What does an editor in chief do?
Editor in chief responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real editor in chief resumes:
- Manage weekly flash fiction competition.
- Operate the fundamental uses of HTML and WordPress.
- Leverage SEO and social media strategies to build credibility, increase exposure, and create links back to site.
- Used inbound marketing techniques including regular blog updates, SEO and social media to drive new traffic to the site.
- Select, proofread, and edit pieces of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in collaboration with a team of editors.
- Edit PowerPoint presentations and print materials across organizational levels.
- Compose sales- and customer-facing technical documentation, PowerPoint presentations, and training guides to enhance user experience and knowledge.
- Pioneer new-media approaches such as live on-site blogging and audio commentary.
- Compile daily roundup of offbeat news items that occasionally run on metro section front.
- Assign stories, recruit and oversee international team of freelance journalists and contributors, and serve as lead English-language editor.
- Serve as sub-editor at widely distribute English-language magazine in the Russian capital.
Editor in chief skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Editors In Chief are proficient in Editor-In-Chief, Edit Content, and Website Content. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Good judgment.
We break down the percentage of Editors In Chief that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Editor-In-Chief, 18%
Worked with commissioning editors and editor-in-chief to support publishing plans for digital and print publishing projects.
- Edit Content, 15%
Coordinated with a team of journalists to approve and edit content based on the preset weekly format.
- Website Content, 14%
Edited and re-wrote English translations of Japanese language texts, including books, research articles and website content.
- Editorial Direction, 5%
Worked with the publisher to set editorial direction and policy.
- Editorial Board, 4%
Staffed editorial boards and oversaw all department editors.
- Photography, 4%
Lead full re-design, including refocused content strategy, improved structure and more dynamic photography and design presentation.
Common skills that an editor in chief uses to do their job include "editor-in-chief," "edit content," and "website content." You can find details on the most important editor in chief responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an editor in chief to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Editors in chief often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "acted as the publication s editorial and creative leader, having final responsibility for all operations and policies. "
Detail oriented. Many editor in chief duties rely on detail oriented. "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.," so an editor in chief will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways editor in chief responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "directed all the editorial functions of a group of business-to-business publications oriented towards the retail pet industry. "
Good judgment. editors in chief are also known for good judgment, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to editor in chief responsibilities, because "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." An editor in chief resume example shows how good judgment is used in the workplace: "managed and supervised editorial staff, developed good community relations and provided excellent customer service. "
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what editors in chief do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to editor in chief responsibilities because "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical editor in chief tasks: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for an editor in chief to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what editors in chief relies on this skill, since "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." How this skill relates to editor in chief duties can be seen in an example from an editor in chief resume snippet: "conduct interviews, structure/writing articles focusing on community relations and awareness. "
The three companies that hire the most editor in chiefs are:
- Merck3 editors in chief jobs
- Broadridge2 editors in chief jobs
- ASHP2 editors in chief jobs
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Editor in chief vs. Publisher
A publisher manages the design, editing, and production process with the help of proofreaders, printers, and editors. Publishers make schedules for every stage of the process and work backward from the planned date for publication. They distribute promotional catalogs to libraries and booksellers. They set the commercial and editorial direction for businesses publishing newspapers, digital content, magazines, and books. It is their duty to make decisions on the markets that their firms will serve as well as the type of content that they will give to their audience.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an editor in chief are more likely to require skills like "editor-in-chief," "edit content," "website content," and "editorial board." On the other hand, a job as a publisher requires skills like "customer satisfaction," "strategic thinking," "client facing," and "publishing industry." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Publishers tend to make the most money working in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,908. In contrast, editors in chief make the biggest average salary, $53,837, in the education industry.publishers tend to reach similar levels of education than editors in chief. In fact, publishers are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Editor in chief vs. Production assistant/editor
Production assistants/editors are individuals with skills in communication, adaptability, organization, and administration. They also possess a healthy dose of enthusiasm and perseverance and the ability to work well under pressure. This career choice calls for assisting directors of film and television in collecting and organizing elements needed to edit the film, and overseeing the various lists and instructions needed for putting the film into its final form.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that editor in chief responsibilities requires skills like "edit content," "website content," "editorial direction," and "editorial board." But a production assistant/editor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "audio board," "video production," "teleprompter," and "adobe premiere."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Production assistant/editors tend to reach lower levels of education than editors in chief. In fact, they're 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Editors in chief in the next 3-5 years?
Editor in chief vs. Production editor
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, editors in chief are more likely to have skills like "edit content," "website content," "editorial direction," and "editorial board." But a production editor is more likely to have skills like "proofreading," "editorial production," "production process," and "production schedules."
Production editors make a very good living in the media industry with an average annual salary of $61,163. On the other hand, editors in chief are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $53,837.Most production editors achieve a similar degree level compared to editors in chief. For example, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Editor in chief vs. Writer and editor
Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational. Moreover, it is the Editor's responsibility to oversee and examine what the Writer has produced. From this, the Editor will provide feedback, corrections or suggestions, and guidelines that the Writer can follow to improve the material.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between editors in chief and writer and editors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an editor in chief might have more use for skills like "editor-in-chief," "website content," "editorial direction," and "editorial board." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of writer and editors require skills like "web content," "subject matter experts," "conduct interviews," and "search engine optimization. "
Writer and editors enjoy the best pay in the internet industry, with an average salary of $97,058. For comparison, editors in chief earn the highest salary in the education industry.In general, writer and editors hold similar degree levels compared to editors in chief. Writer and editors are 0.1% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of editor in chief
Updated January 8, 2025











