Managing Editor

Santa Clara University•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's, Ph.D., and law degrees. Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California's oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world. Through strategic, cross-platform storytelling, the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) division supports Santa Clara University’s highest strategic priorities. UMC units include brand strategy; design and visual identity; social and earned media; web and digital communications; content and editorial; and crisis, internal, and executive communications. UMC produces Santa Clara’s award-winning University magazine, and, as the University’s central communications unit, works closely with other University communicators to build community, share best practices, and offer training and support for consistent and effective brand storytelling. This is a critical position within the newly created Content and Media team, which comprises Storytelling, Media Relations, Santa Clara Magazine, and Social and Emerging Media. The position holder will help drive that integration and be a key contributor to our efforts to define our voice and editorial focus and philosophy, and to find new ways to collaborate across teams and the university so that we can best support the university’s highest priorities. A. POSITION PURPOSE Reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) of University Marketing and Communications, the Managing Editor, Santa Clara Magazine is responsible for the management of Santa Clara Magazine , the University's flagship publication. This is a full-time position on the Content and Media team within University Marketing and Communications. The purpose of this role is to identify, assign, and edit and write high-impact stories for publication in Santa Clara magazine that are aligned with our editorial philosophy and brand and voice standards; lead the direction, assignment, and coordination of appropriate art for storytelling purposes, including but not limited to still photography and illustration; and oversee and have responsibility for the process by which stories move from conception to publication across platforms. In collaboration with leaders and colleagues across the UMC team, the position holder will be expected to continuously develop the publication so that it meets the latest trends and best practices in storytelling in a way that is consistent with our editorial philosophy and brand standards and supports the highest strategic needs of the University. The position holder will collaborate across teams to develop content and will be expected to support and engage in UMC’s efforts to integrate Santa Clara Magazine, Storytelling, Media, and Social & Emerging Media into a consolidated Content and Media team.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of print and digital story planning, editing, and production processes.
Thorough familiarity with editorial style (AP and Chicago), grammar, and punctuation, and the highest level of competency in copy editing and proofreading.
Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution.
Proven skills in management of people and projects: planning, organizing, and following through, with ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of performance in a fast-paced environment.
Outstanding writing and editing skills, including breadth and depth and creativity in approaches to finding and telling true stories.
Hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including lnCopy, Acrobat, and lnDesign, and versatility with print and digital design and publishing are required.
The successful candidate should demonstrate an ability to learn new software and processes quickly.
Proven ability to initiate, lead, and manage projects from beginning to end with a strong understanding of strategy, choice and editorial focus.
Strong desire to work across platforms (i.e., integrate print content into current and evolving digital platforms, and digital content into print).
Experience working in large, complex, multifaceted organizations, and the tact, sensitivity and diplomacy that is required to work with stakeholders and collaborators from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and levels of experience.
Experience with supervising work of coworkers, students, and contractors.
In addition, the position holder will be expected to be a highly collaborative and communicative member of the team, who is open to and enthusiastic about new ideas and approaches to help us achieve our goals, and to serve as a leader within the organization as we build and advance our brand and editorial philosophy and continuously improve and innovate on our products.
Bachelor's degree required.
Eight to ten years of marketing, media relations, editorial/content, or communications experience, preferably in a higher education environment.
Minimum of eight years full-time related work experience, and proven success at writing and/or editing for a national or international audience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with additional components of Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator, and project management software; familiarity with WordPress, HTML, and/or TerminalFour or other content management systems, and with search engine optimization, AI search optimization, and meta tags.
Graduate degree preferred.
Supervisory or management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage, oversee and plan the publication’s digital and print editions, including scheduling and flow of all content to create a world-class publication that is consistent with our brand and supports the university’s highest strategic priorities.
Identify, assign, edit, and write high-impact stories for publication in the Santa Clara Magazine that are aligned with our editorial philosophy, brand, and voice standards.
Lead the direction, assignment, and coordination of appropriate art, including but not limited to still photography and illustration.
Direct writing, copy editing, fact-checking, and proofing so that we are consistently producing an accurate, error-free, world-class publication at the highest professional standard.
Identify, hire, and oversee world-class freelance writers, illustrators, photographers, designers, and other creatives and vendors to produce work that is consistent with our brand and editorial philosophy and of the highest professional standard (all while staying within budgetary limitations).
Ensure correct permissions are obtained for the use of copyrighted and trademarked images, writing, etc. featured in the Magazine, in print and/or online.
Manage negotiations with outside partners to gain permission to reprint works.
Respond to reader inquiries in a timely and appropriate way.
Ensures the mailing list is clear of duplication and responsive to university needs, and manages relationships with the press and mailing/distribution, including (where necessary) attending press checks.
Supports the AVP to drive integration across the Content and Media team.
Ensures that all stories are reflective of Santa Clara University’s brand and editorial philosophy and support the University’s highest priorities.
Establishes and maintains strong positive relationships with leaders and members of the alumni community and on campus.
Conducts regular audience surveys and ensures that data is used for continuous improvement of editorial products.
Contributes to growth of readership of digital content.
Collaborates across the team to develop content, including social, video, design, and storytelling.
Collaborates with the AVP to find new mediums and ways to share magazine content to advance the University’s goals.
Serves as a member of UMC’s leadership team. In this capacity, directors are expected to help shape UMC’s overall direction, model UMC’s organizational values, and show flexibility in adapting UMC’s communications efforts to best advance overall University leadership priorities.
As communication practices and trends evolve, stay abreast of developments in their field, and help guide their teams in implementing best practice efforts.
Other duties as assigned.