Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Editorial Manager
💰 $75,000 - $115,000
🎯 Role Definition
As our Editorial Manager, you will be the driving force behind our content engine. You are a master storyteller, a meticulous editor, and a strategic leader who will own the entire content lifecycle, from ideation to publication and analysis. You will manage and mentor a team of writers and editors, shaping our brand's voice and ensuring every piece of content is engaging, accurate, and aligned with our strategic goals. This role is perfect for a creative professional who is passionate about building a world-class editorial function that captivates audiences and drives business results.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Senior Editor / Managing Editor
- Content Strategist
- Senior Copywriter / Content Writer
Advancement To:
- Director of Content / Head of Content
- Editor-in-Chief
- Head of Editorial Strategy
Lateral Moves:
- Content Marketing Manager
- Communications Director
- Brand Strategy Manager
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive editorial strategy that aligns with the company's brand identity, marketing objectives, and audience engagement goals.
- Manage the end-to-end content production process, including brainstorming, assigning, editing, and publishing content across all digital platforms.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of in-house and freelance writers, editors, and content creators, providing constructive feedback and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Create and maintain a detailed editorial calendar to ensure a consistent and strategic flow of content that supports marketing campaigns, product launches, and company initiatives.
- Act as the primary guardian of the brand's voice, tone, and style, ensuring consistency and quality across all published materials by maintaining and updating style guides.
- Collaborate with the SEO team to integrate keyword strategies and on-page SEO best practices into the content creation process to improve organic search rankings and visibility.
- Analyze content performance using analytics tools (like Google Analytics) to track key metrics, derive actionable insights, and optimize future content strategy for better engagement and ROI.
- Oversee the editorial budget, including resource allocation, freelance writer payments, and tooling, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within financial scope.
- Commission content from a network of freelance writers, subject matter experts, and industry influencers, managing contracts, assignments, and relationships.
- Conduct in-depth content audits to identify gaps, repurposing opportunities, and areas for improvement in our existing content library.
- Edit and proofread content for clarity, grammar, accuracy, and adherence to style guidelines, performing both developmental and line edits as needed.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, competitor content strategies, and new content formats to continuously innovate and elevate our editorial output.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Design, Product, and Sales, to ensure content is cohesive, well-promoted, and supports broader business objectives.
- Manage the content distribution strategy, collaborating with social media and email marketing teams to maximize the reach and impact of every published piece.
- Uphold rigorous standards for journalistic integrity, fact-checking, and ethical reporting in all content produced.
- Develop and execute content strategies for various formats, including long-form articles, blog posts, white papers, case studies, video scripts, and social media copy.
- Own the content management system (CMS), ensuring it is well-organized and optimized for efficient publishing workflows.
- Establish workflows and processes to streamline content creation, review, and approval cycles, increasing team efficiency and output.
- Source and interview subject matter experts, both internal and external, to create authoritative and insightful content.
- Manage legal and compliance reviews for sensitive content, ensuring all materials meet regulatory and company standards before publication.
Secondary Functions
- Manage relationships and contracts with external vendors, including freelance writers, creative agencies, and technology providers.
- Contribute to the development and execution of internal communication strategies to keep the wider company informed of content initiatives and successes.
- Collaborate with the PR and communications team to align editorial content with media outreach and public relations campaigns.
- Participate in strategic planning sessions, providing an editorial perspective on new market opportunities and audience development.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Expert-Level Editing & Writing: Superior command of grammar, mechanics, and style, with the ability to elevate content from good to great.
- Content Strategy: Proven ability to develop and execute a data-informed content strategy that drives measurable results.
- SEO Best Practices: Strong understanding of keyword research, on-page SEO, and content optimization for search engines.
- Content Management Systems (CMS): Proficiency with popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Contentful, or similar.
- Analytics Tools: Experience using Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or other tools to measure content performance.
- Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Monday.com to manage complex editorial calendars and workflows.
- Style Guide Proficiency: Deep knowledge of major style guides (e.g., AP, Chicago) and experience creating and maintaining a brand-specific style guide.
Soft Skills
- Leadership & Team Management: Inspiring leader with experience mentoring and developing a team of creative professionals.
- Exceptional Communication: Articulate communicator, both written and verbal, capable of providing clear feedback and collaborating effectively across departments.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, connecting content initiatives to broader business goals.
- Creativity & Innovation: A fountain of fresh ideas with a passion for storytelling and exploring new content formats.
- Meticulous Attention to Detail: An eagle eye for errors and inconsistencies, ensuring the highest quality output.
- Deadline-Driven & Organized: Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree in a related field
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Journalism
- English
- Communications
- Marketing
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 5-8 years of progressive experience in content creation, digital publishing, or journalism.
Preferred:
- 3+ years of experience directly managing and mentoring a team of writers, editors, or content producers.
- A strong portfolio of published work and/or a track record of growing an audience through high-quality content.