Director, Publications and Podcast

Rice University•Houston, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rice University seeks an accomplished, creative, and strategic Director of Publications and Podcast to lead editorial storytelling across Rice’s flagship publications and emerging media platforms. Reporting to the Office of Public Affairs, the Director oversees the editorial vision, strategy, and production of Rice Magazine, Rice Research Review, and a new university podcast. The role creates compelling content that advances Rice’s reputation as a leading research university and communicates the people, ideas, discoveries, and impact that define the institution. This senior editorial position translates complex ideas and institutional priorities into engaging journalism for sophisticated audiences. The Director works across the university to develop stories showcasing Rice’s strengths in research, education, innovation, student achievement, faculty excellence, entrepreneurship, community impact, and global engagement. The Director will help define how Rice tells its story across disciplines, platforms, and audiences, while evolving its editorial strategy for digital, audio, social, and emerging platforms. The position is based at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and is hybrid, combining in-office and remote work. It requires regular collaboration with colleagues across campus. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for major university events, interviews, recordings, or publication deadlines. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Applicants must submit three writing samples; the cover letter and resume should be combined into one PDF, and the writing samples into a second PDF, with links also permitted.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, writing, or a related field; additional related experience above the required amount may substitute year-for-year for the education requirement.
Four years of progressively responsible editorial, journalism, or communications experience, including experience leading a publication, editorial operation, or major content portfolio.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce and refine sophisticated narrative journalism.
Proven experience developing and executing editorial strategy.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex subjects into compelling stories for broad audiences.
Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, and contributors simultaneously.
Strong editorial judgment and commitment to accuracy, fairness, clarity, and high-quality storytelling.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, subject-matter experts, and creative professionals.
Applicants are required to submit three writing samples.

Nice To Haves

Six or more years of progressively responsible editorial, journalism, or communications experience.
Experience in higher education, research, science, technology, or another complex institutional environment.
Experience leading a magazine or other high-quality editorial publication.
Experience with podcast development, production, and/or audio storytelling.
Experience managing staff writers, editors, freelancers, and creative vendors.
Experience using audience analytics and digital publishing tools to inform editorial strategy.
Familiarity with emerging approaches to multimedia and AI-assisted content development.
Experience building editorial brands and growing audiences across multiple platforms.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a cohesive editorial strategy for Rice Magazine, Rice Research Review, and the university podcast, aligning content with Rice’s priorities, identity, and institutional voice.
Serve as the senior editorial leader for the publications and podcast, maintaining high standards for journalism, storytelling, accuracy, creativity, and production quality.
Connect individual stories and issues to broader narratives about Rice’s role in higher education, research, and society.
Identify emerging topics, voices, trends, and storytelling opportunities that strengthen Rice’s reputation and distinguish its content from peer institutions.
Develop annual and long-term editorial calendars with Public Affairs colleagues and university leadership.
Ensure content reaches audiences through print, web, email, audio, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Set editorial direction for Rice Magazine, including issue themes, story packages, and priorities; assign, edit, and develop features, profiles, essays, news features, and other content.
Work with writers, photographers, designers, and other creative partners to produce a distinctive, high-quality magazine that reflects the breadth of the university.
Lead editorial strategy and content development for Rice Research Review, translating complex scientific, technological, and scholarly work into accessible stories without sacrificing accuracy or rigor.
Build relationships with faculty, researchers, students, and research leaders to identify discoveries, emerging scholarship, and compelling human stories.
Collaborate with the research communications team and Public Affairs colleagues on coordinated storytelling.
Develop and launch a new Rice University podcast, establishing its editorial concept, voice, format, and audience strategy.
Identify podcast topics and guests and oversee episodes from concept and research through scripting, recording, editing, and distribution.
Create an audio-specific editorial approach and work with internal or external production partners to deliver a polished listening experience.
Develop strategies to grow the podcast audience and integrate it with Rice’s broader editorial and communications efforts.
Write, edit, and shape high-level content as needed, including features, profiles, essays, editorials, interviews, scripts, and other formats.
Assign work to staff and freelance writers and editors, provide clear editorial direction, and coach contributors to strengthen their storytelling and skills.
Edit for accuracy, clarity, narrative structure, tone, voice, and audience engagement, maintaining rigorous journalistic and editorial standards.
Ensure stories represent the diversity of perspectives, disciplines, experiences, and communities at Rice.
Build relationships with university leaders, faculty, researchers, staff, students, and alumni to uncover stories and develop sources.
Partner with Public Affairs colleagues in marketing and brand strategy, news and media relations, research communications, digital communications, social media, and creative services.
Collaborate as appropriate with advancement, alumni relations, admissions, academic schools, and other university partners; serve as a trusted editorial adviser to university leadership and communications colleagues.
Identify opportunities to coordinate storytelling with major university initiatives, milestones, research discoveries, and institutional priorities.
Monitor developments in journalism, publishing, digital media, podcasting, and audience behavior and incorporate relevant innovations into editorial strategy.
Use audience insights and analytics to assess content performance and inform editorial decisions.
Explore multimedia, video, interactive features, newsletters, social storytelling, and other emerging formats; extend the reach and lifespan of major stories across channels.