Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

AARP's Integrated Communications and Marketing (ICM) Group includes Membership, Content and Editorial, Customer Experience, External Relations, Brand Strategy and Strategic Communications. Across paid, earned, shared and owned channels, ICM manages AARP's reputation, drives engagement and member growth, and showcases AARP's mission and value through one, integrated voice.

The Editor, State News develops news stories, features, resource guides and other journalistic content focused on individual U.S. states or regions primarily for usage in the AARP Bulletin, the AARP website, and state-level content platforms (eg., newsletters, blogs, websites, ...). The Editor partners with both internal and external teams to develop topics and treatments for journalistic coverage and ensures format/quality of materials for dissemination are consistent with established publishing policies. This position also collaborates with management to identify opportunities to improve and grow our state-level content program, streamline editorial processes and find new ways to extend the reach of our content.

Responsibilities

• Assign stories to new and existing freelance writers, editing stories to the optimal quality with an eye toward the AARP audience's unique needs; and circulate stories with key stakeholders to secure their comments.
• Maintain a steady production of stories, juggling the simultaneous demands of four issues in different stages of production.
• Brainstorm story topics and approaches with AARP state leaderships for upcoming coverage in AARP Bulletin. Develop expertise in key AARP topic areas and take the lead on the States News team for those topics.
• Work with teammates and state communications directors to find ways to get stories in front of an increased number of older residents in the state via promotion, digital distribution or other methods.
• When appropriate, help develop "long-tail" resource guides for print and digital distribution, such as voter guides, emergency guides and state Medicaid resource guides.
• Contribute story ideas to the national editors of the Bulletin and AARP the Magazine. On occasion, develop stories for the national pages.
• Serve as a spokesperson and representative of the AARP publication teams in various meetings and settings, often involving workers not familiar with journalistic processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience as a reporter and/or editor on a journalistic publication/website.
• Proven wordsmiths, highly creative, in news, service, and explanatory journalism.
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite tools and have experience and competence in digital media.
• Top-notch communication and people skills, as the role requires maintaining strong, positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external clients.
• In-office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.