News Officer
POSITION DETAILS:
EMPLOYER: University of Pennsylvania, Office of University Communications, Philadelphia, PA
TITLE: News Officer
CATEGORY: Editorial / Writing, TYPE: Full-time, SALARY RANGE: $65,000-78,000
JOB POSTING ANNOUNCEMENT: https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3901-Walnut-Street-Suite-200/News-Officer_JR00094323
DESCRIPTION: Come work with me in Philly! This is a hybrid-eligible job based in Penn’s main communications office and reporting to the Director for News and Media.
The news officer/writer will handle writing and media relations for assigned beats at Penn. They will cover political science, law, history, Penn Global, and represent other schools, centers, and departments as assigned. The position will also write for publications including Penn Today and Research@Penn.
Job Responsibilities
With minimum supervision, she/he/they will:
Develop and maintain relationships across the University to source and write news releases to pitch national, regional, and local media and source, pitch, and write news articles and feature stories for campus print;
Interview faculty, students, administrators and other employees to investigate story possibilities and research background materials to meet editorial goals and deadlines;
Maintain working relationship with writers, editors, and others at external news media; work with media to place materials most effectively;
Promote and reinforce Penn’s reputation as a world-renowned research university through institutional messaging, story sourcing and pitching, responding to media, content prioritization, brand management, and image choices. Develop a high profile and recognition of self and department in area of assigned responsibility to encourage communication that will result in positive news placements;
Maintain a monthly report documenting editorial assignments and earned media;
Perform any other appropriate tasks as assigned by the Director for News and Media, Director of Media Relations, or Associate Vice President for University Communications.
QUALIFICATIONS: Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
A strong writing background and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; at least four years’ professional journalism and/or public relations experience;
Superb reporting and writing skills and a demonstrated ability to gather, research, and write news professionally; ability to work well with faculty and administration and translate sometimes technical academic subjects for lay audiences;
A working knowledge of social media and multi-media;
Experience in dealing with major national and international media and a solid understanding of and commitment to the highest professional public relations standards; knowledge of news media operations and the ability to communicate with the wide range of personalities in the media;
A commitment to work within the University’s established organizational structure;
A commitment to independent higher education in general and to the University of Pennsylvania in particular.
Reporting to the Director for News and Media the news officer will have a strong writing background and experience in dealing with major national and international media, as well as experience with social media and multi-media is highly desired. Seeking a self-starter who can see the broad picture while also attending to details, who can work with Ivy League deans and faculty, someone who is a team player, understands institutional communications, and is also able to work independently. Position requires superb reporting and writing skills and candidates must provide writing samples or may be asked to take a writing test.
CLOSING DATE: August 20, 2024
CONTACT: Heather Davis