Lead Editor

JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Editor is responsible for leading the daily work of assigned team; provides direction, guidance and assistance to team members. The Lead Editor encourages collaboration among team members, approves/reviews current communication products, offers insight into content direction, troubleshoots issues and problem-solves when necessary, and works proactively to help both the team and stakeholders achieve goals and meet objectives.
The Lead Editor ensures that stakeholders' requests and the team's efforts align with Houston Methodist's overall marketing strategy(s).

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
• INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
• COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
• RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
• EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
• Focuses on patient/customer safety
• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
• Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports byenabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.
PEOPLE - 30 %

1. Leads and facilitates meetings as well as develops meeting objectives, agendas and action items. (EF)
2. Responsible for team members' assignments on daily operations and through the life cycle of a project, as well as contributes to team members' annual evaluations. (EF)
3. Oversees the work of contract writers and editors.

SERVICE - 25 %

1. Leads efforts to create and streamline editorial processes, as well as develops and executes market strategy within assigned scope. (EF)
2. Defines key messages and develops copy appropriate for various corporate communications and media channels including web, social media, email, digital posters, presentations and print materials. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25 %

1. Leads standards development and creating best practice guidelines for internal users, and ensures content conforms to established standards. (EF)
2. Acts as a brand steward, ensuring all messaging, copy and other content is within brand voice and editorial guidelines. (EF)
3. Partners with management on policies and procedures, editorial guidelines and maintaining documentation (such as conflicts of interest statements, author's checklists, releases, contracts and requests to reprint). (EF)
4. Tracks the status and manages the deadlines of all projects and determines if and when the team can accept and complete new jobs. (EF)

FINANCE - 10 %

1. Contributes to budget planning process through discovery and analysis of future projects.

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10 %

1. Fosters an environment that encourages innovation, continuous improvement and growth.; identifies opportunities to improve processes, and, in conjunction with Manager and Senior Editors, implements improved processes across entire team. (EF)
2. Proactively seeks opportunities to serve in leadership roles and facilitate marketing initiatives across departments. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Communication, English, Journalism, or related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 8 years experience in editing and/or writing.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

• None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications and Adobe Creative Suite and other desktop publishing apps.
• Ability to identify opportunities and propose solutions to make a project successful and satisfy stakeholders' needs
• Detail-oriented expert in copy editing and copy writing, with an unerring ability to make writing better through meaningful revisions and fastidious corrections
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities
• A thorough knowledge of contemporary editorial and web practices.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work AttireYes/NoUniform NoScrubsNoBusiness professionalYesOther (dept approved) No
On-Call* No (for Non-Exempt or Exempt jobs)
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above.
Travel**
May require travel within YesHouston Metropolitan area 
May require travel outside No of Houston Metropolitan area 
**Travel specifications may vary by department.
Please note any other special considerations to this job: __________________________

Houston Methodist (HM) is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers.  HM consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.  HM also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.  Overall, HM employs over 25,000 employees.   Houston Methodist is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide the best patient care and service in a spiritual environment.

 

In 2019 Houston Methodist and its physicians treat more than 6,333 international patients from more than 76 countries. Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services’ consulting and education divisions also provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.