About the Role:
This is a rare opportunity to help shape and refine the narrative of one of the nation's premier health sciences institutions. As an editor within Pitt's Office of Strategic Communications, Health Sciences, you will serve as an editorial strategist and quality steward for six distinguished schools — the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, School of Nursing and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
You will have a bird’s-eye view across all six schools, connecting the dots to identify story opportunities that cut across disciplines and reveal the powerful synergies that define Pitt Health Sciences. Your editorial judgment will ensure that content is not only polished and precise, but strategically aligned, advancing a unified institutional narrative while celebrating the distinct strengths of each school.
What You'll Do:
You will edit a wide range of content across multiple channels, including websites, alumni magazines, press releases and thought leadership pieces. The work will also include social media promotions and possibly some videos. You will apply a rigorous command of Pitt style guidelines in proofreading and editing work produced across the department, maintaining consistency, accuracy and brand integrity at every touchpoint.
Equally important, you will function as a story spotter: scanning activity across all six schools to surface themes, connections and narratives that even the stakeholders may not yet see. This is an exciting moment to join our team as we expand an integrated communications and marketing infrastructure to elevate Pitt Health Sciences’ national and international profile.
Who You Are
You are a meticulous editor with a strategic eye and the intellectual curiosity to engage deeply with complex health sciences content. You bring:
• Exceptional editing and proofreading skills, with mastery of Pitt style guidelines and the ability to uphold brand and editorial standards across a high volume of content
• A talent for seeing the big picture: identifying story threads and thematic connections across schools, disciplines and audiences
• A proactive, self-directed work style with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Experience editing across formats and channels, from long-form features to social media copy
• Collaborative instincts, strong mentorship and the diplomacy to give feedback that improves work without undermining writers
Job Summary:
Edits and proofreads digital and print content that advances the Health Sciences strategic narrative. Ensures consistent messaging and upholds University brand and editorial standards across all six Health Sciences schools. This full-time role requires working in-person on Pitt’s Oakland campus at least three days a week.
Performs a variety of editorial duties (e.g., laying out, indexing, proofreading, and revising content of written materials) in preparation for final publication for one or more large-scale/high-profile projects adhering to style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements. Prepares, rewrites, and edits copy for multiple large-scale/high-profile projects for internal and external publication. Oversees publication production and assists with prospective manuscript work. Identifies subjects, interviews sources, and writes articles. Leads meetings and serves as an advisor for lower-level editors.
• Performs a variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, proofreading, and revising content of written materials, in preparation for final publication for one or more large-scale/high-profile projects.
• Prepares, rewrites, and edits copy for internal and external publication to improve readability for multiple large-scale/high-profile projects. Formats and typecodes manuscripts.
• Reads/proofs copy to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
• Plans the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
• Oversees publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
• Verifies facts, dates, and statistics using standard reference sources.
• Identifies subjects for articles and interviews sources; prepares information into written format or writes special articles. Develops story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
• Assists in soliciting, acquiring, and reviewing prospective manuscripts for publication. Reads and evaluates submitted manuscripts. Fosters effective communication with authors about their articles, notes, and manuscripts. Consults with writers regarding changes and production techniques to assure consistency of style and presentation.
• Leads acquisition, editorial, and production meetings. Acts as an advisor for lower-level editors.
• Consults with the marketing department to discuss advertising and sales programs.
Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Editor IV
- Job Family: Communications & Marketing
- Job Sub-Family: Editing
- Campus: Pittsburgh
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or related field required. Masters degree preferred. Editing experience at a newspaper, magazine or higher education environment required.
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.
- Hiring Range: $53,617 - $76,000 annually
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
- Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter
- Optional Documents: Writing Sample, Media Sample