Staff Writer

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Position Title

Staff Writer

Job Classification

Full-time; Exempt

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Occasional evening and weekend hours

Work Location

Hybrid Work Schedule

Salary Range

$50,000-$55,000

Reporting Relationship

Managing Editor, Crimson & Blue magazine

Primary Accountability

The Staff Writer is a skilled, enthusiastic storyteller who focuses primarily on finding, reporting and writing original articles for print and/or online publication in Crimson & Blue magazine. The Staff Writer, who works closely with KU Alumni’s publications and digital communications teams and all program directors, is able to see the KU ecosystem — alumni, students, faculty, academics, campuses, traditions — as a vast well of source material and has a demonstrated ability to write articles that inform, entertain and inspire.

Major Duties
  • Finds, reports and writes compelling, high-quality stories about the KU ecosystem for print publication (biannually) and online publication (weekly). Topics include human interest, coverage of academics and research, historical interest, coverage of KU news and events, and coverage of KU Alumni news, programs and events.
  • Supports the development of KU Alumni’s storytelling website, crimsonandblue.org, primarily through the posting of original content.
  • Assists in storytelling efforts at the Jayhawk Welcome Center, including the development of digital content for exhibits within the building.
  • Helps source and write Crimson & Blue’s Class Notes section.
  • Copy-edits and proofreads all articles for Crimson & Blue’s print edition.
Qualifications
  • College degree (journalism, English or creative writing preferred) and one to three years’ experience writing for a magazine, newspaper or other media outlet.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to envision and write articles in a variety of different writing formats, including longform, profile, news, synopsis, Q&A, multi-element packages and short/scannable pieces.
  • Ability to write on a deadline.
  • Strong copy editing and proofreading skills, with proficiency in Associated Press style. Highest attention to detail.
  • Strong fact-checking skills and commitment to accuracy.
  • Experience working in a CMS (WordPress preferred).
  • Knowledge of KU history and traditions.
  • Ability to take direction and adjust work output accordingly.
  • A self-starter who proactively pursues story leads and can manage multiple article assignments at once.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively with team members from all departments, as well as externally with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with the demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
  • Positive, collaborative attitude.
  • Maturity, cultural depth and breadth, discipline, creativity and integrity.
  • Ability to travel, and to work nights and weekends as required.
Physical/Environmental Demands:
  • Frequent: sitting, hearing, listening, talking (on phone, in person), reading (including computer screens, mail), interaction with staff, alumni, students, University colleagues, vendors, donors, members, and corporate partners;
  • Often: repetitive hand motion (such as typing or picking)
  • Occasional: work outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends; travel by car or plane to off-site meetings and events; ability to lift or have the ability to utilize reasonable available resources to maneuver up to ten (10) pounds; and exposure to noise and temperature variances at both indoor and outdoor events.
Additional Duties:

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.

Application Deadline:

Posted Jan. 13, 2026. Review of applicants begins Jan. 27 and will continue until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest along with a résumé, five published writing samples, and contact information for three professional references to dparman@kualumni.org.

It is the policy and commitment of KU Alumni to prohibit discrimination in employment practices, organizational activities and provision of services on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Above and beyond discrimination/harassment based on protected characteristics, KU Alumni also strives to prevent subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (like bias and stereotyping). Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place here.

 

KU Alumni is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact Dwight Parman at dparman@kualumni.org or 785.864.4763.

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