Staff Writer & News Manager

Title:
Staff Writer & News Manager

Department:
Communications Leadership

Reports To:
Executive Director Content Planning & Intelligence

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The staff writer & news manager performs assigned writing duties such as writing for stories for the NJIT Newsroom, marketing and PR copy, and other publications. The position is also the university liaison for media relations, and manages the public-facing expert database and media tools. This entails coordinating with contracted media management firm(s); pitching NJIT experts and stories to news outlets, trade publications, EurekAlert, and others; the coordination of external requests for commentary; and regular updates for expert database(s).

Essential Functions:
-Responsible for a wide variety of assignments, such as writing and/or editing internal and external communications, copywriting, letters, emails, news/feature stories, media pitches, press releases, and website content.
-Provide brand and quality control for external department and organizational efforts by writing, proofreading and/or editing a wide variety of communications. pieces, including emails, letters, notices, programs, magazines, web copy, press releases, news/feature stories, internal and external communications, etc.
-Cultivate relationships with faculty and staff so as to find stories that build the NJIT brand internally and externally.
-Oversees Meltwater systems including distribution of newsfeed and newsletter and organization of media contacts.
-Develops regular reports of media mentions/placements.
-Works closely with NJIT personnel and third-party media relations firms to pitch and place NJIT experts and stories.
-Connects appropriate NJIT personnel with media contacts/reporters.
-Manages subject matter expert database with regular profile updates and spotlight creation.

Additional Functions:
-Provides news/media information to publications for annual report, alumni magazine, and others.
-Other duties assigned by supervisor.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
-Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, PR or a related field required.
-Must have a minimum of 3 years' experience, and demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
-Proven knowledge and skills in the writing and positioning of communications and promotional efforts, annual reports, brochures, website content, press releases, news/feature stories, etc.
-Demonstrated proficiency with appropriate hardware (Mac and PC) and software packages (News Monitoring Services, Digital Asset Management, Content Management Systems).
-Demonstrated knowledge of news/media cycles and processes.
-Demonstrated abilities in project management.
-At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Excellent interpersonal skills.
-Experience in specific software (Meltwater, Canto, Expertfile).

Bargaining Unit:
PSA

Range/Band:
23

Salary Information:
In compliance with the NJ Pay Transparency Law, the negotiated annual salary range for this position is $63,754.42-$119,012.58 (USD). NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses or other items.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefits NJIT offers for this position, please visit our benefits page: https://hr.njit.edu/health-benefits.

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time