Editor job description (2024)

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Editor responsibilities include:

  • Coordinating online or print publishing cycle and managing content areas
  • Setting publication standards and establishing goals and expectations
  • Suggesting stories and generate headline ideas in alignment with targeted audience’s preferences

Editor job description (1)

Job brief

We are looking for an Editor, with a good sense of what makes an interesting angle to a story, to juggle all the moving parts of publications. You will plan, coordinate, review and edit content. The successful candidate will be able to decide which ideas should be pursued and which should get dropped in order to meet quality and accuracy standards. The goal is to provide exceptional, informative and engaging content.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate online or print publishing cycle and manage content areas
  • Set publication standards and establish goals and expectations
  • Suggest stories and generate headline ideas in alignment with targeted audience’s preferences
  • Oversee layout (artwork, design, photography) and check content for accuracy and errors
  • Proofread, edit and improve stories or pieces
  • Recruit and manage writers and reporters
  • Cooperate and liaise with designers, photographers, advertising reps, writers, artists etc
  • Comply with media law and ethical guidelines
  • Meet deadlines and budget requirements

Requirements and skills

  • Proven working experience as an Editor
  • Strong writing/editing/proofreading skills and an excellent portfolio
  • Hands on experience with MS Office and InDesign, Photoshop or other publishing tools
  • Proven familiarity with SEO and social media best practices
  • Excellent written skills in English
  • An eye for detail along with critical thinking
  • Prioritizing and multitasking
  • BS degree in Journalism or in related field

Frequently asked questions

What does an Editor do?

The day-to-day responsibilities of an Editor vary depending on the medium they work in. They are usually responsible for pitching ideas and reporting, but editors may also have other tasks such as overseeing social media or curating content that their business has created. Editors must be able to create production schedules so stories will meet certain deadlines for online and print publication.

What are the duties and responsibilities of an Editor?

When it comes to the editing process, Editors are responsible for checking facts and making sure that an article corresponds with in-house style guides. They also have a role in ensuring articles are polished and refined when done.

What makes a good Editor?

A good Editor will communicate their edits clearly, so there is no confusion on what needs to be changed. They respect deadlines by ensuring content isn't going live until everything has been approved. They respect the voice of the writer and empower them to continue in excellent work.

Who does an Editor work with?

Editors work directly with content produced by writers in their company. They also communicate with the Assistant Editor to collaborate on and research new articles and writings.

Editor job description (2024)

FAQs

Editor job description? ›

Editors plan, coordinate, and revise material for publication in books, newspapers, or periodicals or on websites. Editors review story ideas and decide what material will appeal most to readers. During the review process, editors offer comments to improve the product and suggest titles and headlines.

What skills do you need to be an editor? ›

What it takes
  • knowledge of English language.
  • knowledge of media production and communication.
  • the ability to read English.
  • excellent verbal communication skills.
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail.
  • excellent written communication skills.
  • the ability to work well with others.
  • to be flexible and open to change.

Is an editor a good paying job? ›

The average Editor salary in the United States is $75,292 as of March 28, 2023, but the range typically falls between $64,931 and $85,264.

Is it hard to get hired as an editor? ›

Yes, it can be hard to get an editor job.

Once you decide on the type of editor you'd like to become, the next step is to level up your skills via editing courses and writing experience. Most editors have a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or other humanities subjects like history or legal.

What is an editor's salary? ›

Is editing a stressful job? ›

The most stressful editing jobs are at major newspapers or magazines, where meeting deadlines is crucial and you can be running yourself ragged to get projects turned in on time. There's still quite a bit of stress in other avenues as well, though, as you'll always be in constant danger of getting a paper cut.

Who gets paid more writer or editor? ›

Writers typically make more money than editors.

On average, a writer can earn about $57,000 yearly compared to an editor at $51,000 yearly. However, like most jobs, it's dependent on factors like location, industry, and experience.

What do editors do on a daily basis? ›

Editors plan, coordinate, and revise material for publication in books, newspapers, or periodicals or on websites. Editors review story ideas and decide what material will appeal most to readers. During the review process, editors offer comments to improve the product and suggest titles and headlines.

How do I become an editor with no experience? ›

How to become an editor in 6 steps
  1. Choose your type and style of editing. ...
  2. Get a degree or editing certificate. ...
  3. Gain experience through internships and freelancing. ...
  4. Apply for entry-level publishing and editorial positions. ...
  5. Network with clients and publishing professionals. ...
  6. Earn promotion to senior editor.
Apr 6, 2023

What is the average age of editors? ›

The average age of an employed newspaper editor is 43 years old. The most common ethnicity of newspaper editors is White (76.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (7.9%), Asian (7.1%) and Unknown (4.6%). In 2021, women earned 101% of what men earned.
...
Newspaper Editor Age.
Newspaper Editor YearsPercentages
20-30 years15%
2 more rows
Sep 9, 2022

How many hours do you work as an editor? ›

Editors generally work 40 hours per week, although one in five editors works more than a 40-hour workweek, especially leading up to a publication deadline. Editors may also work long hours if they work on digital material or for live broadcasting organizations.

What type of editor gets paid the most? ›

High Paying Copy Editor Jobs
  • Senior Technical Editor. Salary range: $64,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Marketing Editor. Salary range: $45,500-$87,000 per year. ...
  • Senior Editor. Salary range: $57,000-$81,500 per year. ...
  • Book Editor. Salary range: $38,000-$79,500 per year. ...
  • Avid Editor. ...
  • Communications Editor. ...
  • Technical Editor. ...
  • Digital Editor.

Are editors in high demand? ›

Demand is high: In a time when 86% of companies rely on video for marketing, the demand for video editors is at an all-time high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 28,000 film and video editors currently employed, with the vast majority working in California or New York.

Where do editors get paid the most? ›

10 States Where Editors Earn the Most Money
RankStateMean Annual Wage
1Massachusetts$89,280
2New York$83,070
3Hawaii$78,390
4California$78,150
6 more rows
Apr 15, 2019

What makes a good editor? ›

A good editor will make sure your written document, whether it is an essay, research paper, thesis, book, or other document, is easily understandable and free of errors.

How do I learn best editing skills? ›

How to Edit Videos
  1. Choose the Right Software. The first step in improving your video editing process is to choose the right software for you and your work. ...
  2. Use a Fast Computer. ...
  3. Watch Video Editing Tutorials. ...
  4. Get the Project Files. ...
  5. Obey the 321 Rule. ...
  6. Edit for a Story. ...
  7. Maintain an Efficient Workflow. ...
  8. Utilize Keyboard Shortcuts.
Mar 16, 2021

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