Editor job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is an Editor?
An integral part of every publishing company is a successful Editor.
Editors ensure the accuracy, clarity, and quality of written material before publication.
They typically work with a variety of different content, such as articles, books, web pages, scripts, etc.
They are responsible for reviewing, proofreading, improving, and fact-checking the content.
Editors collaborate with other editors, authors, designers, photographers, and other people to ensure meeting deadlines and staying within budgets.
They also approve the final versions of manuscripts and oversee the layouts and design of a final publication.
The top Editor skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
Our company is looking for an experienced Editor to join our publishing team. While working as an Editor, you will be responsible for a wide range of activities. First of all, you will establish and implement publication standards and goals and develop and design the contents of publications based on the company’s expectations. Then, you will proofread, edit, and improve written content to ensure it is accurate and of the highest quality, and eventually approve the final versions for publication.
As an Editor in our company, you will also be in charge of suggesting and developing storylines and ideas, managing the content calendar, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with writers, designers, and photographers and providing feedback to them.
Ultimately, to be a successful Editor, you should have an outstanding command of the English language, as well as communication, organization, creativity, and attention to detail.
Duties and responsibilities
- Develop and design the content of the publication based on the company’s publication style and expectations
- Establish and implement publication standards and goals
- Proofread, edit, and improve manuscripts
- Ensure the accuracy and highest quality of publications
- Oversee layouts, design, and photography
- Check content for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and mistakes
- Review manuscripts for style, format, and guidelines
- Meet with authors to provide feedback, discuss the publication process, and answer questions
- Suggest and develop story and content ideas
- Conduct research for fact-checking, statistics, and other details
- Approve final versions of manuscripts for publication
- Collaborate with other editors, writers, designers, photographers, publishers, etc
- Manage the content calendar, meet deadlines, and monitor budget
- Hire, train, and supervise junior editors
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or social studies
- A Master’s degree is an advantage
- Prior working experience in the publishing industry
- Outstanding communication, writing, and proofreading skills
- Knowledge of publishing and editing processes
- Ability to meet deadlines and work in a team
- Creative thinker with great research skills
- Good organization
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
What education this role needs.
Editors most commonly acquire a Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or social studies.
Most candidates also have a Master’s degree in these areas.
Candidates who aspired to become Editors must have previous writing or editing experience in order to find a job.
They can gain experience by working in different roles in the publishing industry.
Any relevant working experience will help them develop the skills and knowledge that employers look for in Editors.
Sample interview questions for an Editor.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- Could you tell us about your childhood and where you grew up?
- What types of magazines or newspapers do you enjoy reading?
- What language would you like to know?
- Could you tell us more about your Bachelor’s degree and your major?
- How familiar are you with our publishing activities so far?
- What salary range do you expect if you get a job?
- Can you describe your editing style?
- Have you ever missed a deadline and how did your boss react?
- What is the first thing you teach a junior editor?
- What web pages or materials do you typically use when you conduct fact-checking research?
- Do you have experience editing online content?
- How do you ensure a piece of writing is ready to be published? What steps do you go through before approving the final version?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $6 at the 10th percentile to $43 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Copy Editor
Copy Editors, or Proofreaders, are responsible for ensuring the quality of written content.
$55,813 medianEditor In Chief
An editor-in-chief is the most senior member of a publication's editorial staff.
$109,863 medianExecutive Editor
Frequently asked questions.
What are the different types of Editors?
Based on education, qualification, and experience, Editors can be:
- Assistant Editors
- Copy Editors
- Content Editors
- Managing Editors
- Editors in Chief
- Executive Editors
- Book Editors
Where do Editors work?
Editors can find employment across the publishing industry. They can work in:
- Publishing houses
- Magazines, newsrooms, newspapers
- Book publishers
- Corporate offices
- Online media outlets, etc
Who do Editors report to?
Editors typically report to the Editor In Chief. They can also report to the Head Publisher or Editorial Director.
How much do Editors earn annually?
Editors typically earn between $12,000 and $89,000 per year.
Other job description templates.
Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.
Copy Editor
Copy Editors, or Proofreaders, are responsible for ensuring the quality of written content.
$55,813 medianEditor In Chief
An editor-in-chief is the most senior member of a publication's editorial staff.
$109,863 medianContent Editor
A Content Editor is a professional responsible for overseeing the creation, refinement, and optimization of written, visual, or multimedia content.
$75,002 medianAssistant Editor
Assistant Editors mainly work in the publishing industry under the supervision of the Editors in Chief.
$43,826 median