Hobart and William Smith Colleges is hiring: Associate Director of Communication

Location

Open Date

The Associate Director is a highly skilled and creative writer and editor providing leadership on a variety of print and digital projects, most prominently The Pulteney Street Survey, the signature publication for HWS alumni. The Associate Director oversees the workflow of the magazine, creates and maintains a story ideas library, and writes features and copy. In addition, this person manages Campaign content and advancement stories that highlight HWS’ fundraising efforts, donor engagement and the impact of philanthropic support. The Associate Director is a talented storyteller, a strategic thinker and a leader who is passionate about creating compelling content that resonates with alumni, donors and the broader HWS community.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Magazine Editorial Leadership: Serve as the editor of the HWS alumni magazine, overseeing all aspects of editorial planning, content development, writing, editing and production. Ensure the magazine reflects the mission, vision and values of HWS while engaging a diverse alumni readership. Stay current on the activities of alumni, parents, faculty, staff and students to create and maintain a story ideas library.

Content Strategy and Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive content strategy that supports HWS’ advancement and Campaign objectives. Identify, research and write compelling stories that highlight the impact of philanthropy, donor profiles, alumni achievements and institutional priorities. Write and edit other stories as assigned including news releases, letters, brochures and other collateral materials.

Advancement Story Management: Collaborate closely with the Office of Advancement to manage the flow of stories related to the Campaign, fundraising initiatives, donor relations, scholarships and other philanthropic efforts. Ensure a consistent and strategic approach to storytelling across all advancement communications.

Cross-Platform Content Coordination: Work with colleagues in Marketing and Communications to adapt and repurpose content for the website, social media channels, newsletters, and other digital platforms, ensuring alignment with HWS’ brand and messaging.

Editorial Calendar and Workflow Management: Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for the magazine and advancement stories. Manage the workflow from concept to publication, coordinating with writers, designers, photographers and other contributors to meet deadlines.

Quality Control and Editing: Edit and proofread content for clarity, accuracy, style and tone, ensuring consistency with HWS editorial guidelines and brand voice. Provide feedback and guidance to writers and contributors to maintain high-quality standards.

Collaboration and Leadership: Lead collaborative efforts with the Marketing and Communications team, Advancement, Alumni Relations, and other campus partners to ensure integrated and strategic communication efforts.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This is a full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible position. This position description is not all-inclusive as other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic year, with a possible shortened workweek during the scheduled summer hours’ time period. Potential for remote work for some portion of the week. Salary range is $70,000 - $75,000.

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in editorial management, content creation, or journalism, preferably in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or a related field.
• Proven experience in managing editorial publications, with a strong portfolio of written and edited work.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, with a deep understanding of narrative techniques and audience engagement strategies.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of fundraising communications and the role of advancement in higher education.