Senior Writer

Grand Canyon University!  One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. 

The Office of Communications and Public Relations at Grand Canyon University is responsible for two general-interest publications created for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public. Our mission is to tell the stories of the University in an informative and timely manner across multiple platforms, guided by principles of accuracy and fairness.

Do you like to work with creative minds and develop unique projects? Grand Canyon University's Public Relations/Communications department is seeking a Senior Writer. This person is responsible for identifying, researching and writing copy for a variety of internal GCU printed and electronic communications as part of the News Bureau team. This role is located at our our Main Campus on 33rd Ave and Camelback.

What you will do:

• Works collaboratively with the communications team to produce and coordinate a variety of electronic and printed communication vehicles targeted to internal (current students, faculty, staff and alumni) and external audiences.

• Reports on campus news, which ranges from music, public events, academic issues and/or highlights to student campus life.

• Contributes to all GCU communication as needed for GCU News and GCU Magazine.

• Serves as a resource to internal University clients by assisting them in planning, editing and writing marketing and nonmarketing related material.

• Assists with internal communications and public relations efforts with outside media.

• Ensures that internal communications reflect the voice, tone and culture of GCU.

• Develops a production schedule and meets with internal clients on a regular basis to ensure that all project deadlines are on schedule. 

• Assists with maintenance of the GCU News website, which involves publishing stories, slideshows and videos and may involve photographing and posting photos.

What you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in journalism, communications, marketing or English.

• Minimum of 5 years’ related work experience in public relations or public/external affairs.

• Proven record (portfolio) of writing for a variety of audiences and taking complex concepts and key messages and simplifying them into easy-to-read stories.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends or holidays when necessary.

• If supporting athletics, may require ability to travel overnight during weeknights and weekends.

• Exceptional writing skills for both internal messaging and content publishing.

• Strong writing, editing and copy writing skills to AP Style.

• Ability to convey complex subject matter in an understandable and interesting style.

• Ability to distill information to key message points.

• Ability to develop strong working relationships with all internal stakeholders to craft meaningful and understandable communications based on audience needs.

• Ability to confidently converse with associates at all levels of the organization through a variety of channels.

• Ability to think and communicate clearly - formulate a clear point of view on complicated issues and create a concise and well-written narrative to express it.

• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan

• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays

• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events

• Free covered parking

• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program

• Free on-site gyms on campus