Staff Reporter, UofT News

Date Posted: 02/19/2025
Req ID: 41717
Faculty/Division: Ofc. of Vice President, Communications
Department: Ofc. of Vice President, Communications
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00041067

Description:

About us:

University of Toronto Communications is focused on promoting, enhancing and protecting the U of T’s reputation through broader stakeholder engagement with the University’s mission, both internally and externally. Our award-winning team consists of best-in-class experts in media relations, news and magazine writing, video production, social media, digital design and development, communications planning and brand marketing. UTC is constantly innovating to develop best practices for storytelling and new products to better engage audiences, putting U of T at the forefront of post-secondary communications.

Your opportunity:

The Staff Reporter, U of T News, thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where the ability to generate a high volume of compelling, accurate and highly scrutinized stories is key. This position reports to the Editor in Chief and is responsible for researching and reporting daily news stories that align with the broader goals of the university’s communication priorities. 

Your responsibilities will include:

•    Implementing story sourcing strategies
•    Pitching stories of strategic value to others
•    Writing news and feature stories
•    Drafting and editing content for print and/or online communications channels
•    Editing content for style and tone
•    Serving as a resource to others by providing (non-supervisory) job-related guidance
•    Researching and recommending story ideas that advance priorities and initiatives. 
•    Conducting photography and/or videography shoots

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications

•    Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g. journalism) or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
•    Minimum four years' experience in progressively responsible and related positions in reporting or feature writing in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a high volume of content, with particular emphasis on, and expertise in, editing and production in an online environment.
•    Demonstrated initiative in uncovering and developing stories and finding creative ways to tell those stories in terms of style and platforms. 
•    Demonstrated excellent news writing experience, including demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality content across the broadest range of topics and appropriate to a range of communications platforms. 
•    Excellent and rapid writing skills and a demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts across a broad range of topics into stories that appeal to a general audience. 
•    Ability to manage conflicting priorities and shifting deadlines. 
•    Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to interact comfortably and respectfully with all levels of academic and administrative staff. 
•    Demonstrated excellence in copywriting, proofreading and editing skills for online communications, attention to detail and accuracy.

To be successful in this role you will be:

•    Approachable
•    Articulate
•    Communicator
•    Cooperative
•    Diplomatic
•    Multi-tasker
•    Organized
 

NOTE:  This is a six (6) month term, secondments are welcome.

Closing Date: 03/02/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Term 
Schedule: Full-Time NOTE:  This is a six (6) month term, secondments are welcome.
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 11 -- $75,223. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $96,196. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations
Recruiter: Blythe Campbell

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.