Position Description
The Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator reports to the Editorial Director and is part of a high- performing editorial team in Harvard Medical School's Office of Communications and External Relations (OCER). The team produces written and multimedia content for HMS that is published digitally and in print, including in our magazine, news website, emails and newsletters, annual report, dean’s communications, and social media.
This position requires mastery of grammar and punctuation; fluency with AP, Chicago, and digital style guidelines; keen attention to detail; dedication to accuracy; and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline- driven environment. Day-to-day duties include copyediting, proofreading, and fact checking; maintaining style guidelines for OCER and the School; and some writing and editing as assigned. The Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator collaborates with editors, writers, multimedia producers, project managers, and designers to ensure that OCER and its partners consistently produce top-quality, error-free content that educates the public and the community about the institution’s mission and achievements.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides copyediting, proofreading, QA, and fact checking for a variety of OCER-produced digital and print communications materials, including the HMS website and magazine, news releases, daily/weekly/monthly/periodic e-newsletters, the annual Dean’s Report, letters and emails from leadership and other community members, event invitations and programs, posters, fact sheets, long- and short-form narrative pieces, magazine inserts, video and podcast scripts, social media content, speeches, marketing materials, and other collateral as assigned.
- Coordinates and prioritizes the intake of copyediting and proofing requests, assigning overflow as needed.
- Ensures all written materials conform to editorial style standards, using AP, Chicago, or digital style guides as appropriate. Is able to master higher education and Harvard/HMS-specific styles as outlined in the OCER Style Guide. Regularly reviews OCER’s posted news and magazine content to ensure consistency of style and format.
- Provides evolving style guidance to OCER and the School. Manages and periodically updates OCER Style Guide, discusses proposed changes with colleagues as needed, and communicates changes in collaboration with the Editorial Director. Identifies and participates in professional development on style and related best practices. Works to ensure that HMS/OCER keeps current with inclusive language guidelines and other relevant trends.
- Implements and adheres to version control procedures and is adept at editing in Microsoft Word, Dropbox, Google Docs, and other electronic files, as well as OCER’s Drupal-based CMS environment.
- Consults appropriate HMS databases and personnel to check names, degrees, and titles. Demonstrates comfort navigating additional internal and external research services for fact checking and content gathering.
- Suggests and initiates copyediting and proofing process improvements as warranted.
- Coordinates editorial projects as assigned, including maintaining OCER’s collection of biographic sketches of select HMS faculty and staff.
- Incorporates guidance from OCER colleagues into copyediting procedures as appropriate, such as SEO, usability, and accessibility best practices.
- Serves as liaison to assigned HMS Quad or affiliate beats, maintaining contact on a regular basis and helping assess suitability of received content for HMS news and social channels.
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Basic Qualifications
4 or more years of experience. Higher education may count towards experience.
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Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum of three years’ experience in copyediting and style leadership in a comparable environment.
- Deep knowledge of AP and Chicago Manual of Style and the ability to learn, apply, and evolve OCER style.
- Five or more years of related experience strongly preferred.
- Familiarity or comfort working with scientific and medical information strongly preferred.
- College degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred.
- Must be detail oriented and able to prioritize work.
- Must be able to complete assignments in a timely manner, handling sometimes short and competing deadlines with aplomb and without compromising accuracy.
- Solid computer skills in PC and Mac environments with the capability to master new digital tools, software applications, and technologies.
- Comfort with Microsoft Office and on-screen editing in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Experience with content management systems. Accurate and efficient word processing skills.
- Comfortable taking initiative and being a self-starter.
- Must have a strong work ethic.
- Must be comfortable working independently with minimum supervision as well as collaboratively on a team.
- Must be motivated to learn and flexible when encountering change.
- Must have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, able to maintain a professional demeanor and develop strong relationships with members of the University community.
- Has the confidence to present to groups and to uphold style decisions in individual and small-group discussion.
- Must be honest and reliable.
- Must be able to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Familiarity with social media preferred.
- Sense of humor appreciated.
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Additional Information
Resume and cover letter required for consideration. Candidates should feel free to express opinions on “copy editor” vs. “copyeditor” in their cover letters.
All finalists will be asked to complete a writing and editing assessment.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.
The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to keep in touch and learn about future opportunities! (https://www.gem.com ?formID=16341e35-cbc6-4904-88a3-09b35763307e)
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EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.,
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values
https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms/campus-culture/mission-community-values-diversity-statement
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