Writer/Editor

📣 I'm hiring! 📣

We're looking for a part-time writer/copy editor to contribute to the award-winning Michigan Alum magazine, our monthly Alumni News + Notes newsletter, and help punch up other stories with sharp copy edits.

The role is approximately 24-30 hours a week, and has some in-office requirements on the Ann Arbor campus.

Posted by: Katherine Fiorillo, Senior Editor

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required and must be included as the first page of your resume. In your cover letter, please describe your specific interest in the position and highlight the skills and experiences that directly align with the role.

Please submit the following as a single, combined PDF:

• Cover letter (first page)
• Resume
• Three writing samples

Who We Are

We enrich the University of Michigan's impact by serving as an independent gateway for alums of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences, across the globe and in our neighborhoods, in order to create and deepen belonging to the Michigan Family, the Leaders and Best.

Join the Alumni Association in fostering a global community of belonging. We aim to create spaces where every stakeholder feels connected and valued. Through programs such as clubs, affinity groups, and student support initiatives, we are dedicated to building strong, supportive networks among alumni worldwide. We invite you to explore our impactful work and become a part of our commitment to nurturing a worldwide network of belonging. Discover more about our efforts here: Community of Belonging.

Job Summary

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is seeking a writer who also has a keen editing eye to join the content team in a part-time role (approximately 24-30 hours a week). The writer will contribute to the award-winning Michigan Alum magazine, the monthly Alumni News + Notes newsletter, and help punch up other stories with sharp copy edits.

In addition to the responsibilities and qualifications listed below and most importantly, candidates must share and hold to the highest regard, the same values that are uniquely inherent to the Alumni Association:

ALL IN

Believe in our mission

Be trustworthy and loyal to the Alumni Association and each other

Be passionate about what we're doing and be proud to be a part of it

Be an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty

SERVING HEART

Be open and willing to listen to others and help in whatever way possible

You're dedicated to selflessly following the Platinum Rule: treat others the way they want to be treated

SOLUTION SEEKER

You're a creative problem solver

You're never satisfied with the status quo

You find a way to say yes

You embrace new ideas and approaches from different perspectives 

You're collaborative, flexible and adaptive

Responsibilities*

• Work closely with the editorial team to produce content for the Michigan Alum magazine and monthly newsletter.
• Demonstrate attention to detail with an eye for concise, persuasive, and clear communication. 
• Research potential stories and conduct interviews for projects.
• Make an ongoing commitment to improving writing skills and stay informed of best practices and relevant innovative trends.
• Achieve proficiency in our brand style.
• Become skilled at using our project management system Asana, Slack, Asset Bank, and Google Docs to track projects, collaborate, and share assets.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide organizational leadership by demonstrating the Alumni Association's core values: All In, Serving Heart, and Solution Seeker, and helping other staff members demonstrate those values.
• Value and embrace different identities and diversity of thought, recognizing that everyone has unique and different experiences that contribute to the best solution seeking and success for the Alumni Association. 
• Be inclusive and collaborative with every other member of the staff and every other team. Operate as a critical contributing member of the staff to complete objectives in many different areas in order to move the whole organization toward the strategic plan.
• Support University Relations efforts by demonstrating the Alumni Association's value to campus units/partners (i.e., schools/colleges, campuses).
• Share knowledge through internal communication.
• Support the Alumni Association's vision of creating a place of belonging for all alumni.
• Remain current with respect to technology and the University's educational resources.

Supervision Received

Direct supervision is received from the senior editor. 

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or other appropriate field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum one year of experience in a related position such as journalism, web communications, copywriting, public relations, or media relations.
• Can understand various programmatic objectives and distill them into language that is on brand and relevant to our audience.
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects as well as determining and meeting tight deadlines.
• Have a proficient understanding of AP Style.
• Ability to use Google suite including mail, sheets, docs, slides, chat, etc.
• Team player and a strong attitude for collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A proven ability to generate creative, innovative solutions to issues with a can-do attitude with a mindset to be results-driven.
• Ability to work effectively with leaders and colleagues in a multicultural and diverse environment.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Work Location

The Alumni Center is located in Ann Arbor, MI. This position is hybrid.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.