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 position that commences Nov 1. The successful candidate will receive two weeks of paid training before fully transitioning into the role on Nov 15th.
Location: The Managing Editor may reside anywhere in Canada, with preference given to Vancouver-residents. This is a work-from-home position, with an office in Mount Pleasant.
Compensation:
– $22.37/h, 34 hours per week
– Comprehensive benefits after three months (including vision, major dental, and parahealth)
– Flexible working hours
– Highly flexible vacation policy and remote work policy
– Professional development opportunities
Deadline: October 11
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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.
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.
- 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.
- Oversee Room’s collective, including onboarding and offboarding, keeping records, collective communications, maintaining archives, and other responsibilities
- Manage Room’s submissions database
- Proofread each issue of Room.
- Check and respond to emails in a timely manner.
- Develop and maintain the Room brand in collaboration with the Publisher.
- Review post-issue reviews 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.
- Maintain an active presence and foster relationships in the literary community across Canada.
- Oversee special projects in collaboration with the Publisher
- Financial responsibilities:
- 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
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, Room’s online submissions database.
- Experience in human resources, collectives, feminist publications, and nonprofit societies an asset.
- Experience with Slack, Trello, Quickbooks, and Mailchimp an asset.
Applicants must be self-starters comfortable with self-directed work and taking initiative. Room emphasizes robust training, resources, and circular mentorship. We encourage applicants not to self-reject for not meeting all qualifications, and to consider their transferable skills when applying. The managing editor works closely with the Publisher and the rest of the board, and the outgoing managing editor will remain on the Growing Room Collective and provide transitional support.
Our ideal candidate will be passionate about Room’s mandate, which is to serve writers, editors, and artists of marginalized genders, including cis and trans women, trans men, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary people, with a special focus on the voices of 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, and disabled writers, editors, and artists. A strong commitment to anti-oppressive practices in publishing is a requirement.
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In a single document, please forward a resume and a cover letter that provides a description of your editorial approach to our Managing Editor, Shristi Uprety at submissions@roommagazine.com by October 11. Applications for the position will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will take place in October.
