Chief Editor & Publications Lead

Smith College; United States; On-site; USD 87,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College in Northampton, MA, seeks an Editorial Director to lead the development and production of the flagship Smith Quarterly, the alum magazine, and other major publications in partnership with Admissions and Advancement.

The role requires an experienced writer and editor who can move between long-form features and shorter editorial pieces, manage complex production timelines and budgets, and serve as a trusted editorial partner across divisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications or related field.
• 8+ years in editing, writing, or publishing, preferably in a magazine, higher education, or institutional context.
• Working knowledge of InDesign or comparable production tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in long-form writing and substantive editing.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder publication production processes independently.
• Experience managing budgets and contracting freelance contributors.
• Excellent news judgment and ability to develop compelling story ideas across formats.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Smith Quarterly’s content, voice, and direction.
• Develop story budgets; assign and edit long-form features, essays, profiles, and shorter content.
• Lead an Editorial Board and coordinate with design, photography, and production colleagues.
• Identify, contract, and edit freelance contributors from assignment to final edit.
• Oversee all print production phases, printer relations, timelines, and quality at every stage.
• Manage the publication’s budget and resource allocation; maintain editorial calendars.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Story development

Long-form writing

Budget management

Project management

Freelance contracting

Diversity & inclusion awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications or related field

Tools

InDesign

Job description

Smith College in Northampton, MA, seeks an Editorial Director to lead the development and production of the flagship Smith Quarterly, the alum magazine, and other major publications in partnership with Admissions and Advancement.

The role requires an experienced writer and editor who can move between long-form features and shorter editorial pieces, manage complex production timelines and budgets, and serve as a trusted editorial partner across divisions.