Associate News Editor

Title: Associate News Editor

Executive Area: University Relations

College/School/MBU: News and Media Relations

Department: News and Media Relations

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

Using multimedia news gathering skills, exercising sound editorial judgment and working independently, the Associate News Editor develops and disseminates information highlighting the achievements of the campus, its faculty and community to local, regional, national and global news media.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of News and Media Relations, this role plays an essential part in amplifying the university's triumphs, ventures, and the pivotal role it plays in shaping the lives of its students for the common good. A primary focus is promoting research and expertise from the university's schools and colleges, including opportunities tied to published research and breaking news.

The position requires research skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of audiences, including news media, administrators, faculty, staff, students, public officials, alumni and donors. The job requires being available outside of normal business hours as needed, such as during commencement or other important events.

Essential Functions

Identify, research and produce breaking news pitches, expert tip sheets, news releases, feature stories, news summaries, and social media content.

Facilitate strategic placement of stories in local, regional, national and global media that ladder up to institutional priorities.

Work closely with college and school officials within the university, particularly campus communicators and deans, to develop an earned media plan for their respective beat and in responding promptly to reporters' inquiries.

Identify opportunities for creating video, audio and photo content.

Develop and curate media distribution lists and cultivate relationships with local, regional and national reporters.

Track media coverage generated and analyze trends.

Advise faculty, administrators and staff on how to appear before the media, including preparing briefing material, crafting the message, fielding questions and assessing public perception of the university.

Exhibit the utmost discretion to keep information confidential or under embargo until it is released publicly.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned.

If requested, serve on occasion as a spokesperson for the campus.

If requested, serve on the emergency communications team as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to accurately translate technical or scholarly information into common language.

Familiarity with scientific communications (e.g., artificial intelligence, computational biology, machine learning and robotics) is desired.

Knowledge of social media and its use in media relations.

Familiarity with workplace collaboration software such as Teams and project management software like Asana.

Excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a wide range of audiences, including the university community, the public, alumni and donors, and members of the press.

Ability to work independently and as a team member, exercising sound judgment under deadline conditions.

Strong time-management abilities.

Additional Details

About University Relations

University Relations tells the impressive story of UMass Amherst: its faculty and their global research, its students who are preparing to lead, the hundreds of thousands of alumni who make the world a better place every day. The broad portfolio of University Relations includes marketing and communications, media relations, government relations, community relations, event planning, economic development and regional partnerships, and New England Public Media (NEPM)-the region's premier public radio station. University Relations harnesses the resources and expertise of these distinct entities in a coordinated and strategic way to ensure that the powerful message of the University of Massachusetts Amherst reaches all its varied audiences, both internal and external.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday; 37.5 hours/week.

This position will require being available outside of normal business hours as needed.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 27

Click here to view the Professional Staff Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please include a cover letter, resume, and portfolio including three writing samples with your application. Candidates advancing in the search process may be asked to complete a brief writing assessment. This will help us evaluate core writing competencies relevant to the role.

References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.