Editor and Speech Writer

WRITER EDITOR 3 CM (005386)

UCPath Position ID: 41226506

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/23/2026 3:11:39 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/23/2026 3:11:36 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1130O

Organization:

HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL ENGR & APPL SCIENCE

Division Code:

1131D

Division:

ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIEN DIV        

Department:

011500 - DEAN, SEAS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41226506

Position Description ID

216359

UC Payroll Title:

WRITER EDITOR 3 CM (005386)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

CM: Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40057567

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM MGR 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40047801

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Assistant Dean and Chief Marketing Communications Officer (CMO), the Editor and Speechwriter (ESW) works with UCLA Samueli marketing communications staff, colleagues from seven departments, an affiliated department, as well as other academic and administrative units across the school to develop content for the UCLA Samueli Newsroom. The ESW will contribute to and help maintain,  an annual editorial calendar in accordance with established themes, priorities and editorial guidelines. The ESW is responsible for reviewing draft submissions, providing editing and working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to complete revisions as needed. The UCLA Samueli Newsroom generally follows the Associated Press style guide and uses a WordPress web content management system. The ESW also collaborates with marketing communications staff to identify and select appropriate graphics and imagery, including photographs, videos, charts and graphs, captions and credit attributions to accompany stories on the UCLA Samueli Newsroom, and content distributed to media.

For major research stories or initiatives, the ESW will also interview relevant individuals and write original stories for publication and collaborate with campus Newsroom editorial staff to support publication of UCLA Samueli stories on the main campus Newsroom. Using existing or new monthly data and insights, the ESW will collaborate with writers and colleagues to produce content that supports UCLA Samueli's communications goals and reaches target mainstream and trade meda as well as other audiences (alumni and industry collaborators, prospective faculty and students, etc.)

The ESW works on multiple assignments with competing deadlines based on administrative priorities, academic journals' publication dates for faculty research studies, launch dates for major initiatives and other considerations as determined by the CMO. The ESW coordinates assigned projects and communicates regularly with the CMO and communications colleagues regarding project status, deadlines and editorial needs.

The ESW will draft and edit remarks for the Dean and other senior leadership of UCLA Samueli for various school events and outside speaking engagements. To ensure consistent messaging, the ESW will also edit official statements and presentations by the dean and other school leadership, monthly digital newsletters, media advisories and other marketing communications print or digital materials produced by the Office of Marketing Communications or other school units.

The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering Office of Marketing Communications spearheads marketing communications strategies and branding initiatives, manages internal and external communications, and develop digital and print content and branded materials for the Birthplace of the Internet and UCLA's largest professional school that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. UCLA Samueli faculty are at the forefront of many exciting research areas, including robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computational medicine, climate change, sustainability, quantum computing, data sciences, cryptography and many other emerging technologies. Along with promoting groundbreaking faculty research, the office also highlights achievements of students and alumni, schoolwide initiatives and programs, as well as UCLA Samueli's many collaborations with industry partners and leading national and state government or nonprofit entities.

Editorial Content Generation and Coordination

1. Provide editing and writing for UCLA Samueli Newsroom. 2. Coordinate and help maintain the annual editorial calendar and edit/write research articles, feature stories and, announcements for UCLA Samueli Newsroom. 3. Research and organize technical or complex information into clear, accurate and engaging editorial content. 4. Coordinate and complete assigned editing and writing projects according to established deadlines and provide regular status updates to the Assistant Dean/CMO. 5. Communicate regularly and professionally with department co-workers and partners within the school and across campus to support successful completion of projects. 6. Attend department meetings, editorial and production meetings, Campus Strategic Communications meetings and other meetings as necessary.

70%

Executive Communications

1. Draft and edit speeches and other executive communications. 2. Write or edit talking points, remarks and other communications. 3. Write, or edit drafts of statements, presentations and other materials to reflect the voice and priorities of the Dean or other key school leadership.

20%

Editorial and Marketing Input

1.  On an ongoing basis, the ESW will work with Assistant Dean/CMO and marketing communications colleagues to provide editorial and marketing input in support of established branding, marketing and communications initiatives designed to enhance UCLA Samueli's leadership in engineering and computer science. 2. Support development of messaging for speeches, presentations, communications materials and campaigns consistent with established UCLA Samueli communications priorities.

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in Journalism or related field and extensive experience with AP Style or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

A minimum of 5 years

of full-time daily news copyediting or comparable professional news media experience as a senior newsroom editor and writer with a digital and/or daily print publication.

Required

Experience with speech and script writing and editing for major events and/or marketing videos

Preferred

Experience in covering science and technology beat or section

Preferred

1. Strong skill in storytelling, transforming technical information into polished, easy-to- understand, compelling, well-organized, fact-checked and grammatically correct news releases, feature articles, briefs, media advisories and other communications materials within established deadlines.

Required

2. Familiarity with WordPress publishing and ability to post website content in an aesthetically pleasing manner, including imagery and videos as needed.

Required

3. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with university administrators, students, faculty and staff, alumni, volunteers, community leaders, and current and prospective donors.

Required

4. News judgment and skill in organizing stories and news releases to maximize interest from journalists and the general public.

Required

5. Demonstrated problem-solving ability to address editorial and project issues, professionalism and sound judgment.

Required

6. Ability to work independently on assigned projects and and follow through in accordance with established priorities, guidelines and deadlines.

Required

7. Skill in using a computer for word processing, email, calendaring, database and online research.

Required

8. Ability to work outside of regular office hours when necessary, including some evenings, weekends and occasional holidays due to breaking news or other time-sensitive projects. Must be willing and able to respond to urgent inquiries by phone, text, email, etc. outside of office hours as needed.

Required

9. Other Requirements - Applies to all Positions: Performs other duties as assigned, complies with all policies and standards and complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

584 Engineering VI

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.