Job Information
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Senior Writer in Geneva, New York
The Senior Writer in the Office of Marketing and Communications is a key storyteller and strategic communicator for Hobart and William Smith. This role involves creating impactful and engaging written materials that support HWS’ mission and elevate its reputation. The Senior Writer will produce content for a variety of audiences and platforms, including speeches, articles, marketing materials, letters and web copy. Additionally, this individual will write for the senior leadership team of Hobart and William Smith, crafting speeches, messages and correspondence that reflect HWS’ values and priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Writing and Content Creation:
Develop high-quality, persuasive content for diverse platforms, including web, print, email, social media and internal communications.
Serve as the lead writer for executive communications, including speeches, op-eds, annual messages and event remarks.
Craft compelling narratives that highlight HWS’ academic programs, faculty achievements, student success stories and community initiatives.
Editorial Leadership:
Collaborate with the Associate Vice President for Communications to establish and maintain a consistent editorial voice aligned with HWS’ brand.
Review and edit content created by team members to ensure clarity, consistency and alignment with institutional messaging.
Serve as a resource for writing best practices.
Strategic Collaboration:
Partner with key stakeholders to understand strategic goals and priorities.
Work closely with marketing and communications colleagues to integrate written content with visual and digital assets.
Act as a liaison with external writers or consultants for specialized projects as needed.
Research and Messaging:
Conduct thorough research to inform writing projects, ensuring accuracy and credibility.
Stay informed about trends and developments in higher education to provide contextually relevant messaging.
Develop key messaging frameworks for use in campaigns, events and institutional communications.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism or a related field.
Minimum of 5-7 years of professional writing experience, preferably in higher education, nonprofit or corporate communications.
Skills and Competencies:
Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills with a strong command of grammar and style.
Ability to distill complex ideas into clear, engaging and accessible language.
Experience crafting messaging for senior leadership.
Proficiency in content management systems.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
Collaborative and adaptable, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
· Sense of humor a must.
· Must be able to work independently.
Salary range is $65,000 - $70,000.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free educational, living and working environment for all members of the HWS community, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and visitors. HWS prohibits discrimination and harassment in their programs and activities on the basis of age, color, disability, domestic violence victim status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual misconduct including stalking and intimate partner violence, and gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature.