Working Title: Writer-Editor
Peabody Office of Communications
Home Department: Peabody Dean’s Office, Peabody College
Position Summary
Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development seeks an enterprising professional to perform the functions of researching, writing and editing content disseminated by and through Peabody College’s Office of Communications. The selected individual will assist in suggesting and developing creative strategies and supporting materials that advance the college’s goals of strengthening its reputation and recruiting students to its degree or non-degree programs, while maintaining and enhancing positive relations with key constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, journalists, foundations, government agencies, and peer institutions. Content will primarily take the form of research stories, campus news articles, grant or award announcements, profiles, letters of nomination, or speeches, and be published via websites, e-newsletters, social media, video, web copy, advertisements, e-books, blogs, or other digital or print materials.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Write and edit news and research stories, profiles, announcements, and other content, including occasional features, for college publications and newsletters, to share the story of Peabody College and its mission of discovery, leadership preparation, and engagement with practitioners and influencers in education and human development.
- Work closely with constituent departments and stakeholders to communicate their activities and accomplishments, by interacting with faculty and attending meetings or events to identify and amplify department work.
- Perform such tasks as needed to obtain information to write materials, including conducting interviews, performing subject matter research, and verifying facts.
- Collaborate with other Peabody communicators and academic leaders to surface ideas, suggest tactics, and pitch stories and other content for the college’s various communications vehicles and channels.
- Conduct research and prepare letters of nomination or recommendation for signature by the dean for university or external awards or appointments.
- As needed, assist in drafting or editing Peabody website content.
- Edit and produce newsletters by proposing and assembling content, drafting copy, arranging for the purchase of mailing lists, proofreading, and publishing.
- Prepare occasional introductions or welcoming remarks for the dean or other senior faculty or staff as needed for events.
- In addition to primary writing responsibilities, support college marketing efforts through editorial assistance with collateral materials such as viewbooks, brochures, e-books, blogs, social media campaigns, advertisements, or direct correspondence.
- Provide editorial support for other Peabody offices, including copy-editing or proofreading materials as requested.
- As needed, coordinate publication design, production and distribution in collaboration with in-house or third-party designers, photographers, illustrators, or other providers.
- Coordinate with staff within Peabody Communications, across the college, Vanderbilt’s Division of Marketing and Communications, or external providers to ensure materials are published in a timely manner and shared on social media.
- Stay updated and informed about the college’s activities, programs, and student and faculty accomplishments and research through ongoing outreach and involvement.
- Additional duties as assigned.
About Vanderbilt's Peabody College
Peabody College is a world-class college of education and human development consistently ranked among the top 10 graduate schools of education in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Its mission is to enhance the human condition by creating knowledge about learning and development in their social contexts, by translating discoveries into more effective practice and policy, and by preparing leaders who will generate positive change throughout the nation and the world. Vanderbilt degrees offered by Peabody include the bachelor of science, master of education, master of public policy, master of science, doctor of education, and doctor of philosophy. Peabody serves more than 2,700 students, both on campus and online, with a full-time faculty of 200.
About the Work Unit
The Peabody Office of Communications is responsible for identifying and communicating news about the college to key constituencies, for developing and executing marketing strategies for the college’s degree and non-degree offerings, and for supporting the college’s leaders in developing and delivering strategic messages for internal and external audiences. The Communications Office is also charged with developing, maintaining, and disseminating content for its digital properties including its website and social media.
Supervisory Relationships:
- This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Communications.
Required Skills and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or an education-related field is necessary.
- At least three years writing experience in the education sector, with experience in research communications preferred.
- Excellent editing and proofreading skills are required.
- Ability to think strategically and write for leadership is preferred.
- Knowledge of the higher education and PK-12 education marketplaces is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of graduate and professional admissions is preferred.
- Familiarity with SEO best practices and email marketing is preferred.
- Experience with content management systems, especially WordPress, is preferred.
- Experience with content creation across multiple channels is preferred.
- Proficiency using Adobe software for creative professionals is preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
