Lead Writer & Project Lead

Public Relations Spec,Sr Requisition ID req36716 Working Title Lead Writer & Project Lead Position Grade 13 Position Summary Are you an entrepreneurial storyteller who loves uncovering meaningful work and bringing it vividly to life? Do you know how to ask great questions, find the right sources, and turn complex information into compelling, human-centered stories? If so, Project ECHO invites you to apply for a role with us: where you, and your writing, directly supports global impact. Project ECHO is seeking an experienced, highly motivated writer and communications professional to serve as the lead writer for external communications and project lead for our flagship annual Impact Report . This role is ideal for a journalist, public relations professional or senior content strategist. What You’ll Do Impact Report Project Management Project Lead: Lead end-to-end coordination of the annual Impact Report, including concept development, approvals, writing, photography, videos, testimonials, and data integration. Write and edit the Impact Report stories and copy. Oversee design and development in collaboration with internal and external partners. Evaluate analytics and performance data to inform future storytelling and strategic decisions. Lead Storyteller and Writer Serve as the primary writer for all external communications, including feature stories, annual Impact Report content, news releases, and other high-profile materials. Translate complex health and education initiatives into clear, engaging, and mission-driven narratives. Follow AP Style and has a keen eye for copy editing. Website Content and Digital Publishing Create, edit and manage content within the Project ECHO website CMS (projectecho.unm.edu). Ensure all web content follows best practices for accessibility, SEO and usability. Visual Storytelling (Photography & Video) Proactively capture or source photographs to accompany stories and build a robust, well-organized photo library with accurate captioning and usage data. Serve as project manager for video storytelling initiatives, coordinating projects with videographers and video editors as needed. Collaborative Communications Support Provide general communications support for urgent and strategic needs as priorities shift. Media Relations & Pitching (New Mexico Focus) Be responsible for our weekly Media Report. Respond promptly and professionally to media inquiries. Prepare spokespeople for interviews, provide media training, and monitor, track, and report on local, national, and international media coverage. What It Takes to Succeed This role requires exceptional writing ability, strong interpersonal skills and outstanding project management capability . You’ll be successful if you: Work confidently with minimal supervision Proactive self-starter: able to propose potential solutions and problem-solve Prioritize effectively; juggle multiple short and long-term projects, while meeting deadlines Build trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholders Are energized by collaboration, curiosity, and problem-solving Are deeply aligned with Project ECHO’s mission and values At Project ECHO, we believe that everyone, no matter where they live, should have good healthcare, education and a chance to thrive in their community. We work with partners all over the world; work hours outside of normal business hours may be required. Part of The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Project ECHO is funded by philanthropic grants and gifts, as well as federal and state government organizations. Project ECHO prides itself on being a values-based organization and an inclusive place to work. Our seven values include: Democratization of Knowledge, Excellence and Accountability, Innovation and Learning, Joy of Work, Mutual Trust and Respect, Service to the Underserved, and Teamwork. We strive to find employees who embrace and exemplify these values. To learn more, visit our Careers page . See the Position Description for additional information. Conditions of Employment If this position is assigned to the Athletics Department, either administratively or functionally, compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations is required. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with diverse, international stakeholders Photography experience, including editing and photo asset management Experience using content management systems Working knowledge of SEO best practices Outstanding writing and editing skills; professional journalism experience strongly preferred Excellent interviewing and source development skills Demonstrated experience with project management Comfort operating in a matrixed organizational environment Additional Requirements Campus Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM Department Project ECHO (259B) Employment Type Staff Staff Type Term - Full-Time Term End Date 06/30/2027 Status Exempt Pay Monthly: $4,277.87 - $6,009.47 Benefits Eligible This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information. ERB Statement As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid. Background Check Required Yes For Best Consideration Date 6/22/2026 Eligible for Remote Work Yes Eligible for Remote Work Statement This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. Application Instructions Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application. Please submit a current resume and a cover letter. On the resume, include month and year of start and end dates for each job listed. Please indicate whether each job listed was full-time or part-time. If part-time, include number of hours worked per week. Instructions for cover letter: please describe how you meet the preferred qualifications in the posting. Education verification documents (transcripts, high school diploma, or GED certificate) may be required at the time of hire. Please see minimum qualifications for specifics. Please include three writing samples. Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details. The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html . Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.