Join the Verse Team

Expressions of interest are open year-round to join the Verse Magazine team. The recruitment period usually begins in October - December. Verse is looking for creative, organised and innovative students to be a part of next year's editorial team!

This is an opportunity to gain experience creating printed publications from start to finish, put your problem-solving skills to the test and make some awesome connections. This role is high pressure but high reward! 

The next available positions run from December 2022 to November 2023.
 

Verse Magazine provides the UniSA student community with the opportunity to connect, engage with one another, showcase their work and assist in skill development.  The magazine editorial team consists of the Head Editor, Communications & Digital Editor (Comms & Digital Editor) and the Graphic Designer. The magazine consists solely of UniSA students (and graduates) work and sees a wide range of contributions in the form of poems, art, travel stories, reviews, opinion pieces, music playlists and heaps more. There are also some USASA (University of South Australia Student Association) focused pieces, such as student club interviews, advocacy column and president piece. This is on top of regular segments including Humans of UniSA, feature artists and graduate interviews. Involvement in 2020 & 2021 on-campus activities allowed for Verse to be promoted to engaged students, this will continue in 2022. Six editions of Verse are printed throughout the academic year. Content from the magazine, as well as additional unique content, competitions and more, is shared weekly through the numerous online Verse platforms. In 2022 we are looking to expand on exciting content and web exclusives to improve online engagement. 

Expression of Interest

Available Positions:

• Head Editor
• Comms & Digital Editor
• Graphic Designer

Head Editor

The head editor is responsible for leading the editorial team with a collaborative, organised and passionate approach to deliver all six editions of Verse Magazine for 2022. This role requires conviction and a willingness to take on a large amount of responsibility with a fair and open mind, whilst also being the 'leader' of the editorial team. The head editor must strive to actively listen and connect with the broad student body of UniSA. It is desirable that the head editor is a meticulous proofreader and copywriter. They should also consider themselves 'good' at networking, while also being proactive in identifying trends/tapping into the current student zeitgeist. 
 

Head Editor Core Responsibilities: 

• Leading the editorial team and managing team communications. 
• Liaising with other team members regarding edits to be made to the selected articles. 
• Liaising with Comms & Digital Editor regarding aspects of Verse and how it can be promoted. 
• Liaising with the Graphic Designer regarding general aesthetics. 
• Delegating where necessary. 
• Working closely with the Comms & Digital Editor and Graphic Designer to ensure all deadlines are met as per the set 2022 production schedule. 
• Being a spokesperson for the magazine at every opportunity - to both students and staff. 
• Interacting and building relationships with contributors and readers of Verse Magazine both in-person and online. 
• Networking to source and encourage student submissions. 
• Working with the editorial team to select topics for submission call-out. 
• Working with the Comms & Digital Editor to manage the Verse email - replying promptly to submissions and queries. 
• Writing stand-first for articles and selecting pull quotes for clarity and consistency. 
• Checking all final edits and handing them over to the graphic designer as per the 2022 production schedule. 
• Working with the team members to determine graduates for conducting interviews. Alternatively, delegating interview responsibility. 
• Assisting Graphic Designer to determine students to be interviewed for the creative interview.
• Managing review sections, editing or delegating responsibility. 
• Writing articles when necessary. 
• Checking Zoho (Verse's main inbox) for submissions and updating the Google Doc file.
• Being involved and participating in on-campus events. 

Comms & Digital Editor

The communications editor is responsible for collaborating with the team to promote all aspects of the magazine and to create and maintain the online presence of Verse Magazine for 2022. The comms editor must work closely with the head editor and graphic designer to create consistent communications, both written and visual. This role requires strong forward planning and innovation skills, regarding sourcing student submissions. The communication editor must strive to actively listen and connect with the broad student body of UniSA. It is desirable (but not a requirement) that the Comms & Digital Editor has previous experience with video production/editing, social media management, WordPress and MailChimp. 
 

Comms Editor Core Responsibilities: 

• Working collaboratively with the editorial team. 
• Liaising with Head Editor regarding selected Verse articles to share on VerseMag.com 
• Liaising with the editorial team regarding timing and content of any aspects of Verse to be promoted- releases/ submissions/ miscellaneous. 
• Liaising with Graphic Designer regarding artwork submission call-outs. 
• Working closely with the Head Editor and Graphic Designer to ensure all deadlines are met as per the 2022 production schedule.
• Networking to source and encourage student submissions - contacting lecturers, tutors and school secretaries to gain submissions. 
• Being a spokesperson for the magazine at every opportunity- to both students and staff. 
• Interacting with and building relationships with contributors and readers of Verse Magazine both in-person and online. 
• Producing written and visual content for communications. 
• Managing Verse social media accounts- Facebook and Instagram in a timely and consistent manner. 
• Publication of Verse articles on VerseMag.com.au
• E-newsletter creation and distribution via MailChimp. 
• Managing Vox Pop- interviewing, photographing and transcribing. Alternatively, delegating. 
• Working with the editorial team to select topics for submission call-out. 
• Writing articles when necessary. 
• Running Instagram stories and social media accounts at on-campus events.
• Checking Zoho for submissions and updating the Google Doc file.
• Scheduling the content into the Later.com account. 
• Using the “All in One SEO” (Seach Engine Optimisation) add on in WordPress.
• Using “Sharethrough.com” to check headline SEO performance.
• Being involved and participating in on-campus events. 

Graphic Designer

The graphic designer is responsible for curating, constructing and creating the visuals for all six editions of Verse Magazine for 2022. This role requires a willingness to take on a large amount of responsibility, and the ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. The graphic designer must work closely with the head editor to create consistency between the written and visual aspects of the magazine, as well as working with the comms & digital editor to ensure the magazine's 'style' is carried into digital formats. This role requires strong creative problem solving and forward planning, in particular in regard to sourcing student artwork. The graphic designer must strive to actively listen and connect with the broad student body of UniSA. It is also desirable for the graphic designer to be an 'all-rounder' - having mid-range skills in photography, illustration, copywriting, digital design, etc. 

Graphic Designer Core Responsibilities: 

• Working collaboratively with the editorial team. 
• Liaising with Head Editor regarding consistency of aesthetics and written content. 
• Liaising with the editorial team regarding magazine aesthetics incl. cover art. 
• Liaising with Comms & Digital Editor regarding artwork submission call-outs.
• Using the style guide and magazine template to create the layout of each edition of the magazine in InDesign, but stamping with your own style.
• Constructing the magazine with the articles as supplied by the editorial team. 
• Selecting imagery for the magazine from student submissions, other sources or creating artwork. 
• Working closely with the Head Editor and Comms & Digital Editor to ensure all deadlines are met as per the set 2022 production schedule. 
• Liaising with art students and the Design and Art schools to gain student artwork submissions. 
• Working with the editorial team to select topics for submissions call-out. 
• Interacting with and building relationships with contributors and readers of Verse Magazine both in-person and online. 
• Assisting Comms & Digital Editor to produce visual content for communications. 
• Working with USASA production consultants to ensure the artwork is to the printer on time. 
• Working with Head Editor to determine student for Interview and conducting Interview. Alternatively, delegating interview responsibility. 
• Checking Zoho for submissions and updating the Google Doc file.
• Being involved and participating in on-campus events.

To apply, you'll need to complete the application form including a cover letter and a resume by 12 November 2021. That's it. If you have any questions, please contact USASA.Marketing@usasa.sa.edu.au