The Executive Director of Editorial Services serves as Howard University’s Editor-in-Chief and provides strategic leadership for the University’s enterprise-wide editorial vision, content strategy, and publication planning. As a member of the Office of University Communications (OUC) leadership team, the Executive Director is responsible for developing and executing an integrated editorial strategy that advances Howard University’s strategic priorities, enhances institutional reputation, strengthens brand identity, and elevates the University’s thought leadership and global visibility. Reporting to the Vice President & Chief Communications Officer, the Executive Director oversees the planning, creation, editorial direction and planning, governance, and continuous improvement of the University’s editorial portfolio, including but not limited to: Howard magazine, The Dig, annual reports, presidential and Administration publications, print and digital magazines, feature stories, newsletters, special reports, institutional profiles, executive communications, brochures, long-form storytelling, special editorial initiatives. This position also serves as the lead storyteller and writer for flagship print and digital publications.
The Executive Director establishes and maintains editorial excellence through University-wide standards for writing, editing, fact-checking, accessibility, brand voice, inclusive language, digital publishing, and content governance. The position ensures editorial consistency across print and digital platforms while promoting innovative storytelling approaches that engage internal and external audiences. The incumbent leads a collaborative editorial operation that integrates with media relations, digital communications, creative services, marketing, photography, video, social media, and web strategy to produce compelling, audience centered content across multiple channels.
Provides strategic leadership and supervision for the Editorial Services team, including staff writers,editors, editorial assistants, student interns, graduate assistants, freelance writers, copy editors, proofreaders, illustrators, printers, and publishing vendors. Responsible for recruitment, coaching, professional development, workload management, performance evaluations, succession planning, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing editorial culture.Manages the Editorial Services operating budget and vendor contracts.
This position exercises significant editorial judgment and serves as a University senior team lead on editorial quality, publishing standards, institutional voice, and editorial governance, and strategic communications that advance institutional priorities.The Executive Director collaborates extensively with senior University leadership, faculty, researchers, students, academic deans, administrative units, alumni, institutional partners, and external stakeholders to develop high-profile publications and to identify, develop, and amplify stories that demonstrate Howard University’s excellence, innovation, scholarship, service, and impact.