Managing Editor jobs in Louisiana

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The Managing Editor is a member of the LEH Division of Public Programs and is responsible for overseeing 64 Parishes’ daily print and digital publishing operations. The Managing Editor oversees the workflow, deadlines, and deliverables of 64 Parishes magazine and website, including the 64 Parishes encyclopedia. Key functions of this role include establishing and maintaining editorial calendars, managing contributor relations, and shepherding all print and digital content from contract to publication.

The Managing Editor is responsible for monitoring the complete editorial cycles for print and digital publishing to ensure our publications are of the highest quality and are delivered on schedule and within budget. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of American history, with a particular enthusiasm for Louisiana history, and experience uploading content to WordPress. This role requires excellent project management skillsincluding a fundamental understanding of the importance of adhering to established editorial practices, outstanding communication and writing skills, the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and the ability to be flexible.

JOB FUNCTIONS ESSENTIAL-

• Track and manage the flow of contributor content through all stages of publication, including contracting; calendaring and monitoring deadlines; filing and naming contributor drafts in keeping with established procedures; and communicating effectively with authors, photographers, editors, and designers to ensure publication occurs on time and within budget.
• Engage, brief, and proactively manage freelance editors and designers.
• Source and secure copyrights, image reproduction rights, and other legal permissions as needed for story illustrations.
• Draft captions, credits, titles, and other editorial content for 64 Parishes stories and encyclopedia entries as needed.
• In consultation with the Editor in Chief, receive and review magazine story pitches, evaluating content appropriateness, quality, and fit for publication.
• Establish and maintain issue-by-issue editorial calendars and checklists.
• Allocate print space for story text, photos, advertisements, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
• Ensure all page proof edits are carried over to Word files prior to uploading to WordPress.
• Upload magazine and encyclopedia content to Word Press, following established processes.
• Issue and manage contributor contracts and ensure contributors are paid in a timely manner.
• Comfortable with public speaking and communicating in person as well as by email, phone, Zoom, or text as needed.
• Prepare and deliver professional presentations that capture and summarize the work of 64 Parishes.
• With Editor in Chief, conduct final copy edit of all magazine and encyclopedia text after it has been returned by contract editors and before it is sent to design.
• With Editor in Chief, evaluate design and layout, making recommendations for improvement or consistency, and conducting page proof edits prior to publication.
• Develop a network of potential external contributors and work with Editor in Chief to develop and contract new stories.

OTHER-

• Provide courteous and prompt service to all internal and external clients. Prioritize and address requests and assignments in a professional manner to develop cooperative relationships and to ensure that client confidentiality is assured.
• Work interdepartmentally to ensure cohesion between and among LEH initiatives.
• Assist co-workers in the completion of tasks and assignments to ensure continuity of service. Orient new co-workers and actively support teamwork throughout the organization.
• Perform other duties as required.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• BA in English, writing, or history from an accredited four-year university required, MA preferred.

Work Experience:

• 1 - 3 years of publishing experience in both print and digital formats.
• Editing experience at a website, newspaper, magazine, book publisher, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Image research experience with an understanding of image reproduction and licensing requirements and a familiarity with archival sources for Louisiana content.
• Experience working in professional office environment.

Core Skills:

• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and superior follow through.
• Mastery of digital and hard-copy editing (Chicago style), including use of standard copyediting marks, and WordPress.
• Mastery of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, syntax, and grammar.
• Ability to adhere to established file naming and management systems.
• Strong ability to edit, guide, mentor, and collaborate with internal and external contributors.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive content.
• Strong grasp of Louisiana history and/or current cultural landscape.
• Proficiency in research capabilities.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• High degree of integrity and work ethic.
• Ability to engage in positive public interaction with multiple stakeholders, including LEH colleagues, freelance writers, partners, editorial staff, and consultants.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to problem solve independently before seeking assistance from peers and supervisors.
• Flexibility to adjust quickly and effectively to changing conditions and demands.
• Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Other Considerations:

• LEH is a statewide organization, occasional travel may be required.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger motions, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Work Environment: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather and internal climate conditions prevalent at the time. The work environment is considered to be that of a normal business/office operation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities/Prime Time Family, Inc is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, creed, ancestry, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, citizenship status, victims of domestic violence, or any other protected category.

NOTE: This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. The organization reserves the right to change this description at its discretion.