- Job Title: Content Writer & Editor
- Company: ACLU - National Office
- Location: New York, NY, United States
- Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2 days per week in-office)
- Category: Non-profit, Communications & Marketing
- Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Crafting compelling narratives and stories for ACLU's digital platforms
- Collaborating with internal and external storytellers to ensure diverse representation
- Optimizing content for SEO to improve search engine visibility and drive organic traffic
- Supporting content development at all stages of production
- Providing copywriting support for various marketing materials
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong writer and storyteller with a passion for social justice issues and the work of the ACLU.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- 📝 Content Creation & Editing:
- Write and produce original, well-researched, audience-driven content aligned with brand storytelling, advocacy, and engagement goals across multiple issue areas.
- Edit content to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to AP style and organizational style guidelines.
- Simplify complex language to make content accessible to a wider audience.
- 🤝 Collaboration & Relationship Building:
- Coordinate with the Managing Editor and web publishing team to shepherd written content through cross-departmental reviews.
- Cultivate relationships with storytellers, proposing innovative ways to reach new voices.
- Conduct research and interviews with clients, staff, and partners to develop compelling stories.
- 🎯 Special Projects & Other Duties:
- Adapt other content (podcasts, videos) into engaging web stories.
- Ghost-write on behalf of clients, staff members, or external contributors.
- Provide copywriting support for various marketing materials.
ASSUMPTION: This role may involve working on breaking news and rapid response periods, requiring the ability to produce copy on deadline.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related field.
- Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in one or a combination of the following areas: journalism, copywriting, digital communications, marketing communications, and storytelling.
- Required Skills:
- Proven ability to produce clear and concise copy for a national, generalist audience that is on-brand and on-message.
- Experience writing persuasive, issue-driven content that compels people to take action.
- Familiarity with AP style and SEO best practices.
- Ability to produce and edit content that is accurate, engaging, and optimized for web.
- Strong research and interview skills, with a commitment to ethical journalism.
- Proficiency in using content management systems and basic HTML.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working on issue-based advocacy campaigns and communicating complex issues to a variety of owned and targeted audiences.
- Ability to identify and manage multiple issues and content pieces, making recommendations for how to execute competing priorities.
- Experience sourcing diverse voices and perspectives for compelling storytelling.
- Experience working with freelancers or contractors.
- Familiarity with and experience writing about social justice issues, with a demonstrated interest in civil liberties and civil rights and passion for the work of the ACLU.
- Writing samples of past work or portfolio required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $104,593 (Level H) per year, reflecting the salary of a position based in New York, NY. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the listed location.
- Benefits:
- Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy.
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care, and fertility treatment.
- Plan for your retirement with a 401k plan and employer match.
- Support for employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs, and workshops.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's geographic pay structure and may be subject to change based on individual qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Non-profit Organizations, focusing on civil liberties and civil rights.
- Company Size: 501-1,000 employees.
- Founded: 1920.
- Company Description: The ACLU is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. They take up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.
- Company Specialties: Civil rights, freedom of speech, immigrants' rights, racial justice, criminal justice system reform, voting rights, LGBT rights, technology and liberty, women's rights, reproductive rights, religious liberty, civil liberties, and disability rights.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development.
- Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Managing Editor in the Brand Studio Unit.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
- Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the Communications & Marketing department or explore other roles within the ACLU.
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and campaigns.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid, with a focus on in-person collaboration and teamwork.
- Office Location(s): 125 Broad St, New York, NY 10004, US.
- Geographic Context: New York, NY, United States.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible work arrangement that balances remote work and in-office collaboration.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between independent work from home and collaborative in-office time.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process:
1. Online application review.
2. Phone or video screening.
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members.
4. Final interview with senior leadership.
- Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills.
- Ability to craft compelling narratives and stories.
- Knowledge of AP style and SEO best practices.
- Cultural fit and alignment with the ACLU's mission and values.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Showcase your portfolio or writing samples that demonstrate your ability to craft engaging, on-brand content.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your writing process, collaboration skills, and ability to handle competing priorities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal).
- Basic HTML and CSS.
- SEO tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs).
- Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: The ACLU values equity, transparency, and clarity in pay, as well as a commitment to advancing civil liberties and civil rights.
- Work Style: The ACLU fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment. They value employees who are committed to advancing the organization's mission and working collaboratively to overcome obstacles and conflicts.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the ACLU's mission and values?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders?
- How do you balance competing priorities and manage multiple projects?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working on breaking news and rapid response periods may require tight deadlines and quick turnaround times.
- Balancing remote work and in-office collaboration may present unique challenges, requiring strong communication and time management skills.
- The ACLU's mission-driven work may require employees to engage with sensitive and emotionally charged issues, which can be both rewarding and challenging.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Content Strategist: Focuses on developing and executing content strategies, often working with multiple teams and stakeholders. Requires strong project management and strategic thinking skills.
- Editorial Director: Oversees the editorial direction of a publication or platform, working closely with writers, editors, and designers. Requires strong leadership and management skills.
- Journalist: Focuses on investigative reporting, fact-checking, and delivering accurate, unbiased news stories. Requires strong research, interviewing, and writing skills.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a series of blog posts or articles on a specific civil liberties or civil rights issue.
- Creating a comprehensive guide or explainer on a complex topic, making it accessible to a general audience.
- Collaborating with designers and other creatives to develop engaging, on-brand content for various marketing materials.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall content strategy for the ACLU's digital platforms?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the ACLU's content team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the ACLU support the professional development and growth of its content team members?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working at the ACLU, and what unique challenges does the organization face?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://greenhouse.io/job_board/7825737002).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, showcasing your ability to craft engaging, on-brand content.
- Prepare a portfolio or writing samples that demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality content for various platforms.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your application, expressing your interest in the role and reiterating your qualifications.
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your writing process, collaboration skills, and ability to handle competing priorities.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
