Knox College
Knox College, a nationally ranked liberal arts college, seeks a College Writer & Media Relations Specialist to join its Communication team and help share the stories and amplify the brand of this historic College on the prairie. The College Writer & Media Relations Specialist is responsible for researching and writing high-quality content for external and internal audiences across digital and print publications, including news and feature stories; press releases and media advances; profiles of Knox students, faculty, and alumni; stories for the bi-annual Knox Magazine; and e-newsletters, among other communications. This position will also help build the College's reputation across local, regional, national, and industry-specific media.
The College Writer & Media Relations Specialist will ensure that communications across all media support the College's strategic priorities and key marketing messages through creativity and innovation, while maintaining a strong commitment to the authenticity and integrity of the educational program. Daily project management, ensuring key College publications and announcements are produced on time and shepherded through appropriate review processes, is expected. This position will also manage the day-to-day activities of student writers and assist with coverage of major College events.
Primary Duties:
Write, prepare, and/or review articles and other content to be used in publications for external and internal audiences. Produce and edit the monthly Gizmogram e-newsletter, as well as the Knox Family Connect parent newsletter and portal. Develop relationships and communicate effectively and collegially with colleagues and stakeholders across the College. Write news releases, media advancers, and pitches to promote Knox College news, thought leadership, or faculty/staff/student/alumni accomplishments. Create and distribute student "hometown" news stories using Merit Pages. Monitor media coverage, track relevant news and trends, and develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and industry-specific media outlets. Conduct research for communications projects, including interviewing subject matter experts. Assist with crisis communications and rapid response efforts. Manage multiple, concurrent projects and assignments for timely delivery, utilizing the office's project management system, and Make sure all work follows editorial policies and standards. Participates in identifying appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) and evaluating the success of communication projects. Engage in approved professional learning as needed to grow and adapt to ongoing developments within the organization and industry Participate in initiatives to define/refine and communicate organizational processes, practices, and tools. Hours must be flexible and may include night and weekend hours to meet deadlines and cover campus events.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications, English, or journalism. A minimum of three years of experience in communications or journalism, including copywriting on deadline. A solid understanding of the media landscape, including how to identify newsworthy stories and build relationships with journalists. Excellent writing ability; high level of attention to detail, especially in proofreading; ability to gather and synthesize a large volume of information quickly and translate it into a coherent, marketable, and newsworthy form; ability to clearly communicate College mission and messages in stories, news releases, and marketing materials is essential. The ideal candidate will have a general familiarity with visual design programs, such as the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as a basic understanding of HTML or Web publishing programs; and have experience with Asana or other project management systems.
Please submit writing samples or a portfolio along with your application.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.
The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College's policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment should be directed to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance identified below. The coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College's policies and procedures.
Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7751
Email: cultureofrespect@knox.edu
Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance, the United States Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Phone: 312-730-1560
Email: ocr@ed.gov
Inquiries regarding the College's policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 504") should be directed to either the Human Resources Manager or Director of Disability Support Services identified below.
For Employees:
Human Resources
Administrative Services Bldg - 112 | Campus Box K-200
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7474
Email: hr@knox.edu
For Students:
Director of Disability Support Services
Stephanie Grimes
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone: 309-341-7478
Email: sgrimes@knox.edu
Learn more about our policies and procedures.
The College Writer & Media Relations Specialist will ensure that communications across all media support the College's strategic priorities and key marketing messages through creativity and innovation, while maintaining a strong commitment to the authenticity and integrity of the educational program. Daily project management, ensuring key College publications and announcements are produced on time and shepherded through appropriate review processes, is expected. This position will also manage the day-to-day activities of student writers and assist with coverage of major College events.
Primary Duties:
Write, prepare, and/or review articles and other content to be used in publications for external and internal audiences. Produce and edit the monthly Gizmogram e-newsletter, as well as the Knox Family Connect parent newsletter and portal. Develop relationships and communicate effectively and collegially with colleagues and stakeholders across the College. Write news releases, media advancers, and pitches to promote Knox College news, thought leadership, or faculty/staff/student/alumni accomplishments. Create and distribute student "hometown" news stories using Merit Pages. Monitor media coverage, track relevant news and trends, and develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and industry-specific media outlets. Conduct research for communications projects, including interviewing subject matter experts. Assist with crisis communications and rapid response efforts. Manage multiple, concurrent projects and assignments for timely delivery, utilizing the office's project management system, and Make sure all work follows editorial policies and standards. Participates in identifying appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) and evaluating the success of communication projects. Engage in approved professional learning as needed to grow and adapt to ongoing developments within the organization and industry Participate in initiatives to define/refine and communicate organizational processes, practices, and tools. Hours must be flexible and may include night and weekend hours to meet deadlines and cover campus events.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications, English, or journalism. A minimum of three years of experience in communications or journalism, including copywriting on deadline. A solid understanding of the media landscape, including how to identify newsworthy stories and build relationships with journalists. Excellent writing ability; high level of attention to detail, especially in proofreading; ability to gather and synthesize a large volume of information quickly and translate it into a coherent, marketable, and newsworthy form; ability to clearly communicate College mission and messages in stories, news releases, and marketing materials is essential. The ideal candidate will have a general familiarity with visual design programs, such as the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as a basic understanding of HTML or Web publishing programs; and have experience with Asana or other project management systems.
Please submit writing samples or a portfolio along with your application.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.
The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College's policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment should be directed to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance identified below. The coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College's policies and procedures.
Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7751
Email: cultureofrespect@knox.edu
Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance, the United States Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Phone: 312-730-1560
Email: ocr@ed.gov
Inquiries regarding the College's policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 504") should be directed to either the Human Resources Manager or Director of Disability Support Services identified below.
For Employees:
Human Resources
Administrative Services Bldg - 112 | Campus Box K-200
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7474
Email: hr@knox.edu
For Students:
Director of Disability Support Services
Stephanie Grimes
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone: 309-341-7478
Email: sgrimes@knox.edu
Learn more about our policies and procedures.