Ke Alaka'i Managing Editor
Inside Higher Ed, Houston, TX, United States
Job Summary
The Managing Editor of Ke Alakaʻi provides editorial leadership for BYU–Hawaii’s student‑run campus news outlet. This role oversees the day‑to‑day operations of the student newsroom, mentors and develops student journalists and creatives, and ensures Ke Alakaʻi produces timely, engaging, and student‑centered content that reflects campus life. The Managing Editor works closely with Marketing and Communications while maintaining Ke Alakaʻi’s distinct identity as a by‑students, for‑students publication. It functions as a storytelling and engagement platform that complements official university communications, strengthens internal engagement, develops student talent, and provides a living record of campus life.
Primary Responsibilities Student Newsroom Leadership & Development
Recruit, onboard, and supervise a high‑performing team of student journalists, photographers, videographers, and designers.
Support and advise weekly editorial and pitch meetings led by the student editorial team.
Ensure production schedules and deadlines are met.
Mentor students in ethical journalism, reporting and interviewing, visual storytelling, and professional communication.
Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance guidance.
Foster a creative, inclusive, and accountable newsroom culture.
Editorial Oversight & Content Strategy
Package and adapt stories for social and digital platforms.
Identify content suitable for collaboration with BYUH’s primary social media channels.
Train students to approach storytelling with a digital‑first mindset, including video, visuals, and short‑form content.
Oversee digital publishing workflows and Ke Alakaʻi’s online presence.
Ensure campus news content is accessible, engaging, and mobile‑friendly.
Digital‑First & Social Media Integration
Package stories for social media.
Identify content appropriate for collaboration with the main BYUH social channels.
Train students to think digital‑first in storytelling (video, visuals, short‑form content).
Oversee Ke Alakaʻi’s digital presence and publishing workflow.
Help ensure campus news content is accessible, engaging, and mobile‑friendly.
Magazine Oversight
Plan and oversee the production of one printed magazine per semester.
Develop themes that reflect campus life and student experience.
Ensure strong visual storytelling and broad student representation.
Coordinate photography, writing, design, and production timelines.
Position the magazine as a collectible, yearbook‑adjacent artifact for students.
Collaboration with Marketing & Communications
Participate in regular coordination meetings with Marketing & Communications.
Stay informed on upcoming events, initiatives, and announcements.
Translate key campus initiatives into student‑centered stories where appropriate.
Editorial Standards & Risk Awareness
Uphold university values and editorial guidelines.
Establish clear guardrails for student journalism.
Escalate sensitive content appropriately.
Ensure content reflects professionalism while allowing creative freedom.
Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field required.
3–5 years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, media production, or editorial leadership.
Experience working in higher education, student media, or mission‑driven organizations.
Strong understanding of digital‑first storytelling, including social and emerging media platforms.
Experience with photojournalism and/or video production to support multimedia reporting.
Working knowledge of content management systems and digital publishing workflows.
Interest in teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Arts & Letters.
Skills
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with demonstrated knowledge of AP style.
Ability to exercise sound editorial judgment and manage institutional messaging.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and respond effectively under pressure.
Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information.
Benefits
401(k) matching
Tuition benefits for employee and qualified dependents
Medical and Dental
Short‑ and Long‑term disability benefits
Paid parental and maternity leave
Relocation Package
Approximate starting salary:
$67,000 – $75,000. The salary offered could be above or below range based on education and experience as it relates to the job description.
As an educational institution affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, BYU‑Hawaii prefers to hire qualified members of the Church in good standing, as authorized under 41 C.F.R. 60‑1.5 (a)(6). To be eligible for employment, applicants who are members of the Church must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend and receive a clearance from the Church’s Ecclesiastical Clearance Office. Job applicants must be able to meet these conditions to advance through the hiring process successfully. An expired temple recommend will prevent consideration for hire.
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Primary Responsibilities Student Newsroom Leadership & Development
Recruit, onboard, and supervise a high‑performing team of student journalists, photographers, videographers, and designers.
Support and advise weekly editorial and pitch meetings led by the student editorial team.
Ensure production schedules and deadlines are met.
Mentor students in ethical journalism, reporting and interviewing, visual storytelling, and professional communication.
Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance guidance.
Foster a creative, inclusive, and accountable newsroom culture.
Editorial Oversight & Content Strategy
Package and adapt stories for social and digital platforms.
Identify content suitable for collaboration with BYUH’s primary social media channels.
Train students to approach storytelling with a digital‑first mindset, including video, visuals, and short‑form content.
Oversee digital publishing workflows and Ke Alakaʻi’s online presence.
Ensure campus news content is accessible, engaging, and mobile‑friendly.
Digital‑First & Social Media Integration
Package stories for social media.
Identify content appropriate for collaboration with the main BYUH social channels.
Train students to think digital‑first in storytelling (video, visuals, short‑form content).
Oversee Ke Alakaʻi’s digital presence and publishing workflow.
Help ensure campus news content is accessible, engaging, and mobile‑friendly.
Magazine Oversight
Plan and oversee the production of one printed magazine per semester.
Develop themes that reflect campus life and student experience.
Ensure strong visual storytelling and broad student representation.
Coordinate photography, writing, design, and production timelines.
Position the magazine as a collectible, yearbook‑adjacent artifact for students.
Collaboration with Marketing & Communications
Participate in regular coordination meetings with Marketing & Communications.
Stay informed on upcoming events, initiatives, and announcements.
Translate key campus initiatives into student‑centered stories where appropriate.
Editorial Standards & Risk Awareness
Uphold university values and editorial guidelines.
Establish clear guardrails for student journalism.
Escalate sensitive content appropriately.
Ensure content reflects professionalism while allowing creative freedom.
Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field required.
3–5 years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, media production, or editorial leadership.
Experience working in higher education, student media, or mission‑driven organizations.
Strong understanding of digital‑first storytelling, including social and emerging media platforms.
Experience with photojournalism and/or video production to support multimedia reporting.
Working knowledge of content management systems and digital publishing workflows.
Interest in teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Arts & Letters.
Skills
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with demonstrated knowledge of AP style.
Ability to exercise sound editorial judgment and manage institutional messaging.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and respond effectively under pressure.
Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information.
Benefits
401(k) matching
Tuition benefits for employee and qualified dependents
Medical and Dental
Short‑ and Long‑term disability benefits
Paid parental and maternity leave
Relocation Package
Approximate starting salary:
$67,000 – $75,000. The salary offered could be above or below range based on education and experience as it relates to the job description.
As an educational institution affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, BYU‑Hawaii prefers to hire qualified members of the Church in good standing, as authorized under 41 C.F.R. 60‑1.5 (a)(6). To be eligible for employment, applicants who are members of the Church must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend and receive a clearance from the Church’s Ecclesiastical Clearance Office. Job applicants must be able to meet these conditions to advance through the hiring process successfully. An expired temple recommend will prevent consideration for hire.
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