Overview

In collaboration with the Executive Editor, the Managing Editor is responsible for developing, assigning, and editing content for Cancer Today, the AACR’s consumer magazine for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caregivers. This person helps manage editorial processes and sets editorial strategy. They ensure editorial consistency and help the staff and freelance writers meet editorial and production deadlines. In addition to working on the print magazine, the managing editor coordinates online and print sponsored content. The Managing Editor also consults with the Senior Editor to ensure digital and print offerings align and complement one another. The Managing Editor also works to identify gaps in coverage and opportunities for growth.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Cancer Today editorial team to develop the editorial line-up for each issue.
• Schedules editorial meetings for the print edition and helps shape editorial strategy for magazine.
• Works with the executive editor to assign and edit stories for the magazine.
• Develops writers’ briefs and assigns feature stories, providing clear direction and sources for writers.
• Plans editorial calendar, ensuring a strong mix of stories that serve the needs of readers.
• Offers clear editorial guidance to freelance writers to ensure articles are on target.
• Maintains freelance writer database to ensure timely follow-up to story pitches.
• Manages efforts of editorial team, freelance writers, fact-checkers, copyeditor, art/design team, and proofreaders to help staff meet production deadlines.
• Reviews scientific journals and meeting agendas, including those offered by the AACR, to identify trends and developments that impact clinical care.
• Attends scientific and patient advocacy meetings and events, either in-person or online, as needed.
• Oversees special projects, including sponsored content coordination with sales and marketing.
• Works with various internal and external stakeholders to develop relationships with advocates.
• Provides oversight of quarterly upload of each issue to the website.
• Writes Week in Cancer News briefs for website, sharing responsibility with staff members.
• Edits online content, as needed.
• Identifies opportunities to integrate online and print content to package content, when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) or more years of professional consumer website, magazine, or newspaper experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Demonstrated experience in managing editorial processes, including content planning, magazine production, and developing editorial calendars.
• Strong ability to write and edit engaging, accurate, and objective articles about science and medicine for a general audience.
• Skilled at interviewing multiple sources, including patients and researchers.
• Excellent project management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to reliably meet deadlines without fail.
• Strong commitment to accuracy and verifying claims.
• Ability to juggle and prioritize tasks.
• Excellent follow-through
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate as part of an editorial team.
• Experience covering cancer and patient advocacy helpful.

  TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES & SPECIAL SKILLS

• Experience with content management systems and SEO best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Understanding of publication layout, design, and production.
• Copyediting and proofreading skills.
• Knowledge of AP style.