copyediting and proofreading (The Chicago Manual of Style) or multimedia production (scriptwriting, video, or social) is a strong plus.
Essential Functions:
1.) Content Reporting and Development
Department:
Community Communications
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Work Modality:
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union:
SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.
Job Description:
Summary:
The Writer/Editor identifies, pitches, and crafts compelling, high-impact stories across American University’s flagship enterprise channels. Working closely with the editor and a dynamic creative team of designers, videographers, and photographers, this role drives community-centered storytelling, transforming institutional milestones, research breakthroughs, and individual voices into vibrant narratives for diverse audiences—including prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and more.
In this role, the Writer/Editor researches, reports, and writes engaging content for American magazine, the weekly AU Now newsletter, university web pages, marketing campaigns, and multimedia scripts. The position executes an array of storytelling formats—including in-depth narrative features, profiles, research stories, institutional news, trend pieces, and event coverage (including occasional evenings and weekends). The Writer/Editor experiments with fresh narrative formats, distinct angles, and creative storytelling techniques tailored to shifting audience interests and digital reading habits. Additionally, they deliver polished, accurate, and fact-checked copy on deadline, maintain a consistent brand voice across all media, and actively contribute to pitch meetings, long-term editorial planning, and cross-functional creative strategy to bring the AU story to life.
The ideal candidate brings a demonstrated track record of reporting and writing versatile, engaging stories across print and digital platforms, supported by exceptional interviewing, research, and narrative development skills. They think boldly, embrace creative risk-taking, and pivot seamlessly between fast-turnaround assignments and long-form features. Strong project management skills, meticulous attention to nuance, and a commitment to producing clean copy under tight deadlines are essential, as is a collaborative mindset honed by partnering with visual creatives such as designers, photographers, and videographers. A background in copyediting and proofreading (The Chicago Manual of Style) or multimedia production (scriptwriting, video, or social) is a strong plus.
Essential Functions:
1.) Content Reporting and Development
Identify, report, and write a wide range of print and multimedia content for American University’s flagship enterprise channels, including American magazine, AU Now, university web pages, marketing campaigns, and multimedia scripts. Research story ideas, develop interview questions, cultivate on- and off-the-record sources, and produce clear, concise, and colorful copy for assignments ranging from 200-word department pieces to 3,000-word features to a holiday video script. Copyedit and proofread…