Senior Writer and Editorial Strategist - Sidwell Friends School

The Office of Communications is responsible for the School’s brand standards, overall messaging, all print and digital publications, the Sidwell Friends website, video production, media relations, crisis communications and management, and parent relations and programs.

The Senior Writer and Editorial Strategist will be responsible for creating engaging content for a variety of channels and audiences, including prospective families, current families, alumni, and the broader Sidwell Friends community. This position requires someone to be a self-starter and to develop a network of connections across the School who can provide ideas and connections that will help with story development. The Senior Writer and Editorial Strategist will help to develop and implement a comprehensive editorial strategy that aligns with the school's overall positioning as well as its mission and values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create compelling news stories, website copy, community messages, social media updates, email campaigns, and other written materials that effectively communicate the School's mission and values to a range of audiences. Candidates should be comfortable writing on a wide range of topics, including student life, academic initiatives, athletics, and the arts, across all three divisions of the School: Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and develop content that aligns with their goals and objectives.

• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar that maps out content production and distribution strategies across various channels.

• Take an active role with the marketing and communications team to continually enhance the school’s brand voice and messaging strategy.

• Work in partnership with the Chief Communications Officer to help draft messages and notifications to the community.

• Write and edit occasional marketing materials to support initiatives of key partners, including Enrollment and Advancement.

• Manage the selection, scheduling, and rotation of podcast guests and draft pre-production briefs to guide questions.

• Ensure all content is accurate, engaging, and aligned with the School's values and mission.

• Maintain the School’s editorial style guide.

• Provide occasional proofreading.

• Work with external vendors as needed to support content production.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in a media or educational/corporate communications organization.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to write in a range of styles and tones.

• Newspaper or journalism experience is a plus.

• Experience in an educational institution is a plus.

• A demonstrated track record of writing long-form and short-form editorial content drawn from interviews and research.

• Experience developing and/or implementing an editorial strategy that aligns with organizational goals and objectives.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Knowledge of SEO best practices and social media platforms.

Salary

Salary Range $85,000-$105,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To Apply

To be considered, qualified candidates must upload a cover letter, resume, and three references through our online application system (ClearCo). To learn more about our school, please visit https://www.sidwell.edu.

Diversity Statement

Sidwell Friends School affirms the centrality of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and campus life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by Quaker testimonies and seek to answer the question, “How do we nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world.”