Assistant Editor

The Brennan Center For Justice; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time-off program

401(k) plan

Comprehensive health insurance

Wellness and office perks

Job summary

The Brennan Center For Justice in New York City is looking for an experienced Assistant Editor to enhance editorial workflows. This role involves managing reports, ensuring clarity and accuracy in publications, and supporting various media formats.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and have two years of experience in editorial positions. The center offers competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and a commitment to diversity in hiring.

Qualifications

• At least two years of editorial experience at a publishing house or media organization.
• Outstanding copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking skills.
• Experience in project management and ability to work diplomatically.

Responsibilities

• Shepherd reports from manuscript through to publication.
• Enforce production schedules and update stakeholders regarding progress.
• Ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in text and graphics.

Skills

Copyediting

Proofreading

Project management

Fluency in Chicago style

Basic HTML

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, English, or related field

Tools

InDesign

InCopy

Drupal

Job description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in national security policies. Part thinktank, part advocacy group, part cutting‑edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them—in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

Position Overview

We are looking for an individual with excellent writing and editing skills to join our editorial team. The assistant editor will work with attorneys and scholars across the Brennan Center to ensure smooth editorial workflows and exacting editorial standards for reports, as well as ensuring similar standards for social media, podcasts, video, and other media. This role will report to the managing editor for publications.

Responsibilities

• Shepherd reports from manuscript through typesetting to publication, coordinating among authors, staff and freelance editors, and designers.
• Enforce production schedules, regularly update project stakeholders about progress, and maintain project management systems.
• Ensure that text and graphics are clear, accurate, and consistent with house style.
• Collate corrections from authors and proofreaders and implement them in InDesign or InCopy.
• Build or edit publication web pages.
• Draft concise and compelling display copy, promotional copy, and collateral content.
• Update style guide periodically.
• Copyedit or proofread newsletters, video scripts and subtitles, event blurbs, podcast copy, social media posts, institutional web pages, staff bios, and other materials.
• Advise staff on house style and editorial best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, English, or a related field.
• At least two years of editorial experience at a publishing house, media organization, think tank, or advocacy organization.
• Fluency in Chicago style (and good sense about when to deviate from it).
• Comfort working in InDesign or InCopy.
• Proficiency with basic HTML and familiarity with Drupal-based content management systems.
• A knack for translating sophisticated research and legal complexities into plain language.
• Outstanding copyediting, proofreading, and fact‑checking skills and judgment.
• Project management and diplomatic savvy to expeditiously move projects to publication.
• Familiarity with data visualization concepts and tools a plus.
• Knowledge of current debates in democracy reform also a plus.

Location

New York City, headquarters.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous time‑off program, 401(k) plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks. Salary range: $70,000–$80,000. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.