AHP Career Track: Managing Editor
Hobby Farms, a rural lifestyle magazine, and Urban Farm, a magazine about living a sustainable life in the city and the suburbs, is seeking a Managing Editor in our Lexington, Ky., office. The managing editor is responsible for the coordination, organization, control and completion of all aspects of editorial production, from raw material to finished publication.
- The Managing Editor’s primary duties include, but are not limited to:
- Project management/Coaching: Organizes and ensures an orderly and timely flow of editorial content through all stages of production: assigning manuscripts and selecting art, copy editing, proofreading, shipping and I-proof. Dummies the magazine issue for editorial and advertising placement or oversees dummying; complies with dummying policies, trains junior staff members how to dummy.
- Attention to detail: Oversees all aspects of magazine’s production for quality control, accuracy and timeliness.
- Technical skills/Coaching:
- Copyedits, rewrites, develops lower-level editors’ skills.
- Writes articles, columns, captions, headlines, decks and sidebars for magazine and, if needed, website and develops lower-level editors’ skills.
- People skills and relationship building:
- Works closely and effectively with art director, production coordinator, consumer marketing manager, ad sales staff and marketing point person, plus editorial team members.
- Contacts writers for required rework or substantive changes to articles or columns.
- Interacts with upper-level management and sales team in a professional, helpful manner.
- Interacts effectively with readership.
- Travels to trade shows and other events to interact with community and industry members and leaders. Interacts by walking the show floor, stopping at each relevant booth to talk with the person at the booth, and going to relevant functions, such as ice breakers, press events and client dinners. Joins advertising client discussions, meetings and meals as requested. Establishes good relationships within the community and industry.
- Efficient use of time/Meeting deadlines: Demonstrates a sense of urgency with time-sensitive projects and issues and makes sure team members also demonstrate same urgency.
- Creativity and innovation:
- Assists in planning editorial calendar.
- Finds or creates crossover content for print publications and websites.
- Assists in creating contests and advertising opportunities.
- Decision making: Takes a proactive role in identifying and resolving content and team issues. Elevates an issue to a supervisor or manager when appropriate.
- Communication: Makes article and photo assignments as necessary for the magazine and website; recruits and directs contributor network as needed, contacts writers for required rework or substantive changes to manuscripts.
- Development and growth:
- Read competing publications and general publications relating to the industry and to the publishing field.
- Attends seminars in publishing, business or of a subject relevant to the magazine theme.
- Learns and demonstrates knowledge of company and department policies and procedures. Trains lower-level editors on policies and procedures.
Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years experience in an editorial position; a Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or related field; or equivalent work experience. Skills required: writing, editing, formatting, graphics and timely project management. Working knowledge of grammar, punctuation, style and spelling. Computer skills for editing, writing, graphics and data input. Knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook and Quark XPress. Knowledge of websites and content interaction between websites and print publications. Ideal candidate must thrive in deadline-driven environment and be willing to stay abreast of industry trends. Interest in or knowledge of agriculture, gardening or sustainable living is required.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 8237, Lexington, KY 40533; or email to bhoch@bowtieinc.com. EOE