Alumni Magazine Editor
Alumni Magazine Editor
Lafayette College, one of the nation’s finest liberal arts institutions, seeks a highly motivated and creative editor to serve as its Alumni Magazine Editor for the college’s flagship publication, Lafayette, which is now undergoing a comprehensive redesign. The new publication will launch in Fall 2023, with the new editor playing the lead role in its editorial direction.
As part of a multimedia content team reporting to the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, the editor plans, writes, and coordinates dynamic storytelling that engages and builds pride among alumni, donors, friends, and other audiences by showcasing the College’s strength, spirit, and momentum. As the Editor, this individual will use their broad understanding of the higher education landscape and of Lafayette, as well as their editorial skills and inherent curiosity, to develop magazines that successfully advance alumni pride and engagement alongside Lafayette’s liberal arts mission and strategic priorities.
The Editor is responsible for overseeing all phases of the magazine’s print and digital production, including developing the story budget; identifying, ideating, and writing stories; partnering with a talented team of division colleagues on design, illustration, and photography and videography; identifying and managing internal and freelance contributors; managing all relationships with printers and mailing houses; managing all aspects of production; and managing the budget. The Editor partners closely with the division’s Director of Development Communications, the division’s leadership and writing team, and colleagues in Development and College Relations to shape each edition and identify outstanding alumni and donor stories that support development and alumni relations priorities.
The Editor should be an outstanding writer and a discerning editor with a proven ability to ideate stories and other content that will engage and delight the College’s audiences across print and digital channels, including the website, email, and social media. The Editor should be highly skilled at setting and meeting deadlines and ensuring the magazine and related projects are produced on time and on budget, with an ability to rapidly pivot as needed to adapt to new developments. The Editor should be highly collaborative, have a keen understanding of inclusive communications, and be invested in the College’s liberal arts mission and the impact of its alumni around the world.
Specific responsibilities include the following:
- Work closely with the Vice President, the Assistant Vice President, and the Director of Development Communications to develop and implement a creative, forward-thinking, and cohesive editorial strategy that advances alumni and donor engagement and institutional
- Work closely with the Director of Web and Design Strategy and the Director of Photography and Videography to chart out the design, layout, art, photography, and videography plans that will best support content and engage reader interest.
- Ensure that stories, layout, art, photography, and design in both print and digital forms together communicate Lafayette’s mission, support strategic objectives, build on the division’s messaging platform, and meet the highest editorial standards.
- Write content for the magazine and for the College’s website and news
- Forge and sustain relationships with faculty, colleagues, and alumni to gather story ideas and implement them strategically.
- Manage all aspects of magazine production, including proofs, reviews, printing, and mailing; and manage all associated vendors and freelancers.
- Create and implement a digital content strategy for the magazine to include the website, email, and social media channels.
- Working closely with Development and College Relations, ensure accurate and updated mailing lists and regularly assess the criteria for these lists to ensure college resources devoted to the magazine are used strategically and effectively.
- Manage the magazine budget and maintain accountability for associated costs, including writing and photography, and maintain publication specifications and cost records for comparison between issues.
- Implement periodic reader surveys to inform and guide continued magazine development and story priorities and ensure reader satisfaction and engagement.
- Monitor and respond to feedback from readers or other university.
- Perform other responsibilities as
- Depending on the skills and experience of the editor, it is possible reporting lines may include staff contributing to the division in related ways.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or related field; master’s degree
- Five years of experience leading or making significant contributions to magazine
- Deep experience working in, or knowledge of, a college or university or other nonprofit educational institution.
- Capacity to manage and guide a sophisticated publication from conception to completion on a regular schedule with creativity and cost-effectiveness.
- Demonstrated ability to work at the intersection of print and digital
- Expert ability to write compelling and concise copy and develop creative concepts; to edit copy and recommend edits to other forms of content; and to produce materials under tight timelines and with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to think both creatively and analytically and to synthesize ideas quickly under deadlines.
- Experience and interest in creating content for print, websites, social media, mobile devices, and other platforms and an ability to evaluate and design reader-centered content for multiple channels of delivery.
- Exceptional communication skills, particularly in working well with diverse colleagues in a complex and fast-paced environment.
- The sensitivity, diplomacy, and flexibility to manage diverse campus needs and
Please provide a cover letter, resume, work samples, and contact information for three references: http://apply.interfolio.com/126198
Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is responsive, inclusive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.