Senior Writer

Job Profile: Outreach and Marketing Specialist 3

Job Family:

Outreach and Marketing

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Responsible for creating and implementing intermediate to complex marketing campaigns and initiatives to promote the institution's programs, events, and brand.

Job Description:

Position Salary Range: $70,000 - $82,000 per year; DOE

Under general direction of the ASU News editors, the senior writer researches and writes high-level content for university channels, primarily the ASU News website. The senior writer represents ASU News and Arizona State University to the highest standard in front of members of the university community and outside constituencies.

Essential Duties:

• Reports, researches and produces compelling long-form and day-turn journalism for ASU News, covering the most important people, programs, issues and developments of the university.
• Maintains composure, creativity and productivity in a fast-paced environment.
• Converts complicated topics (in fields including, but not limited to, science and technology, engineering, energy, heat and enterprise-level stories) into clear, accessible prose under deadline pressure.
• Develops and works a beat, staying in regular contact with sources inside and outside university schools and departments to generate story ideas and gather information for ongoing reporting efforts.
• Develops story arcs and narratives to tell the story of the New American University to internal and external audiences. Has the ability to execute pitched or assigned stories to land media coverage and external awareness.
• Organizes material, determines emphasis and produces stories for all mediums with an eye toward advanced journalistic style and writing ability.
• Works closely with editor(s) during editing process to clarify storytelling and align presentation with university priorities.
• Develops and maintains close collaborative working relationships with colleagues, faculty and outside constituencies.
• Manages multiple complicated reporting efforts simultaneously, with unyielding attention to detail.
• Creatively generates new and interesting ways to tell stories — from print to video to audio to slideshows to informational graphics and social media executions.
• Works closely with media relations officers inside Media Relations and Strategic Communications to balance the priorities of the university with the demand to produce compelling, engaging storytelling.
• Occasionally pitches own stories directly to outside media.
• Collaborates closely with senior editors, photojournalists, the visuals team, media relations, social media team and the director for ASU News.
• Represents ASU News and Arizona State University to the highest standard in front of members of the university community including, but not limited to, university leadership, deans, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and applicants.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in writing multiple news stories a week, including a mix of day-turns and enterprise, longer-form reporting.
• Experience in building sources, developing and covering a beat.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, grammar and AP style.
• Demonstrated knowledge of media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods including, but not limited to: alternate ways to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social media resources and uses to search for stories and disseminate work.
• Experience in organizing work and meeting various deadlines.
• Experience in the use of computers/software programs and various applications.
• Experience in working on interdisciplinary teams with other journalists.
• Experience in creating new and informative ways of storytelling.
• Experience in picking up high-level concepts quickly and accurately.
• Experience in managing multiple ongoing reporting efforts at once.
  

Working Environment:

• Job duties are performed in and around the four metro Phoenix campuses of Arizona State University. Reporter may cover events including, but not limited to, speeches, lectures, concerts, performances, and sporting events.
• Our office is on the Tempe campus.
• This is an in-office position, though team members have up to two work-from-home days each week.
• May interact with members of the university community including, but not limited to, university leadership, deans, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and applicants.
• Typical work hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekdays, but coverage may include some weekend and evening hours.
• May conduct interviews in academic buildings, office buildings, dormitories, laboratories, inside or outside, and in any and all types of weather.
• Work in the ASU News office may include extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time.
• Lift and carry up to 25 lbs.

Department Statement:

We tell and share the stories of one of the largest public research universities in the country through our team of internal reporters and editors, media and public relations veterans, and a full-service creative team. Our goal is to create content for, distribute content to, and create relationships with audiences around the globe.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub .

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.

Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.

Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at View phone number on aiapply.co.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASUCompensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

A fingerprint check is not required for this position.