University of Chicago is hiring: Senior Writer in Chicago

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University of Chicago provided pay range

This range is provided by University of Chicago. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$63,750.00/yr - $82,500.00/yr

Department: ESA Admissions Deputy Director Direct Reports 1

About The Department

The Office of College Admissions has a staff of over 40 people, most of whom are Admissions Counselors. They manage marketing to, and recruitment of, prospective students as well as the admissions process for first year and transfer students into The College, and summer programs for high school students. The Office of College Admissions is a forward‑facing department often providing the first impression of UChicago to visitors in‑person and virtually as well as telephonically and via email engagement. Of its several schools and departments, The College is the single‑largest entity and this office is responsible for bringing to campus a class of students with a diverse set of backgrounds who are prepared to take on rigorous academics while engaging with the University, surrounding neighborhood, and city of Chicago.

Job Summary

The Senior Writer must be highly collaborative and adept at working both independently and across teams. You will manage complex writing projects from concept to execution, ensuring consistency, clarity, and brand alignment across all communications. In addition to writing and editing responsibilities, you will contribute to high‑level messaging strategies and support cross‑functional initiatives within the Admissions team, including support for Summer Session programming, Small Town and Rural Students Network, and the Advanced Scholars Program, among others. As with all Admissions staff, this role may include recruitment and application review responsibilities, along with project management duties within specialized teams.

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate exceptional writing and editorial skills, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the admissions landscape. As a Senior Writer, you will lead the development of compelling digital and print content that shapes the voice of the University of Chicago’s Office of College Admissions. You will play a key role in crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, supporting the University's recruitment and engagement efforts at a national and global scale.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a lead writer and editor for high‑impact admissions materials.
• Lead writer and editor for summer session admissions materials and communications.
• Lead writer for advanced scholars and 4 +1 communications and materials.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to craft effective messaging strategies.
• Manage complex projects from concept through execution.
• Provide editorial guidance and mentorship to fellow writers and communicators.
• Support strategic initiatives that advance outreach and enrollment goals, including support for Summer Session programming, Small Town and Rural Students Network, and Advanced Scholars Program.
• Write in‑depth pieces relating to specialized fields (e.g., scientific writing) with moderate guidance.
• Participate in design and planning of communications strategies.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum: College or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience

Minimum: 2-5 years of experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Presentation skills.

Working Conditions

• Weekend and evening availability is expected throughout the year for some aspects of the position.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$63,750.00 - $82,500.00

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.