Staff Writer, Cornell Tech (NYC)

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (cornell.edu, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication).

Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

Position Summary:

The Cornell Tech Staff Writer will be an experienced, creative, and enthusiastic storyteller who positions Cornell Tech as a groundbreaking institution that develops leaders, creates new technologies, and builds startup in support of the economic development of New York City and its tech ecosystem. The Staff Writer will report to the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing and produce and shape the narrative of research and innovation across the Roosevelt Island campus. This seasoned storyteller will also showcase the success of individual faculty, students, entrepreneurs, alumni, and leadership who lead academic programs and other initiatives that impact and influence the tech industry.

The Staff Writer will spend considerable time getting to know faculty and leadership at Cornell Tech, to source story themes and track research. The Staff Writer will produce editorial content that supports college-wide internal and external communications, including news articles, feature stories, newsletters, presentations, brochures, promotional and website copy, talking points for leadership, and other materials.

This Staff Writer will bring curiosity and creativity to identifying storytelling opportunities and reporting, writing and editing content. An impeccable commitment to accuracy is required, as is a keen understanding of deadlines. The Staff Writer needs to be an expert collaborator who can work across the Cornell Tech with colleagues in Ithaca and on other campuses.

The Staff Writer will work closely with the staff of the Cornell Chronicle to identify, pitch, research, write and edit stories showcasing Cornell Tech's impact and vibrant community for internal and external audiences. Participation in Chronicle editorial meetings and other professional development is essential for the Staff Writer's success.

The writer will also manage and update a database with faculty expertise and research and work closely with the university's Media Relations team to train and identify faculty experts to participate in external media requests leading to top-tier story placement and media attention for Cornell Tech.

This position is based at the Roosevelt Island campus in New York City, as where in-person interactions are vital to the development of the Cornell Tech narrative. The Staff Writer will have an option to work remotely 1-2 days a week.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus 3-5 years of journalism experience and/or or equivalent combination of education and communications experience.
• Excellent story sourcing, reporting, writing, editing, proofreading skills; published clips and examples of high-quality, high-impact storytelling.
• Demonstrated experience with, and comprehension of, writing about computer science and/or technology. Keen interest in innovation and reporting on scientific developments.
• Experience and comfort juggling and organizing multiple assignments and producing publishable content on tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong and collaborative working relationships with key constituencies
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, especially collaboration and networking.
• Knowledge of AP style writing and editing.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate studies in related science fields and/or journalism
• Experience working in an academic or non-profit environment
• Experience/familiarity with content management using WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and with editing audio, photos, or video.

Position Responsibilities:

Writing/Editing: 50%

• Identify, write and edit original and persuasive content that will support campus-wide internal and external communications, including news articles, features, newsletters, presentations, columns, brochures, promotional and website copy, along with other materials; synthesize and reorganize information gathered; edit and proofread work to ensure appropriate style, relevance, comprehensiveness and quality of content; present completed content for approval
• Work closely with Cornell Chronicle and Media Relations teams, ensuring a steady stream of college-generated stories produced by the Staff Writer and Chronicle writers; coordinate with Media Relations on faculty research and thought leadership to be pitched to top-tier media by Media Relations.
• Elevate timely and impactful stories covering research and education
• Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with faculty, administrators, staff, and students to keep current on key issues, current projects and accomplishments; consult and collaborate with clients to establish, review and meet project expectations
• Conduct research, utilizing such tools as interviews, relevant written resources, and attendance at events
• Provide editorial support to external affairs colleagues on campus progress reports and other materials required by external partners

Content Management: 20%

• Oversee and edit stories being produced by internally at Cornell Tech.
• Manage and edit stories being produced by freelancers or agencies.
• Execute editorial aspect of all projects for print and web; make recommendations as to project needs/direction and implement new projects
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing Department staff, especially Senior Designer, to develop visual assets to accompany stories and for social media, web.
• Coordinate with Brand Communications Multimedia producers to ensure best-practices and industry standards are followed.

Media Liaison: 20%

• Manage and expand the list of Cornell Tech faculty experts and thought leaders, with contact information, areas of expertise, and individual interest in speaking to/engaging with the media
• Support the Executive Director on directing all media requests from major/top-tier outlets to the Cornell University Relations Media Relations team (Ithaca) and offer guidance on which Cornell Tech experts are most appropriate.
• Manage inbound requests from specialty/niche media outlets; develop a list of specialty/niche publications or platforms to promote Cornell Tech's work to specialized audiences.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Media Relations to develop and manage outreach to select writers/editors in New York City.

Event Staffing: 5%

• Assist Executive Director staffing major school events and other campus assignments.

Personal and Professional Development: 5%

• Remain current on new trends and technology that can be used for our communication purposes

• Attend workshops and seminars relevant to brand awareness communication and/or computer science and other relevant fields

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.