Director of Content

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

22h

About The Position

Whitman College’s most senior writer and editor, the Director of Content develops and executes an integrated content strategy in partnership with the Vice President for Communications. The role manages day-to-day content creation for whitman.edu, Whitman Magazine, admissions and development materials, and other print and digital communications. It supervises at least one regular staff position and directly supervises the managing editor, marketing specialist, and multimedia producer. The Director also provides broad supervision to the senior writer/magazine editor, who serves as managing editor of Whitman Magazine.

The Director works across college print publications and digital channels, including websites, social media, email, video, podcasts, online advertising, search engine optimization, and electronic newsletters. Responsibilities include identifying and developing stories with the campus community, producing and quality-checking content, measuring its effectiveness, and ensuring that content operations are supported by appropriate policies, procedures, budgets, structures, and deadlines. The role also contributes to evolving projects and pursues ongoing professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in a related field.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build productive relationships with college staff, students, faculty, and alumni.
• Sophisticated understanding of how to recognize, develop, and tell compelling stories in print and digital media.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Ability to actively and positively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and access.
• Strong understanding of the digital and multimedia content development process.
• Strong visual sense and understanding of how design supports editorial content.
• Leadership, management, and supervisory skills.
• Strong organization, time management, and budgeting skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with flexibility, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Vice President for Communications to implement a coordinated, cross-channel content strategy that advances the College’s priorities.
• Oversee day-to-day content creation for print publications and digital channels, including assigning stories and content development to staff and freelance writers and producers.
• Directly supervise and manage the managing editor, marketing specialist, and multimedia producer, and provide broad supervision to the senior writer/magazine editor.
• Oversee the editorial direction of Whitman Magazine to ensure the quality, accuracy, timeliness, and appropriateness of its content.
• Work with the campus community to identify stories that support college themes and strategic communications objectives.
• Research, write, edit, and produce content for print, digital, and social media audiences.
• Oversee copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking, and maintain the College’s editorial style guide.
• Use web analytics and qualitative and quantitative methods to assess content performance and improve its impact across channels.
• Ensure effective oversight of content channels through appropriate policies, procedures, budgets, structures, and deadlines.
• Contribute to additional projects and initiatives as needed and engage in ongoing professional development.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance, with the option to elect additional voluntary coverage.
• 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.
• 20 accrued vacation days.
• 12 accrued sick days.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Tuition remission for dependent children.
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director