Managing Editor

Position Number: 41271650

Payroll Title: MEDIA COMM SUPV 2 (006877)

Job Code: 006877

Job Open Date: 9/28/26

Application Review Begins: 10/13/26

Department Code (Name): PINF (NEWS & COMMUNICATIONS)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): 99- Non Represented

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 24

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,100 to $105,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $100,100 to $187,500/year.

Work Location: 1124 Cheadle Hall

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Hybrid Work Arrangement eligibility: Up to 1 day per week hybrid scheduling.

*As long as hybrid arrangements are approved by the Vice Chancellor. The University has the authority to change or revoke hybrid scheduling with reasonable notice. The incumbent must be available to be in the office full-time should operational needs require it.

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Office of Public Affairs and Communications is responsible for providing strategic communications support for UC Santa Barbara, working with both internal and external audiences. OPAC tells the exciting and important story of UCSB to the general public and our campus community. By working with local, regional, national and international print and electronic news media, the office strives to generate media coverage of the extraordinary development of UCSB as a leading research institution and of the people, programs, events and activities that distinguish the campus. In addition to its public information and media relations functions, the office designs and maintains the UCSB website and "The Current" news site about the University and the campus community, and produces major university publications.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

As Managing Editor in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications ("OPAC"), is responsible for a wide range of functions and tasks related to the presentation of the UC Santa Barbara story and image to the local national and international media, as well as to the general public and the campus community, through a variety of print and electronic means. Under direction from the Editorial Director, manages a team of writers who prepare news releases and feature stories about research and other campus activities, accomplishments, and events. Drawing on critical in-depth understanding of the university and the professional field, searches out and develops ideas for news releases and long-form feature articles, assigns them to the appropriate writer and provides guidance, as/if needed, on story development. Offers constructive feedback and edits, to the highest standard, on the work of all writers. Manages writers to deadlines and editorial calendars. Assists the Editorial Director with the planning, execution and project management of UC Santa Barbara Magazine. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting interviews and research, writing stories, arranging for photography, video or graphics as needed, and participating in the editing and proofing process. As a key player on a small team, also produces complex news releases, articles highlighting academic research as well as specific UC and campus initiatives, and long-form feature stories that cross disciplines and incorporate varying but related areas of research for university publications, including but not limited to The UCSB Current and UC Santa Barbara Magazine. Requires broad analysis and an understanding of UC and campus priorities. Also involves in-depth interviews, background research and arranging for photography, video or graphics. Handles breaking news situations as assigned, often dealing with sensitive or controversial issues and requiring confidentiality and discretion. Partners with Media Relations Manager to identify media opportunities relative to UCSB stories and, as needed, to address news-related media requests and inquiries by identifying faculty experts in appropriate disciplines and arranging media interviews with scholars and campus officials. Manages content curation for The UCSB Current and a companion e-newsletter. Collaborates with OPAC colleagues on social media.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Public Relations, and / or related field is required
• 4-6 years of related experience, including direct supervision of subordinate staff
• 10+ years of broad experience in public relations, communications and/or journalism
• 10+ years of excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, and active listening skills in higher education
• 4-6 years of demonstrated expert management skills to select, train, evaluate, lead, direct, guide and motivate subordinate staff to produce high-quality work; skill to take corrective
• Advanced judgment, analytical and decision-making skills and advanced political acumen.
• Impeccable writing and editing skills; extensive journalism experience, including at print magazines; excellent communication skills; ability to work under strict deadlines and adapt to changing priorities; ability to build and maintain good working relationships at all organizational levels and within the media; excellent judgment and discretion and ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in related field
• 1-3 years of experience working with photos and other visuals to ensure high-quality and engaging presentation of work
• Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to work some weekends and evenings in order to meet deadlines.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 50% Team supervision - In consultation with the Editorial Director: * hires, trains, mentors and evaluates work of subordinate staff in telling UC Santa Barbara stories - particularly about research activities - and building public awareness of campus activities and events, developments and discoveries, issues and individuals; * manages daily workflow, overseeing The Current's editorial calendar and serving as story consultant and copy editor for work generated by the writing staff * oversees image selection and layout to help ensure quality visual presentation of all stories; partners with photographers and illustrators as needed to plan and produce visuals * shapes and edits content to a high standard, coaching writers to tell great stories and evaluating performance to consistently improve their work.
• 40% Content development and storytelling * develops sources across campus and maintains a portfolio of departmental beats * crafts complex news releases and articles highlighting the scholarly, research and other accomplishments of UCSB faculty, staff and students - as well as specific UC and campus initiatives - and writes long-form feature articles that cross disciplines and incorporate varying but related areas of research and scholarship for the campus's primary news site, The UCSB Current * contributes stories and other writing for other university publications and platforms, including UC Santa Barbara Magazine, and collaborates with other OPAC colleagues to develop digital content in support of editorial work product
• 10% Curation and production * manages curation of The UCSB Current and a companion email newsletter sent to faculty, staff and community subscribers, identifying and prioritizing the news and events highlighted in each issue. * collaborates in planning and production of video features and other digital content, including script writing and interviewing campus scholars about their newsworthy research and publications, for use in coordination with news releases, articles and events, and for use on the UCSB website, The UCSB Current, the campus's primary social media channels, and UC Santa Barbara Magazine; participates in copy editing, titling and post-production of videos.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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