What Does a Managing Editor Do?

Managing Editors oversee an organization’s content team to ensure their pieces promote their brand in a positive and engaging way. They’ll use analytical tools to monitor different campaigns’ progress and will build strategies to improve their content according to these results. Managing Editors will also conduct research on their target audience to determine the best ways to reach and engage with them.

Managing Editors also work with the leadership team or their clients to determine the style guide, brand voice and tone they want to follow and will edit content pieces to ensure they meet these standards. They also provide final revisions on content pieces to ensure they meet certain publishing guidelines.

Managing Editor Skills and Qualifications

A successful Managing Editor has technical and leadership skills. For example, since Managing Editors work with Content Creators, they should have some experience writing and editing (or producing whatever type of content will be a priority for your company). Such experience will enable them to set realistic guidelines and project expectations, and it will help them understand the priorities for Content Creators. Other important skills and qualifications for Managing Editors include:

• Leadership skills
• Time management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Multitasking skills
• Project management skills
• The ability to collaborate with large teams
• The ability to coordinate with remote employees

Managing Editor Education and Training Requirements

Managing Editors have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as English or communications. Some businesses, though, may hire Editors with a background more closely related to what the company creates. For example, a company that produces scientific publications would want a Managing Editor with a degree in education—perhaps even a master’s or doctorate—in a related scientific field. Managing Editors do not need specific certifications, but some may obtain accreditations in areas like copy editing.

Managing Editor Experience Requirements

Many Managing Editors advance through editing or writing positions, but you may also come across entry-level candidates looking for their first job out of graduate school. Other applicants may come from areas like project management, leveraging their leadership and organization skills as qualifications for your role. At a minimum, successful Managing Editors have some experience not only in content creation but also in leadership and project management.

Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

Your ideal Managing Editor may have skills in one particular area over another, such as writing versus editing, or maybe you want a candidate who can help generate story ideas. Since this role can be diverse, you may not find everything you’re looking for with this single job description. If this is the case, check out our resources for similar roles to complete your job posting:

• Project Manager
• Writer
• Assistant Project Manager