Arts Content Writer wanted (premier academic institution) | $45 per hour

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Deadline: 19 September 2025

PROFILE:

• Employee status: Temporary, 9 months with an anticipated end date of June 2026

• Schedule: Part-time, contingent (20 hours/week)

• Structure: Hybrid schedule, 1 day per week on-site at Stanford’s Palo Alto campus

• Rate of pay: $45/hour

• Start date: October 2025

• Reports to: Creative Producer, Office of the Vice President for the Arts

JOB DESCRIPTION

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and improving our world. The university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. Stanford’s future success will be shaped by its diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture.

The Office of the Vice President for the Arts is seeking a part-time, temporary content writer to help shape and showcase the stories of Stanford’s incredible creative community. Output will range from feature stories intended for the Stanford Arts website and Stanford Report to shorter texts for newsletters, web pages, and social media posts (@StanfordArts). The ideal candidate is someone who can render the creative spark and cutting-edge work of interdisciplinary arts practitioners to demonstrate the vital contributions of the arts at a research university and in our society.

This temporary role is scheduled to work until June 2026, with possibility for extension.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Research and write compelling content for a variety of channels, including websites, newsletters, and social media, that showcases the dynamic creative and intellectual environment of Stanford Arts.

• Craft engaging narratives that highlight the achievements, programs, and initiatives of Stanford’s arts community, including faculty, students, alumni, and visiting artists, ensuring their stories resonate with on-campus and general audiences.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key campus stakeholders to identify story themes and newsworthy events/programs to promote and disseminate.

• Consult with internal and external partners to understand the need, purpose, and goal of writing projects and recommend appropriate approaches.

• Develop, compile and edit supplemental materials that support written communications (i.e., backgrounders, biographies, pitches).

• Edit written content prepared by other staff for style, clarity, and polish.

• Manage production of publications/communications using a collaborative editorial calendar and adhere to deadlines.

• Support consistency in voice and messaging across all platforms, aligning with Stanford Arts brand guidelines and University Communications style standards.

IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL BRING:

• Bachelor's degree and five years of related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

• Proven success in writing and editing for publication in print and/or digital platforms.

• Aptitude for storytelling, with a knack for finding a compelling and newsworthy angle that will attract and engage audiences.

• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and oral communication skills with proven ability to present ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.

• Strong research and reporting skills, with the capacity to synthesize across multiple sources and distill moderately complex concepts.

• Ability to change voice and writing style to align with brand guidelines and fit a particular audience and purpose.

• Strong grasp of web platforms and applications, including social media tools, email newsletter platforms, and current communication trends.

• Familiarity with the contemporary arts landscape and an understanding of the role of the arts in higher education.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple projects with varying deadlines.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 relevant writing samples that demonstrate your ability to engage and inform audiences about creative activities. To show versatility, samples should include at least one feature-length article (~1200 words) and one shorter sample (< 200 words).

Submit to: Taylor Jones (tlrjones@stanford.edu) with the subject line "Content Writer Application – [Your Name]"

Priority consideration will be given to materials received by September 19.

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CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):

Questions/applications: tlrjones@stanford.edu

Website: https://arts.stanford.edu/

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