Writer/Editor

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

Community Communications

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

ExemptHybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

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.

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 content as needed.

2.) Editorial Planning and Source Cultivation

• Collaborate closely with the editor to brainstorm story concepts, plan dynamic editorial calendars, and develop enterprise packages for the university. Identify students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members with compelling narratives; cultivate a robust network of sources across campus and beyond; conduct background research; and track emerging trends in higher education, alumni communications, and digital media.

3.) Digital Production and CMS Support

• Build and publish stories within the content management system (CMS), assisting with the ongoing maintenance and digital presentation of the university’s news and magazine sites.

4.) Other Duties as Assigned

• Support broader university communications initiatives and perform other related editorial or creative duties as needed.

Competencies:

• Displaying Creativity.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Developing Plans.
• Thinking Broadly.
• Supporting Coworkers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.
• Hybrid work modality (three days in the office).

Salary Range:

• $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 5 - 8 years of relevant experience.
• At least five years of professional writing experience—preferably with a news outlet or higher education institution.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Strong writing, copyediting, and proofreading skills, along with familiarity with videography, social media, and digital publishing.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial approach to their work, capable of juggling competing priorities and deadlines while thriving under pressure.
• Confident interviewer and savvy researcher.
• Excellent news judgment, strong diplomacy skills, and ease in both academic and non-academic settings.
• Proven ability to write compelling, accurate content in a variety of styles for diverse audiences.
• Collegial and flexible team player who brings empathy, a collaborative spirit, and a good sense of humor.
• Ability to seamlessly transition from interviewing the university president for a magazine feature to shooting tiny-mic videos with students on the quad.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email 

AsuccessfulU@american.edu

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American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.