Job Description

Overview

The Staff Writer, Organizational History researches, documents, and writes the Institute’s institutional history to preserve organizational memory and produce authoritative, accessible narratives. The role builds a rigorously sourced chronology and supporting archives; conducts oral histories with leaders and long-tenured staff; and translates complex scientific and clinical developments for diverse audiences. Working cross-functionally, the role manages end-to-end editorial projects including the New Hire book and DFCI History book, ensures rigorous sourcing and legal/compliance standards, and delivers content that supports strategic communications.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Research and archival development : Identify, collect, and organize source materials (documents, media, artifacts, interviews, photography) in partnership with the President’s Office, Communications, Philanthropy and Human Resources departments.
• New Hire Booklet (NHB): Working with Communications, Office of the President and Human Resources to finalize an editorial lineup, for the NHB. Research existing materials, develop sources and conduct interviews. Write all narrative copy for the booklet first-hand research and existing published material . Liaise with designers and print production on the layout, design and proofing of the NPB.
• Dana-Farber History Book : Design and conduct structured oral history interviews with leaders, clinicians, researchers, donors, staff, and alumni, and potentially former patients. Coordinate with videography team for any video opportunities that arise. Manage consent and release processes. Develop an outline and schedule for the History Book and edit based on feedback from project leaders. Draft, revise and fact book, working with assigned editors to ensure accuracy and tone. Develop appropriate bibliography, footnotes, source references as needed. Work with President’s Office to ghost write book forward, press release, or other related material. Work with publisher or in-house publishing team to layout book, print and distribute it based on direction from Office of President and Communications and Marketing department leadership.
• Biographies: As time allows, write individual biographies of assigned Dana-Farber leaders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced research and synthesis skills, including archival research, history interviewing, and rigorous fact-checking; fluency with primary/secondary sources, citations, and editorial standards (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, AP style).
• Exceptional writing and storytelling ability with a demonstrated capacity to translate complex scientific, clinical, and organizational topics into clear, compelling, and accurate narratives for diverse audiences.
• Strong interviewing skills and adept at conducting in-person, zoom, or telephone interviews.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills: active listening, thoughtful inquiry, tact, and discretion; ability to build trust with executives, clinicians, scientists, and staff at all levels.
• Strong understanding of public/organizational history practices and ethical considerations; familiarity with oral history methods, consent/release protocols, and archival description/metadata.
• Knowledge of healthcare privacy and confidentiality principles and the ability to navigate sensitive topics (e.g., HIPAA, PHI) in historical storytelling and archival practices.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, and a high standard for accuracy and completeness; commitment to inclusion and engagement in historical representation and source selection.
• Familiarity with records retention, copyright/IP, and permissions for text, images, audio, and video.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, to meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities, and maintain organized, well-documented work products that support institutional reuse and long-term preservation.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Journalism, History, Public History, Communications, English, Library/Information Science (archives concentration), History of Science/Medicine, or related field.
• 7+ years of writing and editorial experience in a complex organization (e.g., academic medicine, research institution, healthcare, higher education, museum/archives, or corporate history/corporate communications) required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting primary and secondary research; 3+ years experience producing organizational or public history content (e.g., institutional timelines, milestone narratives, profiles, exhibits, or oral histories) required.
• Experience writing and managing book projects including scoping, sourcing, outlining, drafting, review, approvals, and publication required.
• Experience with the book publishing process and working with book publishers required.
• Healthcare or academic medicine experience and familiarity with oncology or biomedical research preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Patient Contact: None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

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