*Please note: This job post has been edited to reflect an increase in the rate of pay from $18/hr to $20/hr, to acknowledge the livable wage estimation for Metro Vancouver. The start date has also been changed from May 1st to June 1st, and the application deadline has been changed from March 31st to April 14th. Thank you to our community for raising concerns about the remuneration of our staff.
Room magazine is seeking to hire a new Managing Editor. The ideal candidate will have previous work experience in literary, grassroots, scholarly, or academic magazine or book publishing, especially in the selection of material for publication and with knowledge of Canadian literature. Working creatively as part of a small team, the Managing Editor manages all editorial and production aspects of the magazine, which is published four times a year. This is a permanent, full-time, work-from-home position that commences June 1st, 2021.
The Managing Editor may reside anywhere in the Greater Vancouver area. This is a work-from-home position. The Managing Editor must attend all meetings, which are held online. The pay rate is $20/hour for 38 hours per week, with benefits after 3 months. Payment is made bi-monthly by direct deposit.
The successful applicant will have experience in the selection, editing and copy-editing of literary manuscripts, knowledge of production and printing processes, strong organizational and administrative skills, and demonstrated abilities in personnel management, as they are expected to mentor, supervise, and manage the editorial teams working on each issue of the magazine, working in collaboration with the staff and Publisher. The candidate will demonstrate an ability to work both independently and in a team setting. A strong commitment to anti-oppressive practices in publishing, which adheres to Room’s mandate, is a requirement. Knowledge of the Canadian literary community is expected and familiarity with CanLit journal publishing is an asset.
Please forward your resume including a cover letter that provides a description of your editorial approach to our Publisher, Molly Cross-Blanchard, at publisher@roommagazine.com. Applications for the position must be received by April 14th, 2021.
A more detailed job description is available below.
Managing Editor Job Description
Experience:
The Managing Editor (ME) has previous work experience in literary, grassroots, scholarly, or academic magazine or book publishing, especially in the selection of material for publication and with knowledge of Canadian literature.
Brief Summary of Responsibilities:
The Managing Editor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production of the magazine, including planning, proofreading content, and managing editorial teams. The Managing Editor ensures that the selection and presentation of the content of Room maintains a consistently high standard for the publication. The ME also updates all of Room’s guides and resources, such as the anti-oppressive style guide, the production schedule, and the production manual. The ME leads Room’s editorial board through mentorship and is responsible for all aspects of the production of Room, including coordinating all events. The ME collaborates with the Publisher on special projects, preparing budgets, grant applications, and reports.
Location:
The ME may reside anywhere in the greater Vancouver area. Work is done remotely from your own home-based office, though the Vancouver office is available as well. Meetings are held online.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise, mentor, and train editors to curate issues of Room.
- Supervise, mentor, and train all staff except the Publisher, with support from the board.
- Maintain an active presence and foster relationships in the literary community across Canada.
- Establish and oversee standards for production and manage any initiatives to change production standards.
- Establish and follow strategies to increase anti-oppressive practices within the production, creation, and dissemination of Room.
- Update the production schedule, production manual, editorial roster, and style guide as needed.
- Keep records of collective members, including address information and current responsibilities, up to date and maintain the archive list of past collective members.
- Proofread each issue of Room.
- Write Room’s monthly newsletters and manage Room’s email lists.
- Check and respond to emails in a timely manner.
- Assist the Publisher with grant research and writing, and budget management.
- Develop and maintain the Room brand in collaboration with the Publisher.
- Review postmortems with editors to ensure continuous improvement of Room.
- Works in conjunction with the Publisher, staff, and collective for all activities outside the publishing aspect, including, but not limited to, any launches, fundraising, special events, and conferences.
- Assist with web copy where needed.
- Chair, organize, and plan all Room meetings.
- Oversee special projects in collaboration with the Publisher, including by not limited to:
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- Indigenous Brilliance podcast.
- Membership program
- Mentor-in-Residence program
- Donation campaigns
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- Financial responsibilities:
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- Carry out Room biweekly payroll
- Complete QuickBooks financial entries
- Input, print, and mail all cheques for bills and contributors
- Set up all new employees with our benefits program
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The successful applicant will have:
- Experience in magazine production, with a preference for literary magazine experience, including acceptance of content, editing content, and taking issues to press.
- Knowledge and training in grammar, professional style, writing, and editing.
- Familiarity with Canadian literature and literary journals.
- Knowledge of contemporary publication design principles.
- Software skills in: text editing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and image editing.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Strong communication, organizational, time management, scheduling, and project management skills.
- An ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners.
- Strong commitment to Room’s anti-oppressive mandate.
- Familiarity with Submittable, the online submissions database.
- Experience in human resources, collectives, feminist publications, and nonprofit societies an asset.
- Experience with Slack, Trello, Quickbooks, and Mailchimp an asset.
Term and Appointment Process
Recommended for appointment by Board of Directors and Publisher after a review of candidate’s resume, cover letter, and qualifications.
Reporting
This position reports directly to the Room Board of Directors.
Time and Meetings Required
38 hours/week. Attend all meetings.
Salary
$20/hour for 38 hours/week. Payment is made bi-monthly by direct deposit. Benefits after three months.
Please forward your resume including a cover letter that provides a description of your editorial approach to our Publisher, Molly Cross-Blanchard, at publisher@roommagazine.com. Applications for the position must be received by April 14th, 2021.
