Reports to: Director of Publications
Department: Publications
Salary range: £37,500-£40,000 based on skills and experience
Location: Hybrid: at least two days a week in RUSIs London office
Contract: Permanent
About the Team
RUSIs Publications team manages and delivers a wide range of research and membership outputs. This includes approximately 80 research publications per year which are written by internal and external research colleagues, and which combine scholarly rigour and policy relevance. The team supports the delivery of content for our members, including Newsbrief, our regular briefing on contemporary issues in international defence and security, and the RUSI Journal, a leading peer-reviewed academic journal. It also manages the delivery of current awareness content, including Commentary, which provide insights and analysis on the latest developments in international affairs, defence and security and which is one of our key engagement tools.
Main purpose of post
The Content Editor provides quick and accurate editorial support on a range of our most time-sensitive and frequent content types, including Commentary (usually daily) and Newsbrief (usually weekly), and our corporate communications (including marketing and events copy).
This is an exciting time to join RUSI, as we approach our bicentennial and consider how we can build on our strong roots as a membership body and research institute, to further our reach and impact. The Content Editor will be involved in discussions on how to enhance our membership offering and audience engagement through an evolution of our content, including Newsbrief and Commentary.
The role could develop in future to support this evolution, and future opportunities may include content commissioning, copywriting and/or data visualisation. Experience in one or more of these fields would be an advantage for applicants.
Key tasks
- Copy-edit and proofread all Commentary pieces, working closely with the Editor to ensure both quality control and timely publication.
- Own, plan and deliver Newsbrief content, monitoring performance and shaping, in liaison with colleagues, the strategic direction for this content type as part of the wider membership offering.
- Publish all Commentary and Newsbrief pieces online, sourcing appropriate and impactful images to accompany each piece.
- Copy-edit and proofread RUSIs corporate communications outputs (including marketing and events copy), to ensure effective quality control and impactful messaging and ensure the timely delivery of cleared copy to key stakeholders.
- Assist staff members with corporate communications processes, and own and manage RUSIs corporate communications house style.
- Manage RUSI's Trench Gascoigne Essay Prize, including promoting the competition, managing and longlisting submissions, and liaising with the judging panel.
- Provide editorial support for other publications work, as directed by the Director of Publications.
The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake such duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.
Person specification
Essential skills and experience
- A strong interest in and understanding of international affairs, defence and security, ideally evidenced through education, work experience or both.
- Excellent literacy skills and proven experience of copy-editing and proofreading to a high standard, ideally in a fast-paced environment.
- The ability and confidence to spot and raise substantive queries as part of the editing process, for instance where meaning is not clear or insufficient evidence has been provided.
- The ability to multi-task and manage multiple pieces of content on any one day, editing at speed while maintaining accuracy and quality control.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to meet and/or manage expectations from multiple stakeholders, building effective, collaborative relationships and balancing speed with quality control.
- Proven experience of publishing content in content management systems, ideally including acting as a superuser or expert on a content management system in a previous role.
- Proven experience of writing and/or editing content optimised for the web.
- An excellent eye for what makes an image impactful and engaging, and an ability to source at speed appropriate imagery to accompany articles, including through image databases.
Desirable skills and experience
- An MA or similar in a related field, such as international relations, defence studies or war studies.
- Experience in using AI tools to support content (e.g. creation and/or editing) and/or graphics (e.g. sourcing, creating and/or editing imagery).
- An understanding of SEO best practice and tools such as Semrush or Moz.
- Experience in copywriting, content commissioning and/or data visualisation.
- Experience in content marketing.
- Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector.
Our expectations
We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSIs Vision and Values https://rusi.org/content/values and Equal Opportunities Statement.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
- Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days
- Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution,
- Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Season ticket loan
- Free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
- Trained Mental Health First Aiders
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- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Depending on length of service
Application Process
To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions. You will be asked to include:
- Your CV;
- Cover letter of no more than one page.
If selected shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interviews. Successful candidate will be then invited to complete a written task. by
Closing date: 23:59 UK on 5th of January 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged.
Equal Opportunity and Values
At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.
Were aware that the questionnaire may not capture the rich complexities of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.
If you have any questions, please contact hr@rusi.org
