As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
100027 Ofc University Mkting & Comms
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR URG 113
Compensation Range:
$77,600.00 - $116,400.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Director of Content within University Marketing & Communications (UM&C), this role leads the University’s digital content strategy for flagship channels—including the News Center and other enterprise-level platforms—to strengthen brand reputation, support enrollment and research priorities, and drive measurable engagement across audiences and channels.
This role designs and implements integrated, audience-focused, data-driven content strategies grounded in user research, SEO best practices, and digital governance. This role shapes editorial direction and content experience across websites, search/generative AI platforms, and digital marketing ecosystems; leads complex digital storytelling initiatives; and ensures alignment with University brand, voice, and strategic goals. The role also guides digital modernization efforts, supports change management and training, and mentors content strategists and creators across the University.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Digital Content Strategy and Editorial Leadership
- Leads the content strategy and editorial direction for flagship University digital channels, including the News Center and top-tier web destinations.
- Establishes content priorities, editorial calendars, messaging pillars, and content experiences aligned with audience research.
- Ensures content meets the highest standards for accuracy, accessibility, brand voice, and SEO.
- Identifies and evaluates narratives and innovative storytelling opportunities that showcase key initiatives, programs, and priorities for the institution; accomplishments by faculty, staff, student, and alumni; and research, scholarly, and interdisciplinary work that advance the University’s reputation as a global leader in higher education.
- Plans, writes, and edits highly engaging, user-centered, digital-first content for the flagship channels that supports institutional strategic priorities while adhering to best practices in marketing communications.
- Leads and manages the integrated digital presence for University news across multiple content management systems and platforms. Identifies opportunities for, recommends, and implements content collaboration methods and sharing across units. Facilitates partnerships among and between units to ensure integration exists. Manages relationships and workflows to keep University Marketing & Communications apprised and involved with digital strategy and production.
- Edits text, photos, videos, social media posts, and other materials for brand alignment, readability, digital accessibility, accuracy, grammar and spelling, tone, and search/generative engine optimization (SEO/GEO).
- Uses digital project management applications, content management systems, and imaging/design applications to manage, produce, optimize, publish, and syndicate content for websites, print publications, enewsletter and email marketing campaigns, social media, and digital marketing.
- Advises and influences leadership, partners, stakeholders, and colleagues at the school- and unit-levels on high-priority, enterprise-wide communications projects and initiatives.
- Leads, develops, and implements the digital content strategy for the News Center that aligns with the Marketing and Communications team’s overarching strategic goals with regard to brand and reputation enhancement, strategic initiatives, and enrollment marketing.
- Creates, produces, and advises on original content that appears on other channels and platforms, including but not limited to the University’s Rochester Review magazine, websites homepage and top-level landing pages, social media channels, newsletters, video and audio outlets, etc.
- Ensures all content meets the highest digital, editorial, branding, and strategic communications standards.
- Synthesizes complex scholarly materials and concepts to share with a broad, non-specialist audience.
User Research, Analytics, and Optimization
- Conducts audits, user research, and performance analysis to optimize content and digital experience.
- Implements digital analytics and SEO/GEO strategies; reports insights to leadership.
- Drives continuous improvement based on KPIs and benchmarking.
- Assesses, analyzes, and reports on the success of integrated content strategies and flagship channels, including the flagship news sites (News Center, including Rochester Review ), as defined by key performance indicators (KPIs) and return on investment measures.
- Stays up-to-date with trends and developments in marketing communications, particularly in the domain of online content and storytelling.
- Applies research and analytics to generate new, integrated content ideas and formats that reach target audiences across channels (print, digital, social, paid).
Digital Governance and Standards
- Develops and enforces digital governance frameworks, editorial standards, accessibility, and SEO best practices.
- Leads adoption of University-wide style guides, training, and digital content guidelines.
- Supports change management for digital modernization and web transformation initiatives.
- Establishes deadlines and production schedules for content and distribution; enforces project timetables to ensure optimal delivery of high-quality content.
- Coordinates with other communications professionals in the University Marketing and Communications office and across the University to share and promote relevant content on flagship channels.
- Socializes, optimizes, and documents cross-functional practices, policies, and processes as part of a comprehensive redesign and relaunch of the flagship online news experience.
Project, Stakeholder, and Vendor Management
- Leads cross-functional content initiatives and collaborates with academic and administrative stakeholders.
- Manages editorial workflows, calendars, and digital content operations and tools.
- Works with external vendors and internal partners to support enterprise digital priorities.
- Organizes, prioritizes, assigns to content creators and freelancers, and multi-tasks a variety of writing, editing, and creative assignments; ensures alignment of content with institutional priorities and branding guidelines.
Coaching and Mentorship
- Mentors writers, editors, and content strategists to elevate institutional content quality.
- Enforces responsibility of content creators to fact-check and verify details, as well as authenticate sources.
Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field required
- 7 years of relevant experience required;
- Experience working in higher education preferred;
or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- High proficiency with industry-standard tools and practices for digital content strategy and marketing (e.g., content management system(s), Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, SEMrush, Adobe Creative Cloud, file sharing and storage services) required
- Solid understanding of digital ecosystems and brand communications for complex organizations required
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills, including demonstrated ability to clearly articulate ideas and present work both internally and to clients required
- Deep understanding of taxonomies, information architectures, SEO, usability, accessibility, and web standards preferred
- Proficiency in writing, editing, publishing, and distributing digital content based on target audiences required
- Keen editorial sensibility and judgment required
- Experience managing projects; strong project management skills required
- Ability to multitask complex assignments and projects on deadline and on budget required
- Experience with emerging digital, storytelling, and social media platforms and formats preferred
- Experience understanding and navigating complex challenges and competing priorities required
- Familiarity with Agile project management approaches preferred
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
