Position Detail

Media and Editorial Director

Hampshire College invites applications for the new position of media and editorial director. Among the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the country, Hampshire was born of the vision of educators in the late 1950s who dreamed of a new paradigm for liberal arts education. The founding documents advocated many of the features that have since been realized in the Hampshire curriculum: emphasis on each student’s interest and motivation; broad, multidisciplinary learning; and close mentoring relationships between teachers and students. With Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Hampshire is part of the Five College consortium, which provides students access to thousands of courses, shared resources, and services at the participating institutions.

Reporting to the chief creative officer, the media and editorial director will fulfill a dual role while supervising two staff members. 1) The director develops, implements, and manages a first-rate media relations and public affairs program that positions Hampshire as a leader in higher education by differentiating Hampshire’s model and its impact and communicates the College’s mission and messages to relevant constituencies, guided by the strategic plan; 2) The director is a key member of the editorial staff and helps “tell Hampshire’s story” through strategic, imaginative concepting and superb writing and editing across all platforms.

The media and editorial director will create, implement, and manage a smart, aggressive media relations plan to expand the College’s visibility, strengthen its reputation, and build support among key constituencies. The director will manage strategic messages from concept through media placement by identifying compelling stories that reinforce college goals and determining their best distribution channels; develop and distribute talking points and updates on timely issues; identify issues and trends that intersect with Hampshire’s mission and seek visibility in those discussions. The director will cultivate relationships with media and target pitches; answer media queries; advise administrators, faculty, and students on media interactions; and serve as the College’s spokesperson. The director will develop and execute rapid-response strategies; anticipate and identify crises and problem issues, ensuring that responses reflect the institution’s values and objectives; create processes for media relations and rapid-response initiatives so College representatives are guided by clear, consistent protocols that can be relied on to produce the best possible outcomes.

The director will also generate broad themes and story ideas consistent with Hampshire’s positioning and messaging; conceive, package, assign, and edit stories for impact, coherence, style, accuracy, and relevance to Hampshire’s mission; write compelling features and news stories for a variety of purposes; help build a pool of contributors, including alumni, faculty, staff, and students, to increase the diversity and range of voices and strengthen connections with constituents.

Bachelor’s degree with seven years progressively responsible experience is required. The media and editorial director will be expected to have the following proficiencies: exceptional written and oral communications skills; ability to continually develop new media relations content, stay on top of or ahead of trends, manage news cycles, and create a proactive presence for the College; have an insider's knowledge of the media; experience leading integrated campaigns that include messaging, press, supporter communications, and digital communications (email, web, social media); and a first-responder’s ability to lead crisis communications. The director  must have the ability to concept, package, write, and edit superb and compelling text that can inspire and bring an institution to life for its constituents; be able to to think strategically and creatively and target communications to appropriate constituents at opportune times; have a deep understanding of how words and images can inform, move, delight, and inspire constituents to act; and an appreciation for the liberal arts mission and, in particular, Hampshire’s distinctive model of education. Strong interpersonal and project management skills and the ability to work with diverse groups and teams is essential. The media and editorial director will be required to plan strategically, meet deadlines, work in a fast-paced team environment, display urgency, and be attentive to detail. Demonstrable administrative and supervisory skills are a must.  

We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.