Nature Conservancy magazine’s Articles Editor conceptualizes, develops, reports out, assigns, edits and/or writes inspiring and timely department and feature stories every issue. The Articles Editor is responsible for producing, in close collaboration with the other editors and freelancers, about a dozen department stories each issue, as well as at least four feature stories a year. The Articles Editor crafts a variety of stories for print, social media and web. The Articles Editor works in a tight-knit team environment that demands intense collaboration with other editors, designers, photo editors and field staff across the Conservancy. The Articles Editor reports to the Deputy Editor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Articles Editor tracks down story leads, cultivates staff contacts, researches stories, edits department and feature stories, assigns articles to freelancers, crafts captions and occasionally writes stories and other content, along with other responsibilities. Editing duties include proofreading, copyediting, substantive and structural work, working with fact checkers, assigning stories to writers and working with those writers on tight deadlines from story conceptualization through to completion and publication. In addition to thriving in an intensely collaborative environment, the Articles Editor is an organized self-starter who is careful to meet deadlines while crafting high-caliber storytelling and content. The Articles Editor also holds primary responsibility for managing several department sections of the magazine, and as such will be responsible for managing department story lineups, lead team meetings, preparing contracts, and helping commission maps, illustrations and other visual elements, among other duties. The Articles Editor will craft content for social media posts and the magazine’s website.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Researches stories, assigns articles to freelancers and edits/writes both department pieces and features.
• Responsible for meeting assigned project goals and objectives.
• Meets deadlines while producing high-quality materials.
• Tracks down story leads and builds out story ideas through phone interviews and original reporting.
• Editing duties include proofreading, copyediting, substantive and structural editing, and assigning stories to writers.
• Responsible for managing department sections of the magazine.
• Does not supervise staff but will coordinate the work and deadline schedule of peers and freelancers.
• Resolves issues independently within program area.
• Collaborates with photo and art/design departments to ensure articles have compelling visuals.
• Works independently without requiring detailed management review of general work.
• Manages and implements editorial projects from start to finish.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and at least 5 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience writing and editing for membership or newsstand magazines, newspapers and/or digital publications.
• Experience organizing and coordinating multiple projects and managing freelancers.
• Experience with writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in MS Office and Adobe InDesign/InCopy.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
• Familiarity with communication technologies, digital publishing and relevant social media platforms.
• Genuine interest in reporting on conservation issues.
• Comfortable collaborating with a team of remote coworkers.
• Ability to organize time, manage diverse activities and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge and application of current and evolving trends in journalism, conservation, and environmental issues.
• Experience leading or managing projects.