Copywriter & Content Developer

Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break.

We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs. The Copywriter/Content Developer develops, researches, writes and edits content in support of CSM Marketing priorities and initiatives, creating clear, compelling, audience-focused content for marketing and communications efforts that support recruitment, enrollment, student engagement, Continuing Education, institutional priorities and other strategic needs.

Working in collaboration with Marketing team members, college departments and subject-matter experts, the position gathers information and translates complex academic, programmatic and institutional information into effective content for identified audiences. Responsibilities include research, interviews, message development, fact-checking, storytelling, and adapting content across email, web, advertising, print, video and other marketing and communications channels.

The position also develops stories and promotional content highlighting CSM programs, people, accomplishments and outcomes and supports new and emerging content needs identified by Marketing. Reports to: Director 1, Marketing The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised. This position is open until filled. Examples of Duties 35% Content Development, Writing, and Storytelling Researches, develops, writes and edits compelling, audience-focused content for CSM marketing and communications channels, including web, email, advertising, print, newsletters, direct mail, presentations, video, social media and other digital and multimedia platforms.

Produces content for HawkTalk, CSM's weekly student e-newsletter, including gathering information from across the college and developing student-focused headlines, summaries, features and calls to action. Develops content for Continuing Education schedules and promotions, including introductory content and promotional messaging. Provides writing, research, interviewing and content-development support for major institutional publications and projects, including the Annual Report and Career Pathways magazine.

Researches and develops faculty profiles, alumni testimonials, student success stories, program features and other storytelling content that demonstrates the value and impact of a CSM education. Develops and refreshes website content, translating complex academic, programmatic and institutional information into clear, accessible and audience-focused language. Reviews and edits content developed by others for clarity, accuracy, organization, grammar, style, tone, brand alignment and suitability for the intended audience and communication channel. 25% Recruitment, Enrollment and Strategic Marketing Content Develops recruitment and enrollment communications, including prospect and student email campaigns, landing page copy, direct mail, advertising copy and audience-specific messaging that supports college enrollment goals.

Develops messaging for collegewide initiatives and priorities, including campaign concepts, headlines, slogans, key messages, talking points, event promotions, presentations and other communications. Ensures messaging is cohesive, audience-appropriate and strategically aligned across communication channels, adapting core messaging and long-form content into channel-appropriate versions for email, web, advertising, print, video, social media and other communications platforms.

Collaborates with the Marketing team on campaign concepts, messaging and content approaches that support marketing, enrollment, and institutional objectives. 20% Research, Interviews, and Collegewide Collaboration Conducts research and interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, employers and other subject-matter experts to gather accurate, meaningful content. Collaborates with departments and subject-matter experts across the college to understand communication goals, identify key messages and translate specialized information into effective marketing and communications content.

Researches programs, initiatives, trends and subject matter necessary to develop accurate and compelling content. Reviews and fact-checks content for accuracy, clarity, consistency, accessibility, brand alignment and appropriateness for the intended audience and communication channel. 15% Multimedia and Emerging Content Writes scripts and develops content for video, message-on-hold programming and other multimedia communications.

Supports content development for CSM-TV, including program concepts, scripts, interviews, features, promotional content, and other storytelling needs. Develops and adapts content to support emerging digital and multimedia storytelling opportunities. Collaborates with Marketing team members on multimedia concepts and approaches. 5% Time-Sensitive, Emergency, and Other Marketing Support Supports time-sensitive and emerging communications needs as college initiatives and priorities arise.

Assists with emergency communications for the college as needed. Carries out special projects and programs as assigned. Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, English, public relations or a related field. Two or more years of professional experience in writing, editing, content development, marketing communications, or a related field. Supplemental Information Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, with demonstrated ability to develop and adapt clear, compelling content based on audience, communication objective and channel, including prospective students, current students, employees, community members and other key audiences.

Ability to research complex topics and translate academic, technical or institutional information into accessible, audience-focused communications. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to conduct interviews and build rapport with students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and other sources to develop meaningful content.

Strong storytelling skills and ability to identify compelling narratives that support institutional, marketing and enrollment objectives. Knowledge of content development for digital, print, email, web, advertising, video and multimedia platforms. Ability to adapt messaging, tone, length and format for different audiences and communications channels. Strong copy editing, proofreading, fact-checking and quality-control skills Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines and editorial schedules.

High level of creativity, initiative and attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with content management systems and other digital content tools PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is mostly sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

General Employment Information The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Background Checks The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check. Conflict of Interest policy No College of Southern Maryland employee shall engage in or have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any activity that conflicts or raises a reasonable question of conflict with his or her duties and responsibilities.

CSM Employees shall not at any time engage in any outside employment or independent consulting that would adversely affect their employment status or performance as employees at the college, create a conflict of interest, or, with the exception of constitutionally protected activities, would compromise or embarrass the college, or adversely affect professional standing. Any full-time college employee who also holds a full-time position or its equivalent in consulting elsewhere (whether permanent or seasonal) will be deemed to have a conflict of interest and will be asked to resign from one of the full-time positions.

Full-time employees must promptly disclose in writing, on a form available from the Human Resources Office, to the college all other full-time employment or its equivalent in independent consulting. Employment Frequently Asked Questions Click here to find our frequently asked questions: https://www.csmd.edu/employment/frequently-asked-questions/index.html