Pratt Institute’s Communications and Marketing division seeks a Staff Writer with a background in covering art, design, architecture and/or other areas of the arts/culture and proven experience in developing, writing, and editing compelling content to raise the visibility of Pratt Institute with key audiences. An important component of the role is its collaborative nature, as this person works closely with colleagues across the Communications and Marketing division who are responsible for social media, website, and media relations, as well as with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels and departments across the Institute on the academic and administration side.
The Staff Writer is responsible for developing engaging feature and news stories along with related content in order to showcase the Pratt Institute story, including the academic experience taking place in the studios and classrooms; student life; faculty achievements; civic engagement; initiatives related to social responsibility; and the contributions of outstanding alumni in their field.
Reporting to the Director of Editorial Communications, the position requires someone who is organized, detail-oriented, flexible, and a team player. The ideal candidate is a seasoned writer who knows how to identify and tell engaging stories that will maximize audience reach and engagement across platforms.
This is a hybrid work position that occasionally requires purposeful, on-campus presence.
A typical work day would include the following responsibilities:
Identify, research, develop, produce and publish compelling written content (feature articles, news stories, Q&As, short posts, etc.) that tells the Pratt story, raising awareness of the Institute and maximizing engagement with key audiences from faculty, students, staff, and alumni to the local community and the general public.
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing team colleagues to brainstorm, cultivate, and share story leads and strategies for external promotion.
Engage with the administration, academic schools, and colleagues within Communications and Marketing for story mining and development and to identify relevant topics for content that will resonate with key audiences in line with communications needs, objectives, and goals.
Route stories to stakeholders for review; edit, revise, and copy edit content as needed.
Work with stakeholders and Communications and Marketing colleagues to secure images to accompany articles.
Ensure all content is consistent with in-house editorial style and brand guidelines.
Uphold Pratt’s commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in communications and marketing efforts.
About Pratt Institute:
Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, PrattMWP College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt’s campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).
Since its founding in 1887, Pratt has prioritized diversity and inclusion, welcoming students from all walks of life while developing and sustaining pathways to more equitable workplaces and careers.
Pratt and its exceptional faculty pride themselves on being academically excellent as well as leaders in both in-person and online learning. Pratt students are part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, research- and inquiry-based education that prepares them for success in creative fields and professional practice. With a long-held commitment to the communities of New York, Pratt partners locally through the Pratt Center for Community Development to work for a more just city. The Institute also offers a variety of programs for local pre-college and continuing education students in the Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12 and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Additionally, Pratt partnered with Bank Street College of Education and the NYC Department of Education to develop and launch a new public high school situated in downtown Brooklyn dedicated to design and social justice, Design Works High School, opening in fall 2023.
An expanded version of the job will be shared if you are selected for an interview.
SALARY is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $69,000-$73,000. The position will be hybrid.
Generous Benefits:
- 403B Retirement Program
- Supplemental Retirement Account
- Tuition Benefits for Employees and Dependents
- Tuition Exchange Program
- Summer hours
- Flexible Spending Accounts – commuter, medical, dependent care
- Childcare Benefit
- Basic life and AD&D insurance provided by Pratt
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Coverage
- Paid time off – vacation days, sick leave, and major holidays off
- Additional Perks – free entry to select museums and cultural institutions, free use of campus recreation facilities, affordable
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or a related field (equivalent professional experience will be considered)
Experience:
- 4-5 years of full-time experience as a content writer, including long-form articles
- Superior grasp of English grammar/spelling; excellent copyediting and proofreading skills
- Ability to work with a wide range of subject matter and distill complex information or technical material for a general audience
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, showing initiative, flexibility, and collaborative instincts
- Desire and willingness to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of an institution, its key stakeholders, audiences and partners, to frame and advance the dynamic work and story of the community served
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in busy office environment
- Ability to handle situations with diplomacy and a professional demeanor at all times
Knowledge:
- Basic knowledge and understanding of fine art, design, architecture and/or other arts/culture fields preferred
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office) required. Experience with Apple OS, basic knowledge of Photoshop, and CMS experience helpful
- Experience within higher education/culture non-profit is a plus, but not a requirement
Application Instructions
- Please submit your cover letter, resume, and 2-3 relevant writing samples.
- If you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to provide at least 5 references via our online reference tool system. At least 2 of your references must be, or have been, your direct managers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.