Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Editorial Producer
💰 $65,000 - $95,000
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a highly organized and creative Editorial Producer to join our dynamic content team. In this pivotal role, you will be the engine of our editorial operations, managing the entire content lifecycle from ideation and assignment to publication and performance analysis. You are a master of deadlines, a champion of quality, and a collaborative partner to writers, editors, designers, and strategists. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for compelling storytelling and flawless execution, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact on our audience.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Content Coordinator
- Editorial Assistant
- Assistant Editor
- Social Media Coordinator
Advancement To:
- Senior Editorial Producer
- Managing Editor
- Content Strategist
- Head of Content Production
Lateral Moves:
- Project Manager (Content)
- Audience Development Manager
- SEO Strategist
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Manage the end-to-end production workflow for a high volume of digital content, including articles, galleries, videos, and interactive features.
- Build, format, and publish engaging content using our Content Management System (CMS), ensuring all elements are optimized for user experience and platform requirements.
- Maintain and own the master editorial calendar, coordinating with editors and stakeholders to ensure a steady and strategic flow of content.
- Source, select, and optimize visual assets, including photography, illustrations, and infographics, ensuring they meet brand standards and legal requirements.
- Perform rigorous quality assurance checks on all content before publication, including copy editing, fact-checking, and testing for functionality across devices.
- Implement on-page SEO best practices, including keyword research, meta descriptions, internal linking, and headline optimization to maximize organic reach.
- Collaborate closely with writers, editors, video producers, and designers to ensure timely delivery of all content components.
- Program and schedule content across various distribution channels, including the website homepage, newsletters, and partner platforms.
- Monitor and analyze content performance using tools like Google Analytics, Chartbeat, and Parse.ly, providing actionable insights to the editorial team.
- Project manage large-scale editorial packages and sponsored content campaigns, defining timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder responsibilities.
- Update and maintain the library of evergreen content, identifying opportunities for refreshment and re-promotion to drive continued traffic.
- Pitch and develop original story ideas that align with our brand voice, audience interests, and strategic goals.
- Act as the primary point of contact for freelance contributors, managing assignments, contracts, invoices, and feedback.
- Ensure all content strictly adheres to the established brand voice, tone, and style guide for consistency and quality.
- Troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues related to the CMS or content display, liaising with the product and engineering teams when necessary.
- Coordinate with the social media team to develop compelling promotional copy and assets for published content.
- Manage digital asset rights and permissions, ensuring all media is properly licensed and credited.
- A/B test headlines, images, and content formats to identify what resonates most with our audience and drive engagement.
- Package and version content for different platforms and formats, adapting storytelling for unique channel requirements.
- Develop and document production workflows and best practices to improve team efficiency and scale content output.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging digital platforms, and new storytelling tools to drive innovation within the team.
- Curate and manage collections of content on key topic pages, ensuring they are comprehensive and up-to-date for our audience.
Secondary Functions
- Assist in training junior staff and new team members on CMS functionalities, production workflows, and editorial best practices.
- Contribute to the evolution of the editorial style guide and brand voice documentation.
- Collaborate with the audience development team to identify and execute on content growth opportunities.
- Participate in content strategy brainstorming sessions and contribute to the quarterly and annual planning process.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proficiency with various Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, or proprietary platforms.
- Strong understanding of SEO principles and proficiency with tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner.
- Experience with web analytics platforms, including Google Analytics, Chartbeat, and Parse.ly.
- Competency with project management software like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Airtable.
- Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for content formatting and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Photoshop for image editing and resizing).
- Experience with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing and sourcing media.
Soft Skills
- Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and quality.
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Proactive problem-solving abilities and a resourceful, can-do attitude.
- Superior editorial judgment and a strong sense of what makes a compelling story.
- Adaptability and resilience when faced with changing priorities and tight turnaround times.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Journalism
- Communications
- English
- Marketing
- Digital Media Studies
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years in digital media, content production, or a related field.
Preferred: Direct experience working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, a high-volume content agency, or a brand publishing environment.