Senior Staff Writer

The Division of University Relations represents an integrated approach to Communication services which 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). 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.

University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators, who regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments.

Part of the Division of University Relations, the Cornell Chronicle is Cornell University's official source of news and information, with a mission to promote Cornell as a world-class institution of excellence in teaching, research and public engagement.

The Opportunity

Staff writers must have excellent interviewing skills to be able to translate research for the lay audience. Writers typically juggle multiple stories and priorities while meeting tight deadlines. Writers work closely with partners in Media Relations to evaluate stories for their potential external media impact, and regularly collaborate with colleagues in Brand Communications and Strategic Communications, as well as college, school and unit-level communicators, to deliver highly visual and interactive storytelling packages with cohesive messaging.

At the direction of the Senior Director or the editorial leadership team, all staff writers may be assigned administrative, staff or other stories that are outside their specified beat. Staff writers also regularly provide first editing, senior editing and copy editing of stories generated by college writers.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open and welcoming; showing respect, compassion and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

If you have a desire to develop the company culture, best practices and to meet and exceed industry standards of quality we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter!!

This is a full-time position located in Ithaca, NY, an active and diverse community to work and thrive in! This is an on-campus position. Remote work out of state or the region is not an option for this role.

Compensation: The position will be offered at between $88,150 - $94,000/annual and will be based on the final candidate's skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited:

• In a fast-paced and dynamic newsroom environment, staff writers identify, develop, report, write and edit stories that highlight Cornell University's missions of teaching, research and public engagement for internal and external audiences in the Cornell Chronicle, Cornell's news platform of record.
• Reporting to the Senior Director of News, staff writers use superior news judgment to produce and shape the narrative of innovation and impact across Cornell's campuses, through a mix of straightforward news stories and in-depth, multimedia-rich features and profiles.
• Staff writers are assigned specific topic areas in which to specialize and are expected to develop and maintain internal partnerships with key college, school and unit communicators to ensure broad awareness of research and institutional activity in these areas. Types of stories include published and ongoing research; outreach and engagement programs; student experience; and faculty honors. Beat may also focus on specific disciplines and include coverage of centers and institutes associated with any or all of these disciplines.

What You Need

• Bachelor's degree plus 5-7 years of journalism experience or an 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 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.
• Fluency in AP style writing and editing.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion and well-being.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca has something to suit all ages and interests.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, vacation and paid holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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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:

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