What does a Managing Editor do?
Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.
Managing editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real managing editor resumes:
- Manage programs such as schedule overhaul, YouTube channel creation, and new blog site.
- Manage editorial process: assigning stories to line-editing to HTML publishing/page placement.
- Manage editorial departments: ensure timely receipt of copy and photos, including coordinating and overseeing all freelance and in-house submissions.
- Edit and proofread submissions for weekly publication.
- Proofread and edit articles for several UN publications.
- Launch and create the first digital edition online and via iPad.
- Pitch ideas for all sections of both news website, and biweekly print edition.
- Edit articles and fact-check -involve in decisions regarding layout, design and magazine tone -Laid out articles using InDesign
- Copy-Edite all the articles, laid out pages in Indesign, and make sure the paper produce quality content on-time.
- Help guide redesign of site; conceive new editorial vision for each channel; develop SEO, and social media strategy.
- Maintain focus on online editorial experience, and what makes content on the web sticky, conversation-starting and good for SEO.
- Research and assign all material to staff writers; review and edit articles; email to HTML editor for bi-weekly deadlines.
- Track Facebook visibility and upload stories/photos to WordPress.
- Assess incoming manuscripts and make recommendations to editor-in-chief base on adherence to guidelines.
- Collaborate with the editor-in-chief on creative decisions regarding editorial voice and overall design.
Managing editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Managing Editors are proficient in Web Content, Editorial Content, and SEO. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Good judgment.
We break down the percentage of Managing Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Web Content, 13%
Compose and/or coordinate all marketing elements, including social media promotions, press communications, and author/reader focused web content
- Editorial Content, 10%
Developed relationships with public and private sector community leaders to create editorial content reflecting the challenges of the major metropolitan area.
- SEO, 7%
Conducted market and keyword research through the SEO Book for search engine optimization, brand building, and link building articles.
- Editorial Calendar, 5%
Coordinated an editorial calendar and identified subject matter experts to contribute timely, compelling articles that delivered value to diverse readership.
- Digital Content, 5%
Shepherded print publication into the digital age with integrated editorial strategy that allowed for growing digital content and social media promotion.
- Editor-In-Chief, 4%
Collaborated with Editor-in-Chief and a consortium of 16 cardiovascular Editor-in-Chiefs to create publication and ethics policies for cardiovascular journal community.
Most managing editors use their skills in "web content," "editorial content," and "seo" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential managing editor responsibilities here:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a managing editor to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Additionally, a managing editor resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "hand-picked fiction and creative non-fiction pieces as well as reviewed poetry and film editors' final selections. "
Detail oriented. Many managing editor duties rely on detail oriented. "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.," so a managing editor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways managing editor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "researched, wrote and edited timely content daily, including target-oriented blogs and news articles, impactful headlines, and banners. "
Good judgment. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of managing editors is good judgment. This skill is critical to many everyday managing editor duties, as "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assessed and made final judgments about news stories, merchandising packages and page makeup. "
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what managing editors do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to managing editor 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 managing editor tasks: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in managing editor job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what managing editors do. Managing editor responsibilities rely on this skill because "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." You can also see how managing editor duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "increased quality, by acquiring, editing and writing articles for monthly newsletter, the m&a; tax report. "
The three companies that hire the most managing editors are:
- KPMG LLP67 managing editors jobs
- Townsquare Media10 managing editors jobs
- Paramount6 managing editors jobs
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Compare different managing editors
Managing editor vs. Technical writer
Technical Writers specialize in producing easy-to-understand instructional or informational written materials, such as media and journal articles, assessments and guidelines, and legal forms of documentation. For Technical Writers to develop well-versed content, one must conduct thorough research on the topic or idea to ensure factual legitimacy and communicate with those whose expertise aligns with the subject. Aside from producing, Technical Writers can also improve or convert complex written materials such as operating manuals or documents into one that can be easily understood by the general public.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between managing editors and technical writer. For instance, managing editor responsibilities require skills such as "editorial content," "seo," "editorial calendar," and "digital content." Whereas a technical writer is skilled in "technical documentation," "subject matter experts," "visio," and "sharepoint." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Technical writers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $65,889. On the other hand, managing editors are paid more in the media industry with an average salary of $79,077.technical writers tend to reach similar levels of education than managing editors. In fact, technical writers are 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Managing editor vs. Proposal writer
Proposal Writers help clients win contracts, grants from the government, or even permission to perform a consulting service. They must ensure that all important information is included in the paperwork and documents.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real managing editor resumes. While managing editor responsibilities can utilize skills like "web content," "editorial content," "seo," and "editorial calendar," proposal writers use skills like "subject matter experts," "business development," "proposal content," and "past performance."
Proposal writers earn a lower average salary than managing editors. But proposal writers earn the highest pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $70,514. Additionally, managing editors earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $79,077 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Proposal writers tend to reach similar levels of education than managing editors. In fact, they're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Managing Editors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Maria Polski Ph.D.
Associate Professor, East-West University
Managing editor vs. Editorial internship
An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial team in publishing digital and media content, writing articles, and managing readers' reviews. Editorial interns must have excellent knowledge of the industry they work for, suggesting the latest trends and featured topics, taking notes of the tenured employees' advice and observations, and actively joining brainstorming sessions. An editorial intern must be detail-oriented and take constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn. It is also crucial to have outstanding communication and proofreading skills and keep all the materials confidential until release.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from managing editor resumes include skills like "editorial calendar," "digital content," "facebook," and "content strategy," whereas an editorial internship is more likely to list skills in "fact-check," "editorial intern," "administrative tasks," and "conduct interviews. "
Editorial interns earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,508. Comparatively, managing editors have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $79,077.editorial interns typically earn similar educational levels compared to managing editors. Specifically, they're 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Managing editor vs. Staff writer
A staff writer is an individual who works in the television (TV) or entertainment industry to provide standard content such as news reports, reviews, and features. Since writing content is important, staff writers must be able to collaborate and brainstorm ideas with other staff members in the production process. They must attend conferences, events, or seminars to meet other people in the industry. Staff writers must also possess knowledge in scriptwriting and an in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between managing editors and staff writers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a managing editor might have more use for skills like "editorial calendar," "digital content," "editor-in-chief," and "facebook." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of staff writers require skills like "event coverage," "photography," "conduct interviews," and "student life. "
In general, staff writers earn the most working in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $54,426. The highest-paying industry for a managing editor is the media industry.In general, staff writers hold similar degree levels compared to managing editors. Staff writers are 4.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of managing editor
Updated January 8, 2025
