Associate Director of Publications

Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy

Associate Director shaping Rice University's urban research publications for Houston communities. Leading editorial workflows, standards, and collaboration with researchers and communications teams.

Posted 8/17/2026full-timeHouston • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 - $105,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in editorial management, including the development and review of research publications, while ensuring adherence to editorial standards and quality assurance processes. Proven ability to lead teams, manage publication workflows, and provide substantive feedback to enhance written content for diverse audiences.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Editorial ManagementPublication DevelopmentTeam SupervisionResearch EditingPublication Workflow Management

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Editing Complex Research ReportsTechnical Document EditingPublication Standards EstablishmentStyle Guide DevelopmentQuality Assurance Processes

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal CommunicationAnalytical SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsStaff Motivation

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in EnglishBachelor's Degree in JournalismBachelor's Degree in Public PolicyBachelor's Degree in Social SciencesMaster's Degree in Journalism (Preferred)

Industry Keywords

Research PublicationsPolicy BriefsIssue BriefsWhite PapersEditorial Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the editorial review and development of institute research publications, including reports, policy briefs, issue briefs, white papers, and other written products
Serve as a trusted editorial advisor and thought partner to researchers and research directors throughout the publication process
Provide substantive editorial feedback to strengthen organization, readability, logical flow, audience engagement, accuracy, and research integrity
Collaborate with researchers, communications staff, designers, and leadership to produce high-quality publications aligned with institute brand standards
Establish and maintain editorial standards, style guidelines, and quality assurance processes
Oversee day-to-day publication operations, assign projects, provide coaching, support professional development, and may supervise editorial staff
Review publications for consistency, quality, accessibility, institutional branding, and editorial standards
Partner with the Director of Communication to manage publication schedules and workflows for multiple concurrent projects
Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field
Four or more years of experience
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
Demonstrated experience editing complex research reports, policy publications, technical documents, or long-form written content
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to supervise, provide guidance to, and motivate staff
Master's degree in Journalism or a related field preferred
Seven or more years of experience managing editorial projects, pipelines, and teams preferred
Experience editing publications for policymakers, practitioners, or public audiences, including translating and summarizing technical writing and research preferred
Experience managing publication workflows and editorial calendars, and establishing editorial policies, style guides, and publication standards preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time, benefits-eligible position
Hybrid work arrangement: 3 days in-office and 2 days remote
Occasional travel
Occasional evening and/or weekend work