News and Content Manager

Howard Payne University • Brownwood, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Howard Payne University seeks an exceptional writer and mission-driven storyteller to serve as its News and Content Manager. This position plays a key role on the Marketing and Communications team and serves as one of the university's lead writers and storytellers, identifying, developing and sharing compelling stories that elevate the university's brand, support enrollment growth, strengthen donor engagement and foster meaningful connections with students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university. The successful candidate is a proven writer with excellent news and feature writing skills who proactively identifies, cultivates and tells stories, highlighting the transformative impact of a Christ-centered education. Through strategic storytelling, this individual will communicate Howard Payne University's commitment to preparing students for Christ-centered lives of purpose, leadership and service while showcasing the people, programs and experiences that make HPU distinctive. The News and Content Manager will create compelling written and visual content for multiple platforms, including news releases, the university website, print publications, digital newsletters, advancement materials and the university's social media channels. This position works collaboratively with members of the Marketing and Communications team to extend the reach of university stories through engaging digital content, photography, short-form video and social media. Proven news and feature writing ability, a working knowledge of Associated Press Style, strong editorial judgment, meticulous attention to detail and a passion for storytelling are essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited University or at least one or two years of directly related experience (journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English or a related field), or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations in English
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals effectively
• Ability to present information and respond to questions effectively from groups of students, other employees, trustees and the public
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form in English
• Knowledge of Internet software; spreadsheet software and word processing software; Adobe Creative Cloud, websites
• Working knowledge of Associated Press Style and ability to develop compelling content for multiple communication platforms
• Must be at least 21 years old and maintain a current Texas driver's license to drive any vehicle, including personally owned vehicles, on behalf of the University
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and interview skills with the ability to build relationships across campus
• Self-motivated, creative and proactive with the ability to identify stories independently
• Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith. Displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others. Is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values
• Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data, designs work flows and procedures
• Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; and demonstrates attention to detail
• Develops effective project plans, coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress, completes projects on time and budget, and manages project team activities effectively
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; shares expertise with others
• Manages difficult or emotional situations effectively, solicits feedback to improve service, responds to requests for service and assistance promptly and effectively, meets the commitments they make to others
• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates effective group presentation skills, participates actively in meetings
• Writes clearly and informatively, edits their work for correct spelling and grammar, varies their writing style as needed, presents numerical data effectively, is able to read and interpret written information effectively
• Balances the needs of the team and individual responsibilities effectively, exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, puts the success of the team above their own interests, is able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives, supports everyone's efforts to succeed
• Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust and motivates others to perform well; mobilizes others to fulfill the University’s Mission Statement while embracing the University’s Core Values; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; exhibits self-confidence and confidence in others; influences actions and opinions of others effectively; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
• Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance effectively; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Treats everyone with respect, keeps commitments, inspires others to trust them, works with integrity and ethically, upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values
• Understands the business implications of his or her decisions; displays an orientation to working within approved budgets and University profitability; demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the higher education industry and the University’s competition; aligns his or her work with the University’s Strategic Plan
• Follows policies and procedures consistently, completes administrative tasks correctly and on time, supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values, Benefits the University through external community and professional activities, supports affirmative action and respects diversity
• Develops strategies to achieve the Institutional Priorities in the University’s Strategic Plan, understands the University’s strengths and weaknesses, analyzes the higher education market and competition effectively, identifies external threats and opportunities and adapts their strategy to changing conditions
• Sets and achieves challenging goals, demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles, measures themselves against a high standard of excellence, takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively, uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, if necessary, sets goals and objectives, organizes and schedules other people and their tasks, develops realistic action plans
• Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position, accepts personal responsibility for their own actions, and follows through with commitments
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, looks for ways to improve and promote quality, applies effective feedback to improve performance, and monitors their own work to ensure quality
• Is consistently at work and on time, ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent, arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Displays original thinking and creativity, meets challenges with resourcefulness, generates suggestions for improving work, develops innovative approaches and ideas, and presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention

Nice To Haves

• Training will be provided as needed for photography and short-form video content capture.

Responsibilities

• Serve Howard Payne University as a lead writer and storyteller by proactively identifying, researching and developing compelling stories that communicate the life-changing impact of the university's Christ-centered mission
• Create and write news releases, feature stories, profiles, announcements, social media content and other university publications
• Tell stories that reinforce Howard Payne University's brand promise and support the university's strategic marketing and communications goals
• Conduct interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends and community partners to develop authentic and engaging content
• Develop content that supports enrollment marketing, fundraising initiatives, alumni engagement and institutional advancement
• Create and manage Howard Payne University’s regular e-newsletters
• Maintain a consistent flow of high-quality stories that demonstrate Howard Payne University's local, statewide, national and global impact
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications team members to create engaging social media campaigns and digital content that increase audience engagement, strengthen brand awareness and extend the reach of university stories
• Help develop, manage and maintain an editorial calendar that supports institutional priorities, strategic initiatives and major university events
• Coordinate content planning with academic, student experience, athletics, advancement, enrollment and other university departments
• Edit and proofread all assigned content for grammar, style, consistency, accuracy and clarity
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of Associated Press Style and apply it consistently across university communications
• Verify facts, ensure editorial excellence and uphold the highest standards of accuracy in all published content
• Maintain relationships with local, regional and statewide media while developing and updating strategic media lists for news release distribution and story pitching
• Post news stories to the Howard Payne University website
• Capture photography and short-form video content to support news stories, marketing initiatives and social media; training will be provided as needed
• Assist with website updates and web content as needed
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of news and social content and use insights to improve future storytelling efforts
• Communicate effectively with university departments and offices regarding content development and project needs
• When scheduling permits, attend university events to identify and capture storytelling opportunities
• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with internal and external university constituencies
• Research and stay current on communications, social media and higher education marketing trends, identifying opportunities to strengthen Howard Payne University's storytelling efforts
• Work efficiently, professionally and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Perform other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree