Senior Writer / Editor

Are you a seasoned storyteller and editorial professional who thrives on creating meaningful content with broad reach? The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW–Madison, is seeking a Senior Writer / Editor to help shape two signature publications: as coeditor of On Wisconsin, the university’s award-winning quarterly alumni magazine that reaches more than 390,000 readers worldwide, and as editor of WFAA’s Awards Magazine. In this role, you’ll collaborate with colleagues and freelancers to produce compelling stories that celebrate the people, ideas, and impact of UW–Madison. This hybrid position is based in Madison, Wisconsin, with at least two days per week in the office.

Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.  

On Wisconsin

• Collaborate with staff at WFAA and the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) to produce On Wisconsin, UW–Madison’s quarterly alumni magazine.
• Partner closely with the OSC coeditor to plan and execute each issue.
• Hire freelance writers and secure photography and other visuals.
• Coordinate with the printer to ensure high-quality production and timely mailing.
• Ensure the magazine is produced on time and within budget.
• Share story ideas and success metrics with leadership at WFAA and OSC.
• Nominate On Wisconsin content for awards, as appropriate.

WFAA Awards Magazine

• Work closely with the alumni awards team to develop stories about award recipients.
• Coordinate with freelance writers and photographers.
• Lead production of a magazine highlighting award recipients.
• Provide the awards team with the information needed to stay on schedule and within budget.
• Support marketing efforts related to the awards program, as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Write for On Wisconsin and other WFAA publications.
• Maintain 4WARD records for people featured in On Wisconsin and constituents who write to the magazine.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications arts, or of a similar field.  
• 7 + years of experience in journalism, writing, publishing, communications, or a similar.
• Knowledge of magazine publishing,
• Experience working with writers and designers
• Expertise with Word, as well as Teams, Zoom, or similar conferencing software.
• Familiarity with InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
• Familiarity with MS Office software and Mac operating systems.

Other Qualifications:

• Experience working in Higher education.

• Experience with multimedia and digital publishing.

• Experience with hiring and managing freelancers.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interviewing skills, strong sense of initiative.
• Understanding of marketing and journalistic concepts, experience creating content about diverse constituencies, and a passion for UW–Madison.
• Expertise with Word, as well as Teams, Zoom, or similar conferencing software.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits!