Managing Editor—Science, Research, and Education

Position Focus :

The Managing Editor Science, Research, and Education, Yale School of Medicine, will lead the growth and refinement of the audience-centric digital content platform for Yale School of Medicine (YSM), one of the country’s leading centers for biomedical research, medical education, and advanced clinical care.

• Reporting to the Director of Content Strategy and collaborating closely with the Managing Editor for Yale Medicine, partner with a community of world-class researchers, educators, and physicians to elevate the reputation and awareness of Yale School of Medicine among the science-curious public;
• researchers working in the areas of basic science, translational, and clinical research; faculty and student recruits; peer institutions;

the media; and potential corporate, foundation and individual donors.

Lead the execution of the day-to-day strategy and output of a unit producing high-quality text (engaging news articles and long-form features) adhering to best practices in search engine optimization (SEO) and complemented by photo and video content for regular distribution over the YSM website and multiple social media channels.

This role also serves as the Senior Editor for Yale Medicine Magazine, collaborating with the magazine’s Executive Editor, on the production of a twice-annual print and digital publication for alumni and thought leaders in health and medicine, with responsibility for assigning and editing several features and providing planning and copy-editing support for each issue.

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation for in-office work at least two days a week, and more often as needed.

Principal Responsibilities : Manage and recruit, as needed, experienced staff and freelance science writers to define and shape a distinct voice and tone for the YSM website.

Maintain and uphold best-in-class YSM editorial style and standards, per YSM guidelines. Assign and edit short- and long-form feature stories that demonstrate the consequential work that is underway within the YSM community of researchers and educators.

Identify opportunities for photo and video content. Socialize and uphold editorial standards for news and feature articles among community of departmental communications officers, including copy editing of all articles for the YSM news platform.

Align content planning with the YSM content strategy and review / adjust the content strategy ongoing to reflect new programs and priorities.

Socialize the content strategy throughout the YSM communications community. Monitor publication output by YSM researchers and assign / edit articles, prioritizing topics that align with YSM strategic priorities.

When appropriate, leverage the use of AI, according to established YSM standards, to assist with content generation. Partner with the Yale Medicine (YM) Managing Editor to identify opportunities for integrated content that elevates both YSM and the YM clinical practice.

Develop and execute editorial calendars; lead weekly story planning meetings. Collaborate on budgeting and staffing schedules.

Help to create a culture of transparency, collaboration and accountability. Utilize analytics across the operation to understand and benchmark content consumption, user behavior, and staff performance and priorities.

Please note that Generic Principal Responsibilities below are generic in nature and may not reflect the accurate duties for the job.

Please refer to this Position Focus for the most accurate description of the job and its duties.

Please Disregard Essential Duties section below

Essential Duties

1. Manages relationships with external media sources. Pursues media coverage creatively and aggressively. Responds to inquiries from national and international news media, student media, the University community and the general public.

2. Enhances the overall quality of media relations for key stakeholders by preparing them for media interviews. Manages relationships with key campus stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment and understanding of stakeholder goals.

3. Creates compelling story ideas and narratives; produces content for both external and internal channels; writes copy and social media posts and manages content.

4. Plans social media strategies for key University communications and programs. Monitors University social media assets for negative comments or misinformation.

5. Supports short- and long-term communication planning with insights into audiences, channels and culture; coordinates with other communications professionals to achieve institutional goals;

leads the communications process within developed standards and protocols. 6. Supports effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24 / 7 attention and intense media / public scrutiny, and articulates the University’s position via personal interviews or written responses.

7. Produces multimedia content and manages the work of graphic and web designers, student interns, printers, video producers and photographers.

8. Manages communication plans for all stakeholders by understanding the significance of campus initiatives and / or academic work;

creates compelling stories and messages to translate the significance through language that is clear and accessible for public awareness.

9. Develops and maintains regular contact with media representatives in multiple disciplines. 10. Maintains the Yale brand and graphic identity standards;

supports and maintains standard operating procedures; contributes to digital asset management. 11. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field and five years of experience in public relations, journalism, television, corporate communications or agency work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography or video.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Demonstrated and proven writing and editing skill in the science and / or medical / health genre with a high preference for experience in an academic environment.

Proven success in delivering top-notch text content, taking stories from conception to completion demonstrating exceptional writing and editing skills.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Demonstrated experience in digital content publishing.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Ability to foster creativity and ideation across teams and among peers and subordinates. Desire to work collaboratively in an open, friendly manner.

Superior organizational and time management skills demonstrating a high degree of resourcefulness, creativity, and independent thinking.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Must be willing and able to work occasional off-hours on nights and weekends, as deadlines and breaking news dictate.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Prefer candidates that have a strong network of freelance writers, editors, and copy editors to call upon. Experience shaping and growing talent;

a hands-on approach to leading by example.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

PhD in a science-related field is preferred. Experience with : CMS platforms, SEO, tagging, keywording, etc., as well as in native programming for all key social platforms.

Aptitude for the use of AI to support editorial operations. Ability to deliver against a defined set of metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position.

Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.