Assistant Director of Editorial, Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Special Instructions to Applicants: In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is seeking a full-time Assistant Director of Editorial who serves as the senior writer/editor overseeing the day-to-day content strategy and editorial calendar for the Urban Edge news platform. Additionally, this role supervises staff, reviews content, enforces standards, oversees processes, and supports content development. The ideal candidate will have experience in print/digital journalism and be an exceptional writer and editor.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute has five research centers focused on critical issues shaping the Houston area: housing, education, community and public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each center approaches their topic area with interdisciplinary teams specializing in quantitative and qualitative research. The institute uses research-practice partnership (RPP) and community-engaged research models to jointly design, develop, and conduct research projects that value diversity in expertise and prioritize the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Houston and surrounding areas.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional journalist, writer, and editor who can collaborate with colleagues and community contributors to shape stories that engage audiences, amplify the impact of urban research, and support the mission of the Kinder Institute.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. [3 days in-office/2 days remote]. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
• 3+ years of experience overseeing the day-to-day content and process of a digital and/or print publication, as well as editing and writing content for external audiences. Experience supervising and collaborating with editors and writers
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to oversee all aspects of the editorial and publication process
• Advanced writing and reporting skills, and ability to synthesize material from multiple sources
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills to manage and coordinate complex editorial and publication projects
• Expert-level knowledge of job-required tools, applications, best practices, and AP style
• Demonstrated discretion and judgment in evaluating the implications of information released to internal and external audiences
• Adaptable to change

Preferences

• A master’s degree or significant familiarity with academic research and/or public pol